The band's first release was the self-financed "Fuse" cassette. Signing with Portsmouth based independent label Bite Back!, Cranes recorded the "Self Non Self" mini-LP in 1989, which led to them recording their first of two sessions for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show. They moved to the BMG offshoot Dedicated Records in 1990. With the addition of Mark Francombe and Matt Cope (both guitar), they released a series of EPs in 1990 and 1991 that preceded their debut full-length album, "Wings of Joy", which reached number 52 on the UK Albums Chart. Following a general softening of their sound, the introduction of pop elements to their music, and a world tour with The Cure in 1992, the band's popularity increased, and peaked with the release of the album "Forever" (UK No. 40), which contained their biggest hit single, "Jewel" (UK No. 29).