Dubnobasswithmyheadman - Underworld

Underworld's 1993 debut album "Dubnobasswithmyheadman" is far deeper than their recent work and contrasts especially with some of their more famous songs. "Born Slippy Nuxx" and "King Of Snake", for example, would sound completely out of place on this deep, dark and generally ambient album.

The majority of songs are composed from three simply yet highly effective elements: a deep, varied bassline, an ...
...There are exceptions, but for the large part "Dubnobasswithmyheadman" is constructed in this manner. Take the opening track "Dark & Long", a seven-and-a-half minute epic which progresses into a low-key climax with slightly seductive vocals built around a conventional 4/4 beat pattern. It is actually quite reminiscent of their remix of Bjork's "Human Behaviour", for those who have heard it.

The exquisitely-titled ... more

Underworld's 1993 debut album "Dubnobasswithmyheadman" is far deeper than their recent work and contrasts especially with some of their more famous songs. "Born Slippy Nuxx" and "King Of Snake", for example, would sound completely out of place on this deep, dark and generally ambient album.

The majority of songs are composed from three simply yet highly effective elements: a deep, varied bassline, an unhurried beat, and the obscure, rambling lyrics of Karl Hyde. There are exceptions, but for the large part "Dubnobasswithmyheadman" is constructed in this manner. Take the opening track "Dark & Long", a seven-and-a-half minute epic which progresses into a low-key climax with slightly seductive vocals built around a conventional 4/4 beat pattern. It is actually quite reminiscent of their remix of Bjork's "Human Behaviour", for those who have heard it.

The exquisitely-titled "Mmm Skyscraper I Love You" is more vocal with some wonderfully rhythmic, if completely nonsensical, phrases - 'my ninja power, my number-cruncher' - and a variety of other vocal clips including computerised vocal samples (not as commonplace in 1994 as they are today) and big repetitive loops fading into the background.

From these two similar opening tracks the album progresses into more adventurous territory but never fully leaves the basic sound pattern upon which it is constructed. Indeed, it later returns to it entirely with the eighth track "River Of Bass", which unfortunately is one of the albums more forgettable and repetitive tracks.

The third track "Surfboy" is a welcome change of pace, a more upbeat and complicated rhythm which develops, distorts and echoes until the bassline finally sews the track together neatly at around the two-minute mark. There are some excellent samples used in this less vocal-driven track, and also an excellent break which gradually drains the bass and beat away and holds everything at a calm, ambient point until the beat finally kicks back in again. One of the highlights of the album.

There are two other truly memorable tracks on this album, the next being the exceptional "Dirty Epic" (track six), which features in my 'Top 10 Singles' opinion. Everything about this track suggests something sinister, from the slightly sleazy half-whispered lyrics that dominate and direct the speed of the track, to the distorted horn samples and extra-deep bassline (even by Underworld standards).

The seventh track, and last of the highlights, is "Cowgirl" which was re-released in 2000 with an excellent remix by Bedrock which has been one of the most popular parts of Underworld's awesome live performances (it is the lyrics from "Cowgirl" which give the name to the live album "Everything, Everything"). This is probably the most club-orientated track on the album, with wickedly repetitive and hypnotic vocals building into a fantastic, almost acid house crescendo. Stunning.

On the whole the age of "Dubnobasswithmyheadman" is starting to show a little, as the sounds and samples are a little tame and primitive by modern standards, but on the whole it is the clarity of vision and quality of production that shines through this album. Ignoring its few duller moments, this is a great album.

With only nine tracks listed on the cover don't be put off by the apparent shortness of the album - it actually weighs in at over 72 minutes (approximately 8m per track) and is thoroughly worth the ridiculously low prices I've seen it on offer for in HMV recently. It might not have the massive head-banging rush of more recent Underworld releases such as "Beaucoup Fish", but is more relaxed and easier to listen to. Unadventurous by modern standards, perhaps, but wholly enjoyable nonetheless.  

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