The band soon signed with Mantra, a subsidiary of Beggars Banquet Europe and Japan, and MCA Records in the United States, who issued a reworked version of the Barrier EP. They released their debut album, Goosefair, on 26 April 1996. The album peaked at No 53 on the UK Albums Chart and received good critical reception, with AllMusic critic Jack Rabid calling the material a mix of "wild catchy pop and charged rock and roll" and Hybrid Magazine's Tom Topkoff praising the group for its heavy pop prowess. Extensive international touring followed in support of the album, including dates in North America, Bosnia, and Sarajevo,The Big Takeover #40. 1997. and shared bills with Ash and Supergrass.
