[2][3] Boxcar independently issued cassette-only material including an album, P.C.M..[4] Their early work sounded similar to contemporaries, Cabaret Voltaire and Severed Heads.
[1] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, explained "the intention was to combine noise with a beat, technology with a decent song.
"[1] AllMusic's Michael Sutton felt they "sounded more like New Order [the similarity] is mainly in the weary vocals of [Smith], which easily recalls Bernard Sumner's melancholic tone.
"[3] Boxcar played live shows in the Brisbane area and then other capitals; at gigs they wore gas masks.
[2] They followed with two more singles, which also appeared on the Billboard dance chart: "Insect" (remixed by noted producer Arthur Baker) at No.
[8] Vertigo received mixed reviews from critics: AllMusic's William Cooper rated it at two-and-a-half stars out-of five and explained "[a]lthough the New Order inspired arrangements are derivative, Vertigo is redeemed by Boxcar's upbeat, catchy melodies";[10] McFarlane opined that it "was a very accessible collision of sound, song and dance beats.
The group toured Australia as supports for New Order, Depeche Mode, Erasure and then Pet Shop Boys.
[1] The Canberra Times' Nicole Leedham reported "[it] is pure techno and is best heard on a dance floor, but if your house doesn't come equipped with one of those the best alternative is to light some candles and lose yourself in the hypnotic sound.
"[1] Algorhythm was a notably more trance and house-influenced effort than the synth-pop of Vertigo and provided the singles "Universal Hymn", "What Are You So Happy About?"