Musick the Needed Work: U - Underworld

 

Underworld was a UK electronic outfit, the brainchild of multi-instumentalists Rick Smith & Karl Hyde after their previous band Freur disbanded. In 1987, Hyde, Smith, guitarist Alfie Thomas, bassist Baz Allen, & drummer Bryn Burrows formed Underworld (Mk1), named after the 1985 horror film Underworld, which was scored by Freur.

Freur was the name of the second band (following the art school collaboration, The Screen Gemz) of Karl Hyde & Rick Smith. The band was formed in the early 1980s in Cardiff, Wales by Hyde, Smith, & Alfie Thomas. They originally had only a graphic 'squiggle' for a name, but after getting a recording contract with CBS Records, the label  insisted on a pronounceable name. The compromise was that the squiggle be pronounced "Freur". 

Underworld originally released more song oriented funky guitar based pop over the course of their first two albums. Change the Weather was their second... 

 

 

Underworld - Change the Weather, Sire 925945-2, 1989.
all decryption codes in comments

Change the Weather
Stand Up
Fever
Original Song
Mercy
Mr. Universe    
Texas
Thrash    
Sole Survivor    
Beach

 

 

 

 

After a break from 1990-1992 to concentrate on their art/design project Tomato, Hyde & Smith relocated from South Wales to Romford, Greater London. At this time they recruited DJ Darren Emerson & signed to Steven Hall's Junior Boys Own label. After several releases & remixes as Lemon Interupt / Steppin' Razor, they readopted the Underworld (Mk2) moniker. On following releases, the duo favored a more dance oriented techno sound. Underworld is known for their atmospheric compositions with Hyde's cryptic stream of consciousness lyrics.

 

 

Underworld - Dubnobasswithmyheadman, Junior Boy’s Own jbocd1, 1994.

Dark & Long    
Mmm Skyscraper I Love You    
Surfboy    
Spoonman    
Tongue    
Dirty Epic    
Cowgirl    
River of Bass    
M.E.

bonus track -
Dark & Long (Dark Train version) 

Underworld - Second Toughest in the Infants, Junior Boy’s Own jbocd4, 1996.

Juanita : Kiteless : To Dream of Love    
Banstyle/Sappy’s Curry    
Confusion the Waitress    
Rowla    
Pearls Girl
Air Towel    
Blueski    
Stagger

bonus track - 
Born Slippy (nuxx)

 

 

 

Enjoy,
NØ