Groove Armada – Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)
Groove Armada’s album Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) came out in 2001. It is chronologically sandwiched between two other fantastic albums that were released by the band/dj duo within about 5 years.
Vertigo came out in 1999. It is the album that originally got me into Groove Armada. I can still remember purchasing the CD at the A&B Sound that resided near Sunridge Mall, back in the day when music stores that actually sold music – not just anime toys and t-shirts – were a thing. I think I purchased Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) from the same store when it was released in 2001. Lovebox – the third in this unofficial-to-anybody-but-me trilogy of great albums, was released shortly thereafter in 2002. That CD I purchased at the late, great Megatunes on 17th. I purchased many an album there, including DJ Champion’s Chill Em All, which I wrote about in the past.
That spot now houses Vine Arts’ 17th Ave location. Don’t tell Andrew I said it, but I hear it is a pretty good liquor store.
Ahh, nostalgia. How is it that I have reached a point where I can mention things I did as an adult a quarter-century ago, yet I still don’t feel like an adult now?
Where was I? Oh, yes. Let’s talk about this album. Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) itself is about transition. Even the title hints at that. This showcases Groove Armada’s evolution from the more chillout-laden style of Vertigo and towards the glitzy, and dance floor style of Lovebox and the more guest vocalist packed albums that came after that.
So, where does that leave this album? Happily in the middle, and very comfortable in its own skin. It starts the track Suntoucher; an easy-going but driven groove that contains hip hop style lyrics and a fantastic sample for the hook. It reminds me of another great album opener that came out a few years later in 2005: Galvanize by the Chemical Brothers. The next track up is the more reggae-meets-the-dance-floor Superstylin’.
What I love most from Groove Armada, personally, are the more instrumental tracks. This album has some great ones such as Drifted, Fogma, Lazy Moon, and the absolutely fantastic Edge Hill.
That is not hyperbole. I would never, ever resort to that, obviously. Not in a million years. Regardless: Edge Hill is magical. It encapsulates what this album is about on one track. For me, it is the musical version of storm clouds splitting to let the sun shine in and remove all darkness. It starts slow and gloomy with a blown-out base beat and a sparse piano chord, before building to a crescendo of strings and acoustic guitar that let in the light while still paying homage to the clouds that were there before. It is a song that tugs on the heart and makes you smile at the same time.
I am introverted, and I am self-centred. Thank goodness I am extraordinarily humble despite also being outrageously attractive; otherwise I would be a full-blown narcissist. I am a sucker for albums that make me reminisce on my past while remaining cheerful about what is still to come. That is what both the track Edge Hill and the album Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub), do for me.
Cheers,
Evan
Perhaps we’re on our way
Perhaps we’ve gone too far
Perhaps we should slow down
Be where we really are
Bonus viewing: Groove Armada – Live from Defected at Ushuaïa Ibiza 2025