Dumbing Up [CD+DVD]

World Party | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: CD+DVD
• Label: Seaview
• ASIN: B000EWBKF8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,003 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After being given only a limited UK release four years ago, Dumbing Up has been expanded and is finally available in the US. 2002 was also the year that Karl Wallinger's longrunning, critically lauded and commercially successful World Party fell apart. With this album out and a return to touring, a new generation can be fully exposed to the resonant powers of Wallinger's songs. The first few bars of the opening "Another Thousand Years" make his love of pop smarts, and specifically The Beatles (with its shades of "Baby You're a Rich Man") readily apparent. Elsewhere, there are evident strains of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and other pillars of well-crafted songs. What makes World Party -- essentially Karl Wallinger -- so compelling is that fact that those influences blend into a singular identity. The references are incorporated into a whole, absorbed, but not hidden. --David Greenberger

Product Description

Dumbing Up marks the return of Karl Wallinger and World Party, recapturing the magic of previously acclaimed efforts such as Goodbye Jumbo and Bang!. During World Party's hiatus interest in the band has grown after their song She's The One became a worldwide hit for British pop star Robbie Williams. Dumbing Up reaffirms World Party's Lennonesque knack for memorable melodies and a hopeful perspective, featuring lead single What Does It Mean Now?, the prescient Who Are You? , See The Light and the anguished epic Always On My Mind. .Bonus DVD! The initial orders of Dumbing Up will contain a DVD featuring almost three hours of all that is World Party rare music video, archival footage, live and studio performances.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the One February 12, 2004

By "playloudrepeat"

Format:Audio CD

The only problem with World Party's music is the leisurely pace at which new material emerges. I have read all of the previous reviews of Dumbing Up, and here is my take.

First, I agree that the single Here Comes the Future does not mesh with the rest of the tracks. All of the World Party CDs after Private Revolution have a track or two that heads into Motown/soul/Prince territory with the falsetto singing. Those are not necessarily the tracks that I hit repeat on either.

But downgrading this CD because it does not measure up to the classic Private Revolution or Goodbye Jumbo is just crazy. What other artists out there are making music this good in the pop genre? I listen to tons of music, World Party has few equals.

Just for the record, on Dumbing Up, there are three songs that are as good as anything World Party has done, and that's saying a lot in my book: What Does It Mean Now, the very prescient Who are You, and See the Light. The rest of the CD is merely terrific. Take it off your CD player for a month or so (I did too), then put it back on after you're done with Radiohead and Verve Pipe and Starsailor and whoever else you are fancying these days. Five stars all the way.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Reissue yes, with added limited edition DVD loaded with videos! May 31, 2006

By D. Sloan

Format:Audio CD

First, this CD is great on it's own, as good as anything in the World Party catalog. It loses a bit of steam toward the end but finishes with the epic 8-1/2-minute "Always On My Mind." Wonderful.

As an "old" fan (I loved World Party back in the late 80's and early 90's), this US release of their 2000 album is welcome, because it caught my eye, whereas I had completely missed the original release. Not only that, but this includes a DVD containing over two hours' worth of material, mostly videos made for songs from all the studio albums, 1987 up through 2000. I suppose the "true" fan who kept up to date by getting this CD on import would have appreciated the DVD being sold separately, but for me, it's a 2-for-1 deal that's quite welcome.

Karl & gang have been away far too long. I'm so glad he's recovered from the aneurysm in 2001! Scary stuff. World Party is on tour this summer (2006) and hopefully we can all say "welcome back" to new songs soon!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A welcome World Party return... November 15, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

This album has some very strong performances from Kurt, and a welcome return back to the form of 'Goodbye Jumbo' and 'Bang'.

I felt on 'Egyptology' he really had nothing to say...good, safe melodies with absolutely no lyrical depth. This album finds him back to true form. Inspired Lyrics, strong melodies that grab you from the very first listen.

Don't be thrown off by the opening track...the rest of the album is nothing like it. In fact, after the first few listens I've programmed out the 1st and last song, which seem a little out of place with the rest of the album.

This album should be well received by critics and loyal fans, and should gain him some new ones along the way.