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 Post subject: The War of the Worlds - Review
PostPosted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 7:13 pm 
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Martian War Lord

Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 7:01 pm
Posts: 1259
Location: UK
FROM : http://entertainment.iafrica.com/music/ ... 479001.htm

This one's a bit of an oddity. The brainchild of a jingles producer, helped out by his father and step-mother, 'The War of the Worlds' was a retelling of H.G. Wells' classic novel — in musical form.

As if that wasn’t strange enough, Jeff Wayne, the project's mastermind, managed to assemble a cast that included Mr Elizabeth Taylor; the woman who belted out 'Don’t Cry For Me Argentina'; the lead singer of Irish rockers Thin Lizzy; Justin Hayward of '60s slush-popsters The Moody Blues; and the Gareth Gates of the '70s.

As you'd expect, the results were a blend of symphonic pop, psychedelic rock and — this being the '70s — disco. It was, to put it politely, pompous and self-indulgent but instead of being washed away by the punk tidal wave of the time, Wayne's opus went on to sell a ludicrous number of copies and bore its way into many hearts.

Now 25 years later — timed to coincide with the Cruise-Spielberg movie, cynics may scoff — it's been resurrected in remixed and remastered form, with expanded liner notes and deluxe packaging.

And while Richard Burton's droll narration of the twee narrative, the dated dance beats and cheesy synths of the instantly recognisable 'Eve of the War', and Phil Lynot's over the top vocals are unlikely to attract a new audience, this re-issue is a worthy replacement for your battered copy.

But while it's easy to snigger at the symphonic pops music and just how earnest everyone involved sounds, you can only marvel at Wayne's epic vision, bravery and undoubted skills in the studio. Especially in this polished re-issue, the sheer intricacy of the recording and elaborate production techniques are as bright as the heat rays with which the Martians fried the hapless humans.

So, like the book, this album is something of a classic — one that may now seem a little worn out, but is still capable of justifying why it's still around.


Lee
Eve Of The War Webmaster
http://www.eveofthewar.co.uk
"The War Of The Worlds Website"

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PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 6:58 pm 
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Martian War Lord

Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:31 pm
Posts: 3365
Location: N.Humberside.UK
Pulling a compliment out of this guy is like pulling teeth. Hard and painful [-(


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