Big Audio Dynamite II: The Globe

Big Audio Dynamite II: The Globe

1991

CBS Records

Format I Own it on: Compact Disc

Track Listing: 1. Rush  2. Can't Wait/Live  3. I Don't Know  4. The Globe  5. Innocent Child  6. Green Grass  7. Kool-Aid  8. In My Dreams  9. When the Time Comes  10. The Tea Party


A new version of Big Audio Dynamite with a completely new line-up. Mick Jones is the only holdover and  he sounds re-energized. This is one of B.A.D's best album.

A number of these songs ("Rush," "Can't Wait," "Innocent Child," "Kool-Aid," "In My Dreams," and "When the Time Comes" originally appeared in different versions on the "Kool-Aid" album that was only released in the UK...



 (That "Kool-Aid" cover is so ugly it's kind of awesome...I've just heard this album for the first time recently...It's kind of a more experimental version of  "The Globe.")

"The Globe" finds Big Audio Dynamite regaining the proper balance between innovative sampling and pop songcraft....The samples once again seem fresh and integral to the album .. Like Mick sampling "Should I Stay or Should I Go" on the title track (sure the rapping on the song couldn't be any stiffer but it's a good time anyway..), or the awesome Phil Collins sample on "Innocent Child." See, those are daring choices and their inclusion adds so much to the songs for a change, rather than something that's tacked on in-between tracks or interrupts the middle of a song...

It also doesn't hurt that just about every song has a killer hook..."Rush" and "Green Grass" are some of their best and catchiest songs, and "In My Dreams" is just a masterpiece...It somehow makes you feel good, yet it has a dark, haunting quality due to its effective use of samples..One of those songs it feels like you've known your whole life...But, really it's hard to single out any tracks, everything works so well...The only bum track is the closer "The Tea Party" which is just an operetta version of various songs form the album...but even that's pretty amusing...

If you visit the one dollar bin in any record store there's a good chance you'll find a half dozen copies of this album right next to copies of...



REM's "Monster"...



..and Civ's "Set Your Goals"...

.

....and Hanson's "Middle of Nowhere"...

...So do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "The Globe." Totally worth a dollar...I'd actually grab that Civ album too...I've always liked that record...



...I'd skip the copy of Chumbawumba's "Tubthumper" though...unless your collection of "biggest eyesore album covers of the 90's" collection is incomplete...

...Anyway, let's check out "Green Grass" by Big Audio Dynamite...