You shaped ideas system
You made it clear system
You've paid the price system
Look what you've done
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
It's begun to Warp
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
It's begun to Warp
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
You told some lies system
The big surprise system
But open eyes system
Saw through it all
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
It's begun to Warp
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
It's begun to Warp
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
(Warp)
(Warp)
(Warp)
(Warp)
(Warp)
All over now system
They found you out system
So where to now system
Look what you've done
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
It's begun to Warp
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
It's begun to Warp
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
I've got the feeling
It's begun to Warp
We've come to the final track on the Warp LP, and oddly enough it's entitled "Warp"... It will become clear that this track was intended to be the last one on the album.
The Warp sonics really make their full impact here. The bass is full and bouncy, especially after the 1:48 mark, when it really expands, along with some 'meaty' acoustic strumming. The 'choppy' synth percussion is also used again. It plays almost throughout like it's at the wrong speed and pitch (even before the 'broken player' effect takes hold later on at around 3:11 - hints of "The Safe Side"?). And what can you say about those mad sampled vocal effects...? They aren't subtle and might sound quite 'naff' and dated to many I guess, but I don't mind the odd bit of craziness. And I'm sure they were fun at the time.
Sounding expressive and drained, Tony really sings like his life depends on it here.
The ending is unpredictable and almost too crazy - an extended mass of analogue 'broken-ness'. I can imagine the lads' glee thinking of all us poor listeners believing their vinyl, turntable or cassette was going into melt down! Of course the effect wouldn't work in todays' digital age. What would the modern-day equivalent be - a skipping CD? (It makes you wonder if anyone actually returned their new purchase, in the belief they had a faulty record!)...
It's certainly a weird track then, and quite a fitting end to an experimental album which was not afraid to push the boundaries in a new and uncharted electronic direction. Its 'playfulness' and rhythmic elements came as a bit of a shock after the straight and serious direction of the earlier material. Tony would continue this new-found 'wackier' direction with his productions for Captain Sensible.
86/100
(Richard M)
So, we finally reach the final album track of the final NM album. Fittingly it's the title track, and fittingly the approach is playful, weird and downright wacky in places.
The thud thud beat is prevalent here in common with many of the tracks on 'warp'. But, unlike its close neighbours on the album, other elements of the track shine through to raise this track's status and make it a very decent outing. Firstly, it has a worthwhile melodic hook that could almost be described as infectious. Tony's vocals, slightly echoed, sound very clean and precise. The synths (yet again) are not as lush as I'd like them to be but where they are used it's effective. The brief melodic strumming just before the 2 min mark is great and leaves you begging for more. The electronic rhythmics that accompany the beat are well judged. Vocal detail is regularly emphasised, such as on the words "Warp" and "System", especially at the track's midpoint. I really don't have a clue what the lyrics are about actually.
But, of course, the main talking point is the track's end. It's totally bonkers, imitating a record deck or cassette deck malfunction - and a very convincing one at that. They really do "warp" the track into amazing contortions, before a trademark "hatchet" ending to the track.
So there you have it. As an album 'Warp', for me, is essential because of 3 tracks. 'Train on Twisted Tracks', 'Hunting' and *their version* of 'All You Need is Love'. Other tracks such as 'Kingdoms For Horses', 'Going Round Again', 'Here Come the People' and 'Warp' aren't shabby either, and 'Planet' is a flawed gem.
I for one wouldn't be without it.
We're in the closing stretch now folks, the extra singles.
(Graham G)