Released in March 1987, Saint Julian was seen as a storming return to form for Julian Cope. Signed to Island Records, his Iggy Pop/Jim Morrison side was cultivated, the weirdness dialled down, leathers were worn and a rock'n'roll microphone stand was utilised. The lead track "World Shut Your Mouth" gave Cope his first solo UK Top 20 hit, a big, brash slice of garage rock, it was a post-punk equivalent to David Bowie returning with Let's Dance; simple, straightforward. Backed by what Cope called his 'two-car garage band', the album reached No 11 in the UK chart, his highest placing to date whether solo or in The Teardrop Explodes, it also entered the US Billboard Hot 200. It's not all straight-ahead stomp, the eight minute closer "A Crack In The Clouds" harks back to the Teardrop Explodes' Wilder, and Kate St. John's oboe on the title track evokes his Mercury albums.
Released 20 September 2024
Catalogue number: UMCLP088
Pre-order LP
This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1987 Mercury Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.
Side 1:
1. Trampolene
2. Shot Down
3. Eve's Volcano
4. Spacehopper
5. Planet Ride
Side 2:
1. World Shut Your Mouth
2. Saint Julian
3. Pulsar
4. Screaming Secrets
5. A Crack In The Clouds
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.
Released 20 September 2024
Catalogue Number: UMCLP089
Pre-order LP
This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1988 Mercury Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.
Side 1:
1. 5 O'Clock World
2. Vegetation
3. Charlotte Anne
4. My Nation Underground
Side 2:
1. China Doll
2. Someone Like Me
3. Easter Everywhere
4. I'm Not Losing Sleep
5. The Great White Hoax