I take time
I touch down
Once in a while
I send out
I get round
Once in a while
I talk back (I repeat)
I see through
Once in a while
I call up
I want you
Once in a while
I move on
I know why
Once in a while
I give in
I pass by
Once in a while
I turn down (I repeat)
I don't mind
Once in a while
I run back
I rewind
Once in a while
I'll say it again
And I'll do it again
I'll say it again
And I'll do it again
It'll happen again
Again and again
It'll happen again
Again and again
I'll say it again
And I'll do it again
I'll say it again
And I'll do it again
It'll happen again
Again and again
It'll happen again
Again and again
I'll say it again
And I'll do it again
I'll say it again
And I'll do it again
It'll happen again
Again and again and again
Quite an apt title for a band who have made repetition an art form on some of their tracks.
I do like the synth sequence backbone on this track. It is smack-bang in synthpop territory. And NM traits and quirks are there if you search for them, such as reverse sounds. But to me it all sounds a bit half-hearted. There's no lush, melodic, infectious passages to hook onto.
Instead, we get a stripped down approach overlaid by largely mono-tonal singing. And at nearly 4 and a half minutes it becomes a bit of a slog. Especially with the "say it again" diatribe which occupies well over a minute of the track to bring it to a close.
It's certainly not a track I listen to "again and again". But maybe that's what the boys were aiming for?
I get the feeling they were trying to put us outside of our comfort zone. And sandwiching it between two of the best tracks on the album emphasises the effect.
(Graham G)
This song isn't one of Tony's better efforts. Many times we've used the word experimental in relation to this album, and perhaps Tony was experimenting with some new kit. Not the worst album track, but near the bottom of the pile.
(Rich E)
Following on from arguably the album's best track was perhaps always going to be an uphill task. Can Warp track four deliver?
It kicks off with a very similar synth drum intro to the previous track. The mood then changes: this is somewhat more subdued, but with some obvious traces of the classic NM bittersweet melancholy. In many ways it's more experimental and less of a 'song' (more contemporary in that regard maybe?) than the typical NM track. Whilst not dazzling or incredibly catchy (can't recall it popping into my head too much), it's a reasonable track overall, despite its lack of 'dreaminess'.
The 'standard' Warp synthetic beat pulses along throughout. There are lots of reversed synths, and seemingly reversed electric guitar at 2.54. (No doubt Tony didn't *just* reverse it!). Bit it doesn't gel as well as it might, however.
The vocal duties are shared between Tony and Clive, and are pretty 'unusual' in any sense. Stereo is used to good effect between the two voices. The final verses with their minimalistic repeated lyrics are delivered in a somewhat frenzied style, and it's nice to hear Clive's vocal contributions. As the track's title suggests, there is indeed much repetition here. I'm unsure of the 'message' behind this one, however. Assuming there is one?
82/100
(Richard M)
This track is so typical of the WARP album for me. It has much to admire from a "sounds" perspective but it just doesn't gel as well as it perhaps could which leaves your typical New Musik fan with an overall feeling of disappointment - again!
And as others have mentioned it does go on a bit - and for too long.
BUT!
It does lead perfectly into those opening bars of what is without doubt the best track on the album.
(Kevin B)