Globe of Frogs

Globe of Frogs is an album released by Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians on A&M Records in 1988. Made in London, it was recorded by the Egyptians (Robyn Hitchcock, Andy Metcalfe, and Morris Windsor) along with Pat Collier, and emerged as the group's debut after signing to major label A&M.

The album is densely produced, most of the tracks shying away from the group's signature electric guitar sound. Several feature surreal lyrics; the title track a case in point with its depiction of conscious floorboards groaning in pain and excited fish flipping in delight in their ponds.

Other titles include one of Hitchcock's best known songs, the minor college radio hit "Balloon Man" in which its central character explodes in the street, spattering passers by with remains of half-digested food. The single reached #1 on Gavin Report's Alternative music chart.^[3]

"Unsettled" is also note-worthy for Hitchcock, being his first attempt at a lyric with no inherent meaning, a string of randomised words constructed for their aural quality as opposed to logical meaning.

"Chinese Bones" has proved perhaps the most durable from the album, becoming one of Hitchcock's more frequently performed concert numbers.

The album was packaged in dark green, with one of Hitchcock's paintings on the front. The sleeve notes consist of his 'manifesto' in which Hitchcock advocates 'the organic' as opposed to the big business of 'insanity' and implores listeners to bury their televisions:

"All of us exist in a swarming, pulsating world, driven mostly by an unconscious that we ignore and misunderstand. Within the framework of „civilisation” we remain as savage as possible. Against the dense traffic of modern life, we fortify our animal selves with video violence, imaginary sex, and music…but our inflamed and disoriented psyches smoulder on beneath the wet leaves of habit."

Guest artists included Chris Cox, Peter Buck (from R.E.M.), and Glenn Tilbrook.

Track listing

1. "Tropical Flesh Mandala"
2. "Vibrating"
3. "Balloon Man"
4. "Luminous Rose"
5. "Sleeping with Your Devil Mask"
6. "Unsettled"
7. "Chinese Bones"
8. "A Globe of Frogs"
9. "The Shapes Between Us Turn into Animals"
10. "Flesh Number One (Beatle Dennis)"

References