My Nation Underground

'My Nation Underground' is an album ripe for rediscovery. '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.