Level 42

World Machine

Cranking out a solid mix of styles

Review Score:

(8/10)
There's no such thing as a perfect pop album, but Level 42's 1985 release is certainly one of the best bits of ear candy of the last 20 years. Though the production style is quintessential 80s, the qualities that make "World Machine" so solid would be more than welcome today.

If you get past the pop veneer, you find the other elements that made L42 one of Britain's top dance bands in the 80s and 90s -- the lilting, Latin flavour of the title track, the shimmering harmonies of "Something About You," the moody and soulful balladry of "Leaving Me Now" and "Lying Still," and the propulsive funk of "Dream Crazy" and "Coup d'Etat." All with the intensity that L42 retained from its funk-jazz days.

Bassist/vocalist Mark King's distinctive bass playing, a little less up-front than in the previous album, blends in well with the keyboards of Mike Lindup (also backup vox) and Wally Badarou, and the rhythm guitar of Boon Gould. King's baritone and Lindup's falsetto merge beautifully.

But the star instrumentalist here is drummer Phil Gould, whose elegant balance of snare and toms and hi-hat cymbals is almost as much a symbol of classic L42 as King's bass.

The cut order in this version is slightly different from the US version of the album, which also subs out "I Sleep On My Heart," "Dream Crazy" and "Coup d'Etat" for "Hot Water" and "The Chant Has Begun," from the previous year's "True Colours." The original order works a little bit better, being more reflective of L42's roots as a dance/funk band.

You can't go wrong with either version, though. Peerless musicianship, powerful arrangements and great production by Wally Badarou make "World Machine" a wonderful set to hear -- again and again -- after all these years.

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