Underworld - Dubnobasswithmyheadman

On 1994's Dubnobasswithmyheadman, Underworld took the sexy vocal groove of the epic "Mmm Skyscraper I Love You" and expanded it to album length. It's derivative, but by no means is it forgettable. With "Skyscraper," Underworld created the perfect club track; it was dark and dubby, with a relentless groove chugging along below atmospheric noises and a sinister, suggestive vocal. Extended to over an hour, it's a long and seductive hypnosis session, a decadent film noir journey through dark impulses and impure thoughts. Vocalist Karl Hyde provides a monotonous, stream-of-consciousness narrative which, when chopped and rearranged, reveals a quintessentially British reserve that keeps the album mysterious. This is functional music, perfect for driving and, ahem, other repetitive activities. --Matthew Corwine