My Nation Underground

My Nation Underground is an album ripe for rediscovery. This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1988 Mercury Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.

Julian Cope had established himself as something of an establishment anti-hero with Saint Julian, and audiences who had been reacquainted with him were expecting more of the same. Instead, Cope changed his band line-up and attempted to mix funk and Krautrock on his new material. Chris Blackwell paired him with veteran US producer Ron Fair.

The album produced three singles, including "Charlotte Anne", which was a minor hit in the US. Album opener, "5 O'Clock World", a cover of a 1965 Vogues song, is light and poppy. The seven-minute title track, complete with strings and a harmonica solo, is one of the greatest (and perhaps only) attempts to merge go-go beats with post punk.

There is a great deal to enjoy on My Nation Underground, underlining Julian Cope's desire to continually push the envelope.