How I Learned to Love the Bootboys
The Auteurs · 1999
35 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A sardonic blend of lo-fi guitar riffs and sharp, introspective lyrics that critique youth culture and suburban malaise.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
How I Learned to Love the Bootboys — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic core, using irony to explore masculinity and nostalgia in contemporary Britain.
-
→
Your Gang, Our Gang — This track stands out for its frenetic energy and vivid storytelling about social groups, showcasing Haines' knack for capturing the essence of youthful rebellion.
-
→
Sick of Hari Krisna — Here, Haines employs a catchy melody beneath sharp lyrics that critique spirituality’s commercialization in modern life, blending humor with social commentary.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's sharp lyrics and lo-fi sound create a distinct identity within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent lo-fi production style, with guitar riffs that often dominate the mix and create a raw sound.
- Lyrically, the tracks frequently employ irony and sarcasm, with verses that critique societal norms and youth culture.
- Several songs transition abruptly between sections, creating a sense of unpredictability in the song structures.
- The pacing varies significantly; some tracks maintain a brisk tempo while others slow down to allow for more introspective moments.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Rubettes 3:27
- 2 1967 2:42
- 3 How I Learned to Love the Bootboys 3:05
- 4 Your Gang, Our Gang 1:46
- 5 Some Changes 3:19
- 6 School 2:58
- 7 Johnny and the Hurricanes 3:51
- 8 The South Will Rise Again 2:24
- 9 Asti Spumante 3:27
- 10 Sick of Hari Krisna 2:51
- 11 Lights Out 2:10
- 12 Future Generation 3:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.