Customer Reviews

Globe

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this album shortly after it came out in 1990. Unfortunately, it disappeared from my collection years ago (most likely a victim of one of those 'permanent loans' to a friend). After picking it up again recently, I remember why it was one of my favorites. In an era short of any staying talent and long on one hit wonders, teen candy and quickly forgettable fads, The Globe stood apart from that crowd. The imagination and quality that went into this album is amazing, the proof of which lies in the fact that here I sit writing a review on it, nearly 12 years after it was released.

You will not be needing your CD player's fast forward button with this one, just pop it in and let the whole thing play. You might often find yourself rewinding to hear entire sections of songs again though. Many of the songs transend genre, being more a composition of vignettes, progressing from catchy rhythms to vocal samples to haunting chord changes and beyond. The mixture works, in spades. Quite definately an album you can put into your changer after not hearing it for years, and find yourself wondering why it had ever left.

This is hands-down one of the best pop albums ever recorded and at the very least, one of the top 10 of the 90s. After being a little funk/sample heavy on Megatop Phoenix, they rebounded with what I will always consider to be one of the great pop masterpieces.

This is simply one of the best recordings of the 1990's. There is not a lot of music that was being produced in the early nineties that is standing up to the test of time, this one does. I still find myself wanting to put this disc into my player now over ten years after I bought it.
A cool aside, throughout the liner notes the photos display the band wearing a lot of Stussy gear, apparently they were running with Shawn Stussy in this era, and I believe this album was recorded on the Isle of Ibiza apparently some tie in with Stussy and Ibiza and great music(I think New Order recorded Republic in this time frame on Ibiza as well). Pretty neat that the photos capture the high point of that design houses' output along with the apex of this band's work as well.
A truly unique, creative offering from an era of otherwise cookie cutter pop/grunge garbage. Long live The Globe.

I'm not a music critic, or a musician. I'm just your average music consumer. I love this album, mostly for it's originality, and if not for its originality, then for its individuality. Whenever I need inspiration, I get out this album. This album sits on my desktop right next to my two other favorite albums: Steely Dan's "AJA", and 10CC's "The Original Soundtrack". If you're looking for something different, this album will leave you wanting more.

1. The Globe (Single Edit) 3:48
2. The Globe (Single Remix Edit) 4:07
3. The Globe (12'' Mix) 7:44
4. The Globe (Dub Version) 5:44
5. The Globe (By The Orb) 9:22
6. The Globe (Instrumental) 4:53

Some people might just want the "Greatest Hits", but I'd actually rather have this album. It includes "Rush" and "The Globe", two hits that any alt-radio listener would know, plus the good tracks "Can't Wait/Live" and "Innocent Child". Also here is "Green Grass", which is a fairly catchy song, and I think contains a "Kate Bush" sample. The end of the disc isn't as strong, but it's still decent. Overall this is pretty good, it's no "Clash", but good.

This is probably their funkiest, party record. It's a smorgasbord of samples and riffs, all rolled up in a pop rolling paper. There were a lot of groups really working this angle at the time but probably the Beasties and BAD pulled it off best from a pop perspective.
Every track is tons of fun and the album really hangs as an album, not just a collection of songs.
While it's not my fave BAD, you can't go wrong at a party tossing this disc on.
My fave disc is Megatop Phoenix - just a masterful album. Funky and moving and transcendent. Still great pop sensibilities but it goes a bit farther on the songwriting tip. And the first CD is a classic too.

Mick Jones,former member of The Clash, still surprises with BAD. The sounds on this collection are more original and less dominating with regards to using samples as in the past. BAD is reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers at their best with some old Clash influences...The music is energetic,alive, and does not suffer from the candy-pop teenage garbage played on the airwaves nowadays. BAD uses so many musical styles and genres that you have to listen for yourself as to how entertaining these guys are. You want to analyze and pick apart the styles they use, but you just can't...

I was fortunate to find a copy of The Globe as an Australian import that inlcudes live material on a second disc. The very last track on the live disc is somewhat questionable since it's BAD's re-make of Prince's 1999 tune (which BAD's version is not all that bad). For any novice, this title is a sure thing. However, seek out the import Aussie version w/ extra bonus live disc;no regrets...

Mick Jones' post-Clash output has suffered from a grave sort of inconsistency. Big Audio Dynamite's Tighten Up, Vol. 88, which I bough two weeks ago, shows how the band could have a few decent ideas. However, that album's main fault was its lack of focus and directions. The songs were more like jams with half-spirited lyrics and repetitive motifs. 'Twas a fun album to make, I bet, but it wasn't on to listen to often.

Big Audio Dynamite II's album, however, shows a band with renewed energy and a more streamlined approach to its delivery. Now, songs don't prattle on in the pointless manner of the 1988 release. Instances of sampling have translated beyond vocal samples. Some tracks sample the synth from "Baba 'O Reily," one borrows from Kraftwerk, one nabs a bit of Phil Collins, and one even pilfers and loops a smidgeon of "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?".

Other songs are forgetable filler. What I've learned is that Mick Jones should only tinker with guitar noises if they retain a Kink-ed out influence. Otherwise, they're just rambling ditties. When he gets inventive and plays with synths, beatboxes and samples, however, he's a genius.

Hightlights include: "Rush," "The Globe," "I Don't Know" and "Kool Aid".

I'd suggest that, if you're curious about Jonesey's career, you try this album, plus some early B.A.D. and maybe you could even visit Carbon/Silicon's page and download their free tracks (this band consists of Jones and Gen X's guitarist, and they give away their music... nice!).

Found this album again. I bought it when it first came out. My then girlfriend was listening to anything but alternative music and even she was hooked. I feel nostalgic listening to it again now but damn if I'm not jamming out to it how many years later? It doesn't grow old or get stuck in a certain "time". This may be true with alot of alternative music. One of my favorite albums.