Globo

CD - This Nation's Saving Grace

Play 90 second soundbite of 'What You Need' @ 'CD quality'

Well, this really is something different; Globo have completely re-rendered The Fall's entire classic album, 'This Nation's Saving Grace', into an experimental electronic visitation. If you were hearing this for the first time it would be pretty damn cool. If though, like millions, you're thinking about the original as you listen then things might be a bit different. I'm confused about this work and I can see similar dilemma's ahead for Globo as comparisons are drawn and discussions ensue. Is it plagiarism? No, it's admiration and recognition for what was a very clever and, it has to be said, different piece of work! But, for me, the confusion just doesn't go away that easily!

Electronic experimentalists Globo have taken the ground-breaking album and metaphorically shoved it up its own arse with a melee of electro sounds, samples and programming inserts. Globo openly admit their admiration for the original work and they've taken on this strange project with great spirit and complete respect for the original. It really is a strange work; where does it fit in the general scheme of things, what section of the music public is it aimed at? It's difficult to know where it's going actually! I can't see Fall followers and electro experimentalists seeing eye to eye on too much, I just don't see where the market is!

Anyway, Globo have certainly put an awful lot of work into this album; they've managed to capture the unnerving naivety and idiosyncratic style of The Fall's adventurous work and at the same time kinda modernised it - I suppose!! This aint dance or disco stuff though - this is experimentation gone slightly barmy. Globo have employed guest vocalists to lay down the words whilst they blitz their way into micro-chip freefall. I have to say it's all very clever and it does work - the album is pretty compelling and almost childishly catchy. Fall fans won't really appreciate what Globo have done but there are many more electro-heads that are Fall virgins out there that'll hear this for the first time and see it as a unique and innovative work. And, as a stand-alone album in it's own right, it is damn bloody good. However, I'm still not sure whether 'This Nation's Saving Grace' by Globo is that commercial.

Globo have worked their collective butts off to transform 'This Nation's Saving Grace' into the sleek electro work it now is. Will their commitment, energy and time prove to be worthwhile? I'm not sure at all! Oh, it's clever. Oh, it's modern. But, commercial? Who Knows! 'This Nation's Saving Grace' by Globo is a risky album; Globo have gone all out to make the work their own whilst trying, pretty successfully it has to be said, to retain The Fall's artistic ethos and innovative sound. It's very clever, it works, but I don't know where or what it's targeting. Great work by Globo but an unusual and risky venture all round!

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