A legitimizing stunner, Split prevented the band from being lost amidst the welter of form-over function dream pop bands, breaking free of the cliches that Lush's contemporaries were clinging to. It's a fantastic record by any standard.
Ciao! is a decent summary of the band's eight-year existence, collecting most of their singles, several album cuts, and one of their better B-sides. Those who go on to check out the band's studio albums on the strength of Ciao! will be happy to discover plenty more strong songs - Ciao! hardly drains the pool.
For Lush's first proper full-length, the band opted to work again with Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie, who had produced their earlier EPs. The album reached the British Top 10 and topped the UK indie charts.
