Is there no way out
From everything you'll ever understand
Is there no way out
You'll never leave the station that you manned
Kingdoms for horses
Run from your life
Kingdoms for horses
You'll just go round in circles
Is there no way out
From everything in time with everywhere
Is there no way out
To emptiness and silence in the air
Kingdoms for horses
Run from your life
Kingdoms for horses
You'll just go round in circles
Kingdoms for horses
Run from your life
Kingdoms for horses
You'll just go round in circles
Is there no way out (Well)
Is there no way out (Well)
Kingdoms for horses
Run from your life
Kingdoms for horses
You'll just go round in circles
Is there no way out (Well)
It's heaven and it's hell and it's alive
Is there no way out (Well)
It's all you ever needed to survive
Kingdoms for horses
Run from your life
Kingdoms for horses
You'll just go round in circles
Kingdoms for horses
Run from your life
Kingdoms for horses
You'll just go round in circles
Kingdoms for horses
Kingdoms for horses
Kingdoms for horses
Kingdoms for horses
Kingdoms for horses
Opening side two of Warp is the track which was hinted at previously during the Anywhere period in a much shortened instrumental version.
Here it returns, transformed into a fully fledged song.
"Kingdoms..." begins with an odd intro, and the 'oddness' continues throughout. It's one of Warp's more unusual, non-standard tracks, both musically and lyrically. The older snippet appears similar to this track's initial instrumental section, retaining the appealing simple melody and clarity of synths, but now with the addition of a thudding bass beat.
I'm again left feeling rather lost on the meaning of this song - it's too cryptic for me. Is its a nod to the futility of life? Or a reference to the 'dumbed down' society in which we live? Maybe it doesn't matter whether I understand it or not... The vocals are pretty 'mad' in places, especially Tony's frantic (and uncharacteristic) "WELL!!!" at 2.57!
Many of the 'ingredients' are there, the sonics and quite varied and it's certainly cutting edge This is not a bad track as such, but the sound is less dreamy and more 'enclosed' than the NM tracks I like the most.
82/100
(Richard M)
I always loved that whimsical synth snippett and was therefore happy to see it form part of a track which is one of the stronger ones on Warp.
I've never analysed the meaning of any of the tracks - interested only if it musically "floats my boat".
.. and I have to say this does.
It's mad but by no mean bad!
(Kevin B)
This is a strange track. It's dominated by *that* synth riff which appeared sandwiched between 'From the Village' & 'Guitars'. Such a great riff, it can't fail really. However, to me it sounds disconnected from the track.
It's just thrown in there, seemingly for no other reason than it deserving a place on an album - which it does.
The track itself has highs and lows, fair to say more highs. Tony's singing is great, and the various interpretations of "well" is something a little different and works (for me). And there are some nice electronic touches and atmospherics, together with the plucked bass and quirky guitar detail. And the chopped-off segue into 'Hunting' is great.
However, the electronic percussion, again, gets irksome in its repetition and dominance. And generally this track sounds a bit "forced" for want of a better word.
As for the lyrics themselves, they are equally enigmatic. What the hell are they about? Escaping from life's rat race is my best guess, but I can't see the equine metaphor.
(Graham G)