Globo - Whip It / The Day my Baby Gave Me a Surprise (Hydrogen Dukebox)
2/5
By: Chris O'Toole
Fusing a mixture of instruments and electronic approximations of instruments, Globo are an electro band with a rock heritage. Formed circa 1996 - coincidentally around the time of their first album, 'Pro War' - the group sound like a mild reinterpretation of late 90s pioneers Orbital or Underworld, but, sadly, without the hits.
To compensate they have here borrowed two stellar tracks from eighties regressive rockers Devo. The first, 'Whip' It, is the groups biggest hit. Here female, childish vocals are added to the background, the bass line is scaled back and the immediate, cracking urgency of the original is lost forever. Languid, restless, airy, the track meanders along for a little while, not sure of its sexuality, direction or intentions before disappearing into a light haze.
According to rumour, Mark Mothersbaugh, founder member of Devo, secured his first UK art show with the assistance of Globo, so they are obviously well versed in the history of the band. However, this does not seem to pay dividends when attempting to rehash their work; with the key feature of both seemingly an ability to fade from the left speaker to the right.
'The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprise' reminds a little of Lamb. Clicking and beeping sure, but little to hold on to. The sounds are tired and overworked, 'reach for the lazars' stuff without the irony. Dreamy vocals are draped over the top to give the track a natural feeling, but it rarely troubles the senses and is over as soon as it begins.
Both tacks will appear on a compilation, along with A1 People's 'Love Will Tear us Apart' and Metamatics 'Personal Jesus'. Could be good. We might get lucky.
Watch an animatic of 'Whip It' HERE.
Artists in this article: Globo
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