Resistance is Futile (War Of The Worlds: Ulladubulla The Remix Album - Jeff Wayne - Soundtrack)

Member Name: Pingu

Product:	War Of The Worlds: Ulladubulla The Remix Album - Jeff Wayne - Soundtrack
Date:	14/09/00 (276 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see above

Disadvantages: having to get out of the armchair to switch CDs

War of the Worlds is an absolute stormer of an album. It belongs up there with 'The Wall' and 'The White Album' as an all time classic; an innovatory idea that I don't believe has ever been topped.

Strictly it's not a soundtrack, in that it doesn't accompany anything else. It's a self contained fusion of rock, elctronica and narration which tells the story of H.G. Well's classic novel of the same title. Richard -the Voice- Burton narrates the story of earth's domination by creatures from Mars, composed entirely of brain, and stalking the earth in giant killing machines. There looks to be no hope for mankind, until it turns out that these creatures' immune systems weren't prepared for earthlife, and they all die of common colds or something.

The music is absolutely brilliant! The dramatic opening chords have passed into the repertoire of motives that everyone recognizes, but can't place, along with the opening dadadadaaaaa from Beethoven's 5th. And there is endless electronic invention and bizarre sounds. More importantly, the music is very thoughtful, and infinitely varied. Although being often loop-based, repetitions carry subtle variations, so that it never becomes tedious in the way trance can.

This album has to be heard to be believed. And if you like it, there is also a double album of remixes from Ulladubulla, which are also fun if a little less innovative.

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