Released on 08/01/2001
Label: Mantra

Taken from Saint Etienne's acclaimed 'Sound Of Water' album, 'Boy Is Crying' finds Sarah Cracknell and the chaps in a less commercial, more thoughtful mode than previous outings such as 'He's On The Phone', 'You're In A Bad Way' or 'Nothing Can Stop Us'.

That's not to say that they've lost the knack of crafting cool and classy music. 'Boy Is Crying' is dreamy dance-pop. It's dark, moody and melancholy with some sparkling jangly guitar and some niftily understated rock riffage. Meanwhile Cracknell's vocals are as soulful and pristine as ever.

The CD comes with two new tracks - the cinematic ambient bounce of 'Northwestern' and the handclapping, Northern Soul-pop stomp of 'Shoot Out The Lights'. All in all a class package from a class act.

    by Gary Crossing