Search - War :: Life (Is So Strange)

Just another nice War album

kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 06/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THESE GUYS HAVE NEVER PUT OUT A BAD ALBUM.



Released in 1983, this was War's nineth and last studio album, before breaking up (they would put out a final album 11 years later). It is 40 minutes long and the sound quality is very good.



This is a collection of 6 nice, rambling tunes. As always with War, the music is great and performance is great.



Life Is So Strange is a very typical War track. It is slow and a little bluesy, with the East LA influence. It would fit in with any of War's earlier albums.



Hapiness is a funky tune, with a great driving beat. The "hap, hap, hap, happy-ness" chorus may be a little over the top. Some will like it, others might not.



War III might be the best thing on the CD. It is a little bit progressive, and slightly veers from the classic War sound.



Shake It Down is a typical early eighties disco song. But, it better than most of the popular disco songs.



Summer Dreams might be the weakest tune on the CD. It is a lazy, slow, harmonica driven instrumental, so the title is perfect. It reminds me of the Rascals' Groovin', but without the lyrics.



U-2 is one of those classic, long, interesting and driving numbers that always end a War album. It on par with the greatest last tracks of any War album.



I didn't know whether to give it 3 or 4 stars, but it is a CD that I like throughout, although it does have some waaker tracks. But, if you are the type of who likes the hits, Low Rider, Cisco Kid or Why Can't We Be Friends, you might not like this CD. There is no AM radio friendly hit on it. Although, the title track did get some airplay."