THE WAR OF THE WORLDS

Jeff Wayne

Crossover Prog

3.98 | 208 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

I was ten when Eve of War hit the charts. I was mesmerized. I had never heard anything like it. It is one of the songs that opened my mind to a whole new world of music.

Later I bought the album and I played it to death. And it stood the test of time for me.

The Eve of the War - A brilliant opener with great narration by Richard Burton. The theme of the album is so compellingly established here. Awesome. 10/10 Horsell Common and the Heat Ray - Ominous, foreboding, and brilliantly narrated and played 9/10 The Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine - The Martians attack and the song establishes the horror in a great way 9/10 Forever Autumn - At exactly the right point, the album comes with a song reminiscing what was lost 10/10 Thunder Child - A fitting closer to the first album. The earth belonged to the Martians. Ulaaaaaaah 10/10

The Red Weed - Eerie and somehow also beautiful. A great departure from the first album as here the Martians have taken over and established a new status quo 8.5/10 The Spirit of Man - Phil Lynott and Julie Covington are brilliant in their roles. For me, this song about hope vs despair is one of the absolute highlights 10/10 The Red Weed (part 2) - This second instalment of this song hammers home the hopelessness of humankind 9/10 Brave New World - At the absolute low point, this is a song of false hope that makes you feel there's no way this will ever end well 8.5/10 Dead London - The song starts ominously with the Martian theme, but then a hopeful piano takes over. This is the death of the Martians. How unbelievable that such a relatively short song can bring such a switch in the mood so quickly and seamlessly. 9/10 Epilogue (Part 1) - The apparent hopeful end of this horror. It would be brilliant if it would end here. 9/10 Epilogue (Part 2) - The final switch in the narrative leaves us devastated as the Martians return. 9/10

This is a one-of-a-kind and brilliant album. I give it 5 stars.

WJA-K | 5/5 | 2023-4-6

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this JEFF WAYNE review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to WJA-K
Report this review (#2904955)
Buy JEFF WAYNE music online with PA partners
Show all JEFF WAYNE MP3/Stream
Go to JEFF WAYNE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to The War Of The Worlds page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for JEFF WAYNE related discussions