I'm not really sure if Philip, Joanne and Susan regard this album as part of their oeuvre nowadays as it wasn't included in the recent "The Virgin Years" box set. However, they have played tracks like "The Path of Least Resistance" and "Empire State Human" live so it must be considered canon in some way.
To me this record sounds rather naive and certain sources would have us believe that this is because it was created at a time when electronic music was in its infancy. Yet by 1979 Kraftwerk had already released the highly polished "The Man Machine", Daniel Miller had created the seminal "T.V.O.D." and people like Jarre and Vangelis were nearing their commercial peak.
I think it is probably more accurate to say that the sound of this album is driven by something more fundamental: money (or lack thereof). Martyn Ware himself has pointed out that some of his contemporaries could afford much better equipment and were able to create better sounding records as a result. There are a lot of good ideas and strong melodies on this album, but the band didn't quite have the resources to polish their creations. Martyn Ware also suggests producer Colin Thurston diluted the sound of the band in what was his first outing as a producer.
"Almost Medieval" dates back to the very earliest days of the group and is a tangled tale about moving back in time. Much like early Heaven 17 material, this song doesn't flow and stutters along whilst Phil sings couplets like, "Jump off the tarmac there's no stagecoach speed limit. Outside the office hangs the man on the gibbet."
"Circus of Death" was originally a b-side but is presented here as a new mix which incorporates a few edits to reduce the running time. Once again Phil spouts some contrived sci-fi themed lyrics as Ian and Martyn tinker away with their synthesisers. The next two tracks "The Path of Least Resistance" and "Blind Youth" continue to deliver stuttering, angular rhythms set against ridiculous lyrics such as, "Dehumanisation, Is such a big word, It's been around since, Richard The Third."
In his autobiography, Martyn says "The World Before Last" sounds weak compared to the version they played live at the time, but I think this track is amongst the best on the album. Another stand out track is the single "Empire State Human" which was a concerted effort to create a hit single that failed.
One the b-side, "Morale...You've Lost That Loving Feeling" is not a track I enjoy. Whilst I know the band members found inspiration in blue eyed soul and R&B, it isn't a passion I share. I'm not sure where each of the two original compositions included in the medley "Austerity / Girl One" begin and end, but there are some really interesting ideas in here. Things end with the accelerating tempo of "Zero as a Limit" which lacks melody and is a bit of a disappointing end. 2/5
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