Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds
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Free Music Notes for Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds
Free Music Review: Great sound, flawed packaging
Hit: 4 Stars
This new edition of Jeff Wayne's classic work sounds much better than my old CD set, and far better than it ever did on vinyl. I'd give this edition five stars, if it weren't for the graphics on the digipak and on the discs -- beautiful artwork marred by large, ugly FBI anti-piracy threats. I wonder whether this insult can be avoided by purchasing a European or Japanese pressing...Free Music Review: Great 70's stuff
Hit: 4 Stars
Of course the narration and dialog was written before we knew very much about the impossibility of any kind of martian living on Mars. But if you can listen to the story with a pre- space race mind, this is great stuff. The music is top shelf, particularly the contributions of Justin Hayward. The whole thing has a kind of a "Moody Blues" or "Yes" feel to it.Free Music Review: Great Album, but Dreadful Sound on CD Layer
Hit: 3 Stars
As I don't (yet) have an SACD player I can't vouch for the SACD layer, but I can say that the stereo remix on the CD layer is dreadful - it sounds terribly artificial and lacking in air. I can't help but wonder if they deliberately did it this way to make the SACD layer sound better. Anyway, if you don't have an SACD player then get the 2000 20-bit remaster while you still can.
As for the music, this is IMHO a true classic and one of the top 10 albums of the 70s. It could so easily have been unbearably cheesy, but somehow they pull it off, and the result is a genuine masterpiece.
Free Music Review: Alright abduction
Hit: 3 Stars
Sci-prog is about half gimmicky cheese, and two quarters technically proficient/inspired fluidity.
Free Music Review: Magnificent, disco.
Hit: 1 Stars
The main theme is anthem-ic, but isn't that strong. That, and the whistling oscillations are injected willy-nilly and repeated too many times.
The guitar 'riffs' also have no bearing on the story lines. Inserted like many rock recordings, springing up from nowhere trying to show their mastery.
The background effects should have had more metallic.
Justin Hayward's voice is limited in range. If he wrote the lyrics to Forever Autumn then he's lacking in that area too. The images are generic and juvenile. As if copied from the back of a Hallmark Card, or TV commercial.
I guess the lyrics, if are supposed to be the journalist's wife, but could apply to anyone. In the story, the journalist was eager to unite with his wife, but didn't dwell on that level of mush, he was too busy trying to stay alive. He showed as much concern for all of humanity, not just her.
The summer sun is fading as the year grows old
And darker days are drawing near
The winter winds will be much colder
Now you're not here.
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky
And one by one they disappear
I wish that I was flying with them
Now you're not here.
Like the sun through the trees you came to love me
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
Through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way
You always loved this time of year
Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now
'cause you're not here
'cause you're not here
'cause you're not here
Like the sun through the trees you came to love me
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
A gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes
As if to hide a lonely tear
My lift will be Forever Autumn
'cause you're not here
'cause you're not here
'cause you're not here
Through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way
You always loved this time of year
Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now
'cause you're not here.
Reeks of sap that harlequin romance books are printed with.
Thunder child is at least pertinent, but is far too glorious for the doom it is to meet.
The Martians chant, 'Ulla' lacks any alien power to it. In fact, I didn't know what it was until told by a friend.
Ulla . . .? NO-NO-NO. Not sung by some atmospheric choir in a church. If they had to use that word then draw it out, and give it a much deeper and resonating quality. Like:
Uuuuu . . . LLaaaaaaaa. As if coming from inside the tripods, or cylinders.
The musical components are used like tape loops, often blasting out or sneaking in anywhere, along the story. Over and over.
Richard Burton is superb of course. It's hard to top his voice. I was however, surprised to hear him. Wondering throughout, how he liked sharing the stage with the others, or being drown out or interrupted by the mixer on the board. I'd have preferred hearing only him.
Overall, grabs me as pop, not rock. And more disco than both.
This is AIMHO, not meaning to start a riot.