Boyracer’s second LP entitled We Are Made of The Same Wood was released in 1995, immediately recorded after the band’s first tour of the United States. At this moment in time the band had started to make waves through the U.S. indie scene, garnering fans through their shows. They also gained a new drummer in Ged Megurn. With this experience comes a more refined and focused offering compared to their debut. We find the band doubling down on their style of fuzzy indie punk, with Steward Anderson’s melancholic voice being more prominent in this 12-track listing.
The band still happily indulges in a few experiments here and there, but overall We Are Made of The Same Wood is more consistent. The band’s confidence in their lo-fi sound is slowly being funneled into a more downcast and emotional mood. Forming into what I think is a solid representation of Boyracer’s sound during this era.
“Twisted Love” pits scrappy guitars with lush string work, a dynamic strengthened by bassist Nicola Hodgkinson and Anderson’s vocals melding in two contrasting harmonies. “Post Modernist Retro Bullshit” brings the band back into their blistering punk energy, albeit in a more subdued mood compared to the raging frenzies of their debut. “Your Dark Secrets” finds the band in their most cohesive noise creation to date, with clashing guitars perfectly complementing Anderson’s strained musings.
A few instrumentals are present in this record, which features the band on their wackier experiments. “Finger Pie” is a catchy dance tune with synthetic instruments. “Bring Me The Hair Of Phil Oakey” is a shoegaze-y exploration that stretches its minimalist elements to great heights. But by far the LP’s closer holds the trophy for most creative track yet. “Serious Teeth” is composed of a mosaic of recordings blended together – from radio news recordings to sounds of the band hanging out during recording sessions – all this with a sincere slow-burn of a song in between.
We Are Made Of The Same Wood coincides with the time where the band received more commercial success and exposure. This was no doubt due to being signed by New York’s Zero Hour label. But I’m more inclined to think that this is due to them gaining a considerable improvement on their craft in this wonderful second offering.