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Dumbing Up

World Party

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Album Review

After a three-year absence, Dumbing Up marks the return of leader Karl Wallinger, and he manages to recapture the magic of previous efforts such as Goodbye Jumbo and Bang! During Wallinger's hiatus, interest in the band had grown after their song "She's the One" became a hit for British pop star Robbie Williams. For the most part, Wallinger delivers, ably demonstrating his considerable strengths as a writer, arranger, and lyricist. The album is a mix of influences, but chief among them is Bob Dylan. Several songs, such as "Who Are You," feature bare-boned guitar arrangements that let the wordplay stand out. Other '60s influences abound. The lead single, "Here Comes the Future," is an intriguing bit of retro-soul while "Another 1000 Years" plays like a Beatles ballad. After a lackluster 1997 release, Egyptology, Wallinger redeems himself with an agreeable album that is more comforting than it is groundbreaking. [Dumbing Up was reissued in 2006 with a bonus DVD containing over two hours of material.]

Customer Reviews

The album reviewer from i Tunes is "lackluster"

Egyptology was far from lackluster. If any World Party album even approachs "lackluster", it's this album. Karl definetely "peaked" in the Bang!-Egyptology era. Bang! is easily his masterpiece. This album is a review then pick-and-choose album. I suggest Til I Got You, Who Are You?, Here Comes The Future, I Thought You Were A Spy, High Love and Best Place I've Ever Been.

Accept No Substitutes

I got hooked by Here Comes the Future and went on a diving expedition through the World Party catalogue. I was amazed how many pearls I found there! How has this guy kept himself such a big secret? Apparently, the music industry is hip to him as I hear watered-down versions of the same thing in much bigger acts today. I like the sense of fluidity to his music—how it can take you in a certain direction then spin you on a dime into a new and unexpected direction, and then—sometimes back again (or a few times). The musical equivalent of a brilliantly colored-leaf yielding to the swirling eddies of a stream.

Wow!

I was sceptical of what Dumbing Up would sound like after World Party's long hiatus. To say I'm blown away by this album may be an understatement. Karl Wallinger is back and better than ever. Smart, funky, fun, and complex are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when I think of this effort. Do yourself a favor and give this one a chance. You'll be happy you did.

Biography

Formed: 1986

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

World Party began as an outlet for the pop infatuations of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Karl Wallinger, previously best known for his tenure with the Waterboys. Born October 19, 1957, in Prestatyn, Wales, Wallinger grew up enamored not only of the Beatles but also of the Motown and Merseybeat sounds, and made his professional debut in 1976 as a member of the group Quasimodo. (Years...
Full Bio

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