Customer Reviews

World Is a Ghetto

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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The title of my review says it all. For those of you that are into statistics and sales and chart positions and all that good stuff, you're probably aware that this is the only War album to top the pop charts. Of course, for my purposes, none of that matters.

Growing up, this was my SECOND favorite War album. As I became an adult, though, this one crept to the top of the list. Why? Perhaps it was the mood of the album. The album is very dark and downtrodden, and perhaps that's the beauty of it. Although the album was released a couple of years before I was born, it was an album that reflected the uncertain times: a few years after the murders of MLK & RFK, in the midst of American dissatisfaction with the Viet Nam war, and the soon-to-be-headline-making Watergate scandal.

Anyway, even though there's only six songs on the album, they are a WHOPPING six songs. Kicking things off is "The Cisco Kid." Honestly, if I had to name a single song that made me a War fan, it was this one. It's all in the bass line. For all you bass aspiring bass players out there, this song is SERIOUS PROOF that you don't have to slap to be STANKY.

Next, there's the Big Easy flavored "Where Was You At?"...a great little song, sad but upbeat. Then there's the epic "City Country City." The darkness rises in a big way. You get lots of what made WAR one of THE best: great group work, great individual solos, and the music never gets stagnant.

The things only get darker with "Four Cornered Room." I'll be honest: I like the song, but it's probably the spookiest song War ever recorded. Couple this song along with the totality of Sly Stone's "Riot" LP for ultimate in depressing, junkie-nodding music.

Than the culmination, the title song. Great song, great groove, great lyrics, great solos....

"Beetles in the Bog"? I like the song. It's sort of like one of those campfire sing-along type songs. Well, in this particular case, it's more like a song best sung around a fire lit in a garbage barrell.

This is War's masterpiece, an album no serious War fan should be without.

When I was 8 yrs old, this album was one of those
that my mom and her freinds used to get together
and vibe off of!
The extra long tracks like the haunting
"Four Cornered Room", the progressive
"Country City Country" and the lush and generous
title track harkens back to a time when sandalwood
incense was burning, a fat spliff or two was being passed
around among freinds with a little wine and the
music took you to another world!
The other tracks on here are just as good and stand the
test of time. WAR should definitely be entered into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because their sound was
original and creative, not to mention as influential as
their contemporaries like E,W&F, P-Funk, Ohio Players,
Mandrill, Tower of Power, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, Santana, etc.
Man, I cant wait til' this hip-hop and candy pop crap has seen
it's day and music of substance comes back in!
Also check out "Deliver The Word", "Why Can't We Be Freinds",
"WAR Live" and "All Day Music"...all good albums in
their own right!

If there was a rating of 10, this recording would definitely get it!!! War is my all time favorite group and this recording is my all time favorite HANDS DOWN! I originally purchased it on vinyl while in jr. high school. This music is so timeless, everytime I listen to it, it's like the first time! "City, Country, City" takes you on a musical Sunday afternoon drive. "Four Cornered Room"...what can I say about that? Close your eyes and explore the corners of your mind! This is a "must have" of those new to War. I think it is their absolute best!!!!

This album, which is one of my top 30 favorites, is progressive soul music. It's like Isaac Hayes in his heyday, when his albums like Hot Buttered Soul, Movement, and Joy had epic tracks on them, some running as long as 18 minutes. This is War's best album, with the title track and City, Country, City standing out. Even though there's only 6 songs, and most of them are fairly long, War was one of the tightest bands on the planet. The main theme of the album really resonates today, that the world is indeed a ghetto, because no matter where you go, trouble will find you. You can never cut yourself off completely from society (even though some try to). As the liner notes say, even a Rolls Royce can get a flat tire. If we realised that, we would get along much better, because we all live in this ghetto of a world. We should try and make it better.

The fact that even if you've never bought this album before most of the songs will sound delightfully familiar should give you an idea on the impact this album has made on American music. True, you can find most the songs on WAR's greatest hits and anthology albums (get them too !), however, hearing the full version of CITY COUNTRY CITY, a cut that alternates between a relaxed harmonica driven groove (the country) and hot and funky Hammond B-3 driven funk and soloing is worth the purchase alone. Most of the cuts on this album are memorable, winners, and have been covered over and over again by other bands, but none as good. If you like this group, check out Mandrill and also El Chicano ! ! !

Some albums just speak to you. This album speaks to me. Released originally in 1972, I believe, this album is in the "Tight Bands" hall of fame. I was a kid in those days, listening to my big sister's stereo, staring at the details of the large LP picture. This album helped me get schooled on the rich elements of good music, and it defies categorization. Comparisons? The title track, "The World is a Ghetto" is as distinctive as "What's Going On", "Mercy, Mercy Me", or "Makes Me Wanna Hollar". More than 25 years later, I can still go back and it feels as lively and as relevant as when it was made. Another comparison? War in "City, Country, City" is on par with Tower Of Power's "Squib Cakes" and dare I say it, with Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven"? Give a listen and you'll agree.

Riding the heels of success from 1972's R&B charted hit "Slippin Into Darkness". War enter familiar ground on the pop charts as well, crashing the mainstream gate with the smash hit "The Cisco Kid". Thus confirming the real reason why they had a top 10 hit ("Spill The Wine") with Eric Burdon. That reason being War.

War's exploration of gloom and doom becomes more evident here. The introverted "Four Cornered Room" slips the listener back into the darkness of their previous release ("All Day Music"), then exposes you to the harsh economic and political realities of the inner city world. That, coupled with Charles Miller's hypnotic sax make "The World Is A Ghetto" unforgettably cold and relentless. A war of worlds in our own back yard.

Although War's "The World Is A Ghetto" wasn't the cash cow "Why Can't We Be Friends?" was, it should be noted that it was every bit as important and vital than the slick and polished "Friends" ever was. "The World Is A Ghetto" was number 1 on the charts without all the hype and fluff. This is definitive War. (((zoom zoom zoom)))

olofpalme63

This is a classic '70s masterpiece. Released in late 1972,it features one of FM radio's chief support tunes, "The Cisco Kid". A delicious blend of rock, funk and soul with a dash of Latin flavor, this CD has staying power. My favorites on this disc include "City, Country, City", "Four Cornered Room", "The World Is A Ghetto" and of course my friend Cisco.

This one comes out of the box on fire and smokin' with "The
Cisco Kid" and stays hot though out. At times a bit mystic,as in
"Four Cornered Room" and the instrumental "City,Country,City".
Great harmonization on the tittle track combine perfectly with
the blazing instuments. Every song is first class,and stand well
on their own. When combined on the cd,they fit together
seamlessly to make a truely fantastic listening experience.
Highly recommended.
Thank you

This is my favorite WAR album. I can listen to this anytime and still get such an amazing vibe. The music just moves you. The title track alone is worth the listen. The saxaphone solo in the center of the song is absolutely amazing and makes the song even more interesting. The single version of this song omits the sax solo which is very upsetting. Another track worth listening to is "City, Country, City" which gives each bandmate a chance to solo. Clocking in at almost 15 minutes it takes you on a journey through the country and the city. The other epic track on this album is "Four Cornered Room" which clocks in at about 9 minutes.
If you are into jazzy soul this is the album for you.