Cope, Julian: My Nation Underground - 180gm Vinyl (Vinyl LP)

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 180gm vinyl. Saint Julian had established Julian Cope as something of an establishment anti-hero and audiences, who'd 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 and 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 as it does Julian Cope's desire to continually push the envelope 5 O'Clock World, Vegetation, Charlotte Anne, My Nation Underground, China Doll, Someone Like Me, Easter Everywhere, I'm Not Losing Sleep, The Great White Hoax