Who Wants To Play Bass - Armchair Martian

Advantages: Epic, Immersive, Brilliant, Rock Opera at its finest
Disadvantages: None

...of mankind. Julie Covington plays opposite Mr Lynott as the Pastors Wife, Beth, and the interplay between them is a real highlight. The CD itself (there are actually two CD's in the set, but you know what I mean) The musical style is a hybrid mix of classical, rock, folk, new-age synthesizers and goodness know what else, and while all this sounds like a mis-match, it works beautifully. Jeff Wayne has done a tremendous job of bringing all these styles together while at the same time reflecting the story through music and layers of sounds. CD 1 - The Coming of the Martians Track 1 - The Eve of the War - 9'07 "No-one would have believed, in the last years of the nineteenth century, that human affairs were being watched from the timeless worlds of space." This is my favourite track of the entire album. The chords are instantly memorable... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Funky, Melodic, and not one bad tune.
Disadvantages: Okay so it is a bit long I suppose.

.... There are some instant classics such as Tell Me Baby, Torture Me, and of course Dani California. There are also a few other unforgettable songs like Readymade, Wet Sand, and the touching Death Of A Martian, which was written about the death of bassist Flea's dog. One hing that can be said about this album is that guitarist John Fruciante is phenomonal. His solos in both albums have swept everything else he has done away, and his backing vocals aren't bad either! But then, with a man who released a record amount of albums in one year, what could we expect? The other musicians are great too: Flea is at his usual amazing bass playing state, Chad Smith is hitting those drums quicker than ever, and Anthony Kiedis' lyrics are inspiring. In a few songs we step away from the usual drug-related lyrics, to something more deep and special about Kiedis... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Superb, original, sounds great
Disadvantages: Bits can be a little cheesy (but not much!)

...by the unscrewing of the cylinder. Then we have a kind of wah-wah effect giving the aliens life. It's hard to describe the sound of the rest of the track, save it has a very alien sound, with well played guitars and and strange synthesised sounds and strings. The narrative continues throughout this, as the aliens emerge and men are set aflame by the aliens 'Heat Ray'. The Martians building machines in their pit. - The Artilleryman And The Fighting Machine The plucking sound returns to accompany the dialogue which fills this track. The journalist is met by an artilleryman (played by David Essex) who has returned from the common after the other soldiers have been wiped out by the Martians fighting machines. As the two men decide they must head for London, we get a reprise of The Eve Of War with some great guitar solos. It's now that we meet the Martian... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful