Underneath the Radar is the debut album by Underworld, released in 1988.[5][6] The album was a success in Australia, South Africa and the US (where it reached number 139 on the Billboard 200). The title track of the album was released as a single which reached top five on the ARIA singles charts and number seventy-four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
| Underneath the Radar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 16 February 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1987 | |||
| Genre | Funk, rock, synthpop | |||
| Length | 48:06 | |||
| Label | Sire[1] | |||
| Producer | Rupert Hine[2] | |||
| Underworld chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Underneath the Radar | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
The album was recorded in one continuous single take and was promoted as such to underscore the technical expertise of the band members.[7] Promotional appearances for the album's release featured the band playing the entire album live and in sequence.
Critical reception edit
Trouser Press wrote that "Rupert Hine’s production of Underneath the Radar gives it a sturdy dance backbone and the familiar sound of late-'80s British techno- beat; Heaven 17 leaning towards the Thompson Twins."[2] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide deemed the album "much more of a modern rock effort."[1]
Track listing edit
All songs by Karl Hyde, Rick Smith, and Alfie Thomas.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Glory! Glory!" | 5:42 |
| 2. | "Call Me No.1" | 5:05 |
| 3. | "Rubber Ball (Space Kitchen)" | 3:38 |
| 4. | "Show Some Emotion" | 4:24 |
| 5. | "Underneath the Radar" | 6:05 |
| 6. | "Miracle Party" | 1:26 |
| 7. | "I Need a Doctor" | 4:51 |
| 8. | "Bright White Flame" | 5:09 |
| 9. | "Pray" | 5:43 |
| 10. | "The God Song" | 6:01 |
Personnel edit
- Karl Hyde — lead vocals, guitars
- Alfie Thomas — guitars, backing vocals
- Rick Smith — keyboards, backing vocals
- Baz Allen — bass
- Bryn B. Burrows — drums
Production edit
- Produced by: Rupert Hine
- Recorded and Mixed by: Stephen W Tayler
- Assisted by: Andrew Scarth
Charts edit
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[8] | 32 |
| U.S. Billboard 200[9] | 139 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[10] | Gold | 35,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 1181.
- ^ a b "Freur". Trouser Press. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 349.
- ^ "Underworld | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ Thompson, Dave. "Underworld Dubnoboxsetbasswithmyheadman". Goldmine Magazine: Record Collector & Music Memorabilia.
- ^ "Happy Anniversary: Underworld, UNDERNEATH THE RADAR | Rhino". rhino.com.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Underneath the Radar – Underneath the Radar". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ^ "Underworld". Billboard.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 November 2021.