Their music selection was inspired and at times downright cheeky. That they opened the show with Fuck Buttons was hilarious. It went on to include snatches of everything from the more obvious Stones, Beatles, Led Zep, to randoms like The Specials, Soul II Soul, Happy Mondays, New Order as well as lots of Underworld (three tracks from this album alone). The experience of countless sets over 30 years together has given them a finely tuned ear for working a crowd, something they did brilliantly.
It was an awesome job and it seems that London 2012 will now be forever known the first ‘rock n roll’ Games (according to some of the broadsheets anyway)
So this now seems as good a time as any to go back and listen to some of their albums.
DUBNOBASSWITHMYHEADMAN was actually the third Underworld album. I always assumed it was the first but it turns out that there were two released before it – ‘Underneath the Radar’ (1988) and ‘Change the Weather’ (1989). Just Google the album titles and prepare for a couple of horrific album covers. The first features singer Karl Hyde as cyber-cowboy and the second as like some kind of greaser rockabilly dude! And If you like those here’s a YouTube link below to their big early single ‘Stand Up’ which apparently is still their biggest hit in the US, reaching #69 in the Billboard Hot 100. It sounds like Romford’s answer to INXS!
Anyway DUBNOBASSWITHMYHEADMAN was the first album of Underworld Mk2 which now consisted of Karl Hyde, Rick Smith and Darren Emerson. Guitars out. Drum loops in.
It sets the template for all following Underworld albums. Deep progressive house and fusions of dub, techno and acid house. Karl Hyde’s stream of conscious lyrics are often half whispered and barely audible much of the time.
It opens with ‘Dark & Long’ which is exactly what it sounds like. Heavy, dark, deep and pounding. Followed by ‘Mmm Skyscraper I Love You’ which at 12 minutes long is the albums longest track. Thirty-four minutes and five tracks in and ‘Tongue’ is the first respite from the big beats, a chill out track with heavy guitar reverb and samples of running water. It doesn’t last long because next Underworld roll out the heavy hitters: 'Dirty Epic' and 'Cowgirl'. Both thumping tracks guaranteed to get you off your ass. Then thing begin to wind down with ‘River of Bass’ and ‘M.E.’
Probably not the greatest Underworld album (for my money that’s ‘Beaucoup Fish’) but DUBNOBASS... does contain some absolute belters, particularly ‘Cowgirl’ which is always on my own running playlists. A guaranteed power song for getting me up Crystal Palace's steep hills.
'STAND UP' (Underworld Mk1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxdNS8WNSOY
'COWGIRL'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfH8qHFvEEY
'DARK & LONG'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwRMLpxjt58
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