The New Evolutionist (Example A)

A makes a move to a better place
Example B does the same
C D and E have begun to chase
It happens time and time again

But there are some from another hill
With different views in their eyes
Gifted actors from another play

New evolutionist

Example A has a brand new suit
B C and D and E the same
Now everyone's in everybody's shoes
Oh look it's happening again

But there are those in another house
With other messages in mind
And there are some in another room

New evolutionist

Then there are some from another world
Different writing on the wall
Alternative in another way

New evolutionist

Strange one this. Never been one of my favourites, in fact I anticipated reviewing it very negatively. But somehow more positive aspects are initially more demanding of comment.

For a start, the opening beat is a dead ringer for 'Living By Numbers' and this is enhanced by the guitar strumming. Tony's singing is OK, but a bit "thin" by his standard. There are synth layers, but they are nowhere near as lush as I'd like them to be. The brief section before the repetitive chorus almost attains infectious status, but then the chorus hits and it all falls down.

Unlike 'Hunting', which was a 4 minute track which felt like 3, 'New Evolutionist' is a 3 minute track that feels like 5.

Repetition can be compelling - 'Churches' for example. But here it grates.

Perhaps we should be thankful there isn't an '(Example B)'?

I'd say this was close to the worst track they've ever done. Very close. ;-)

(Graham G)

I'm not too keen on this one either and the repetition of the chorus at the end is far too long. I wouldn't say it's their worse song. The insumental bit before the verse singing starts is nice & bouncy, and I like the bit before the chorus where he sings ''but there are some from another hill with different views in their eyes''. Tracks like this sum up Warp really, there's good bits mixed in with not-so-good bits, you wonder wht Tony's singing about, and you want the sound to be so much richer than it is.

Lyrically you'd think it's about evolution: but is it? Example A doing one thing and examples B, C, D & E copying it? Evolution should be A, B, C, D and E all settling into their own niches, I'd have thought. So maybe a new evolutionist is the opposite of a typical evolutionist. Dunno.

(Rich E)

Proving my theory that Tony never put in anything other than a great intro, this starts off pretty good, with mellow synth and prominent acoustic guitar work. And initially a similar beat to that used on the intro to "Living by Numbers"...

"The New Evolutionist..." describes, it would seem, man's fear of appearing different to the masses by daring to look or think differently; and his tendency to take the 'safe route' by copying everyone else. Musikally, perhaps the best feature of the track is Tony's 12-string acoustic strumming throughout, proving his mastery of this technique. To me it is an intrinsic part of the NM sound. I also enjoy the multi-layered vocals.

Otherwise, this sadly lacks too much of the 'magic' to be considered one of the album's stronger tracks. It soon begins to run of of steam, and in doing so becomes rather repetitious, such as in the way the title gets over-used. I have wondered if the influence of Kraftwerk's "Computer World" album from the previous year had any bearing on Warp, as there are some similarities (the way some tracks 'merge', repetitiousness, etc).

Once again, I still like the track - it isn't bad by any means - but it does serve to reinforce just how strong the material on the earlier albums is.

82/100

(Richard M)

The New Evolutionist (Example A)

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