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Rating:
“World Machine”, the fifth studio effort by Level 42, set the stage for the rift between the Gould brothers, Phil in particular, and Mark King (charismatic leader, as well as a top-notch bassist).
The collaboration endured for two more years, a sufficient time to reach the peak with “Running In The Family”. But by then, the die was cast.
The facts, as simple as in many bands: different inclinations, aspirations, and tastes.
Born as a fusion band, with jazz splashes and funk inclinations, Level 42 were slowly but steadily giving way to pop.
And if, as we said, the successor “Running In The Family” makes the decisive leap, “World Machine” only makes the move.
Take the two extremes of the album; they will help to understand.
Feeling the pulse of the fans, the most appreciated track of the album seems to be “I Sleep On My Heart”. A sentiment that I agree with. A complex track, not very radio-friendly but essential and characteristic in defining the band's traits. Conversely, it was “Something About You” that catapulted them in America, a sugary pseudo-ballad with no stylistic ambition, played decently but without flair or contortions.
Moral: where is the truth?
The prelude is that Level knows how to play, their approach to instruments is polished, superlative in King’s case, but probably an identity crisis was underway.
At the time: not all melodic pop should be written off as mediocre. “Leaving me Now”, in the opinion of the writer, is a substantial, pleasant, absolutely decent track.
But what can those who identified with “Love Meeting Love”, “Love Games”, “Turn It On” think?
And here comes the interesting part: the fan, because they are fans, if satisfied by the past, rarely lets go: but becomes critical, grumbles, takes a certain distance, and that’s fine.
Nonetheless: the album is released in 1985 where King and Lindup make the decision without subjecting it to a plenary interrogation of the rest of the band and veer. They veer with grace, with politeness, but captivated by stadiums, by big stages, they choose to leave corners and small spaces.
They won’t be the only ones, in that era.
Having made this (long, and I apologize) necessary premise, it must be said that the album is worthy, solid, fluid.
Decent is the title track that opens the work, there are pleasant peaks (the already mentioned, melancholic “Leaving Me Now”, precursor of Zarrillo's 5 days, “I Sleep On My Heart”, “Good Man In A Storm” and the verse of “Lying Still”) but also negligible episodes like “It’s Not The Same For Us”.
“World Machine” is indispensable for those who love Level 42, essential for those who want to approach them, necessary for those who have recently discovered them.
Because there is everything: the past, the contingent period, the desire to break out of the mold, the compromise.
And there are also amnesias: tracks that start off great, but then dawdle (I mentioned “Lying Still”).
As I said, in two years, the Gould brothers, Phil and Boon, crucial lyricists of the project, as well as drummer and guitarist, will say goodbye.
The first, will seek a reunion in 1994 during the sessions of “Forever Now”, but just before setting off on tour, as old disagreements resurfaced, he will disembark again.
The second, will remain on good terms to the extent of handling the lyrics for King’s solo album in 1998. A few months ago, he was found lifeless. Heart attack. He was 64.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 World Machine (05:16)
some folks try
to multiply
from sunrise to sunset
leave behind
more of their kind
so no one will forget
but that ain't where I'm coming from - today
those easy girls don't turn me on - anyway
I wanna know where my pride has gone
the party's over
caught in a dream
inside this world machine
teachers teach
and preachers preach
of spiritual evolution
but this big I am
from uncle sham
just adds to my confusion
I've seen his face, I've heard his song - before
but I don't care what time he's on - anymore
I must have been on the streets too long
the party's over
caught in a dream
inside this world machine
I find myself outside your door
trying to make it like before
but you don't follow what I say
and I can tell by your smile
you're no longer a child
that part of you was buried yesterday . . .
. . . who knows
why they come and where they go
in this world machine?
it's the chosen fools
who make the rules
that don't apply to me
with their fast-car games
and counter claims
not my reality
and I don't know if I belong - today
I don't know why my friends have gone - away
I must have been on the streets too long
the party's over
caught in a dream
inside this world machine
(don't knock the system - we'll knock some sense in you
don't beat the system - there's nothing you can do)
02 Physical Presence (05:27)
I leave as I enter
another boy caught in-between
now all I can muster
are whispers to your screams
don't you remember
how you eased my disgrace
don't you remember
the love you saw in my face
perfected in silence
a physical presence
perfected in silence
a physical presence
I sought affection
but now I realize
a cold rejection
the movement in your eyes
but I can remember
when you shook against me
I can remember
when I saw what love could be
perfected in silence
a physical presence
perfected in silence
a physical presence
ain't what she did
it's the way that she did it
when I couldn't give
only she could forgive it
ain't what she did
it's the way that she did it
as long as I live
it's for me to re-live it . . .
silence . . .
part of the answer
is that there's really no escape
part of the answer
is that life can have such perfect shape
don't you remember
all the nights you shared in my disgrace
don't you remember
that the love that filled this empty space was . . .
. . . perfected in silence
a physical presence
perfected in silence
a physical presence
03 Something About You (04:26)
Ooh ooh
How how can it be that a love
Carved out of caring fashioned by fate
Could suffer so hard
From the games played much too often
But making mistakes is a part
Of life's imperfections born of the years
Is it so wrong to be human after all
Drawn into the stream
Of undefined illusion
Those diamond dreams
They can't disguise the truth
That there is something about you
Baby so right
I wouldn't be without you baby tonight
If ever our love was concealed
No one can say that we didn't feel
A million things
And a perfect dream of life
Gone fragile but free
We remain tender together not so in love
It's not so wrong
We're only human after all
These changing years
They add to your confusion
Oh and you need to hear the time
That told the truth
because there's something about you
Baby so right
Don't want to be without you
Baby tonight
Because there's something about you
Baby so right
I couldn't live without you
Baby tonight ooh ooh
To feel there's something about you
Baby I couldn't sleep without you
Tonight
04 Leaving Me Now (05:02)
It seems true love is so rare
Seems all I've known is deceit
Your laughter fills the air
Once more I'm sensing defeat
And I suppose you're leaving me now
I was so sure, now I'm so full of doubt
And I suppose you'll be leaving this place
Just like the smile you've wiped from my face
This time
I always gave my best
Your memory serves you so badly
Some people kill for less
Yet I'd still die for you gladly (so gladly)
But I suppose it's my turn now
To play a scene that's familiar somehow
I turn the page and you walk away
Not even love could bring you to stay
This time
Walk away, it's so easy
Once more I'm learning
In the depths of my despair
Your lies confirming
True love is so rare
And I suppose it's my turn now
There's no more love, only feelings of doubt
Gone with the hope your words have erased
Gone with the smile you wiped from my face
Love is a ship we all hope to steer
Through troubled times, 'cross an ocean of tears
A midnight sea that swells in your eyes
Takes just one look to know I'm still mesmerised
But I suppose you're leaving me now
I was so sure, now I'm so full of doubt
I turn the page and you walk away
Not even love could bring you to stay
This time
Leaving me now
Leaving this place
06 It's Not the Same for Us (04:38)
I know you live on my street
I sometimes wonder
Why we don't meet
I've seen your face in the sky
Twenty-five stories high
You never come down to earth
Communication (communication)
Could hardly be much worse
Don't keep me here in the dark
I want to be your friend
Your fears are way off the mark
(Bridge)
Every generation
Sees it their own way
Never learning their lessons
Making the same mistakes again
(Chorus)
It's not the same for us - as history fades away
It's not the same for us
It's not the same for us - you must hear me when I say
It's not the same for us
Look out on this brave new land
Think of the future
The future that lays in our hands
Our leaders live in the past
We can change it
There's something to hope for at last
(Bridge)
(Alternative Chorus)
It's not the same for us - as history fades away
It's not the same for us
It's not the same for us - do you hear me when I say
It's not the same for us
(It's not the same for us)
What dreams are you chasing now?
What are you living for?
(It's not the same for us)
The problems that we're facing now
Nobody faced before
(It's not the same for us)
Please don't reject me
In anger or in sorrow
(It's not the same for us)
You've got to accept me
If we're to make a better tomorrow
It's not the same - it's not the same for us
(Repeat to fade)
07 Dream Crazy (03:54)
dream crazy
we change too fast
take cover
cos it can't last
(it's a) cold crime
a deadly sting
there's no time
to talk of deadly things
well there's no lifetime guarantees
but I see you and you see me
let's spend the night on love's deep sea
and let emotion set us free
I love the way you start to glow
I love the way your body flows
stand easy
it's a party crash
so sleazy
let's make a smash
cool colors
set the scene
dive into
the neon love machine
you know my love's a guarantee
so dance a dance of love with me
your body's moving like the sea
now we're as close as we can be
(Chorus)
I love the way you start to glow
I love the way your body flows
that's the way the party goes
and it's a way everyone knows
well there's no lifetime guarantees
but when you you're making love to me
we'll ride the waves of ecstasy
and let emotion set us free
(Chorus)
dream crazy
dream crazy
09 Coup d'etat (03:43)
on the border
there's disorder
now they've gone too far
wait for the coup d'etat
fragmentation
we don't know who we are
wait for the coup d'etat
no choice
look what we've become
world peace
at the point of a gun
the voice
that calls everyone
says fight
for a place in the sun
proud man's daughter
came through slaughter
but she still bears the scars
wait for the coup d'etat
declaration
'cross the nation
hailed as a rising star
wait for the coup d'etat
too late
to make any plans
the state
has met her demands
we wait
for the blood on her hands to dry
on the border
there's disorder
proud mans' daughter
came through slaughter
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By luigi42
World Machine is an extremely well-crafted work, complete in form and harmonic.
The perfect union between form and content, and then easily accessible.
