The iPod Observer

Music Review - Goodbye Jumbo

• Goodbye Jumbo

  • 4 out of 5
  • World Party
  • Reviewed by Robyn Weisman
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  • Released in 1990, World Party's Goodbye Jumbo was out of print for several years until just this month, when a remastered version was released in the United States. It's coincidental perhaps. I loved this CD when it came out but haven't listened to it for years, and so I guess I'm not the only one who thought it was due for a revival.

    I'm reviewing the original 1990 version, so I can't comment on any sonic improvements. The songs themselves are brilliant. There are hints of the Beatles and Big Star, but Karl Wallinger (who is World Party) does not sound derivative. His songs take unexpected melodic turns, such as the impromptu recital of "Mr. Postman" in the track "When the Rainbow Comes," and his lyrics are at once hopeful and despairing of the world in which he lives.

    And eerily the lyrics read as though they could have been written yesterday, when paterfamilias Bush was in the White House. In "God on my Side," Wallinger sings:

    Well, I see you objecting so strongly
    To the ways of the liberal disease
    And your armchair satisfaction
    As you narrow the meaning of free

    This album may be called Goodbye Jumbo, but I say, Welcome back, World Party. Maybe it's time, Karl, you put out a new album.

    Favorite Songs: "Way Down Now," "When the Rainbow Comes," and pretty much all the rest of them.

    - Robyn Weisman

   

   

   

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Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:43 am

I remember when I saw WP sing Way Down Now on SNL years ago. It was awesome. I bought the record for that song and I still love it. The band was super cool. The bass player was funny cuz he kept mimicing Paul McCartney's head shake when he sang the "woo woos". The drummer was having a blast just pounding away. It was much more raucous than the recorded version. Overall, kind of a sad song with an upbeat melody.

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bweels said:

member since 24 Jan 2002 with 4783 posts, , send him a message or view his profile

Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:30 am

I don't even remember how I happened to buy Private Revolution when it was new in '86 or '87, but I did, and that's what matters. I've always loved it. So I have no idea why I never looked into any more of their (his) music. What would you recommend as future purchases, in order of priority?

Making it all come true this time

[Edit]

This topic needs to be locked due to spam attacks. If anyone can comment on my question I'd be grateful if you could send me a private message. Thanks!

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