Reviews (page 7 of 11)
Nice grooves. Cisco kid nice. The 50th anniversary edition has some cool "making of" tracks where they feel out the song in the studio.
3.5
Reallly liked the first song and the rest were better than expected. Not sure it’s enough for me to put this album on again so I’ll go with a 3.
Pretty good, but not very memorable in my opinion.
Favorite Song: The Cisco Kid
Recognized the first and last song. Cisco kid was longer than I remembered. A Little Rock/funk. Can see where j Geils got some influences
I've heard "The Cisco Kid" many times, but never on my newer system and it absolutely slams! What a bass line. "City, Country, City" is immersive! Incredibly talented musicians. Side 1 (first three songs) is outstanding. I could listen to it on repeat. 5 stars! Side 2 meh - It just doesn't grab me the same way. I'm sure it would grow on me with more listens, but for now - 2 stars. Overall: 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3. Still a treat listening to this album!! Nerd Corner: I listened to the original album through qobuz. I thought some of the vocals were off key. I then listened to the 50th anniversary edition to see if they auto-tuned it. And shit-howdy they did! It sounded sterile and more compressed. As usual, re-mastered albums IMHO do not sound as good as the originals unless you have the right engineers doing it.
Funky and groovy for a lot of it, but disappointingly languid for too much of the album.
Starts off strong with the first two tracks, but then City, Country, City is way too long and repetitive, a jam that doesn't really go anywhere. And then it follows up with Four Cornered Room which is just kind of a drudge. Then it ends strong with the final two tracks. I mean, these cats can obviously play, but what is the word for this record.... uneven.
War by U2 yesterday and The World Is a Ghetto by War today? What's next, War in Iran? Too soon... The World Is a Ghetto was a solid listen – not necessarily exceptional the whole way through, but I had a good enough time with it. "The Cisco Kid" is also a certified and undisputed hood classic, so it's probably worth listening to the full album at least once to hear it in its original context. Highlights: The Cisco Kid, City Country City, The World Is a Ghetto
Not bad but I didn't connect with it
After the first classic song, the album leveled off. Nothing awful, just cool music that I could take or leave.
This album doesn't really go anywhere.
Would relisten
solid stuff
City, Country, City
gut
Decent listen.
I was familiar with several War hits but this was my first deep dive into one of their albums. Very enjoyable listen overall. But some songs were a bit too long and/or too mellow for my liking. My 2 favorite War songs, Spill the Wine and Low Rider, are not on this album.
I think this album would be fantastic to get high to in the 60's - I listened to this while doing my office job, which I don't think did it justice. But I did enjoy it, it was so funky, but there were long, repetitive stretches that I found annoying me.
Surely the genesis of all porno soundtracks
Standouts The Cisco Kid City, Country, City
The Cisco Kid is a great jam. There's some other good songs, but nothing great. I think these guys did better things on the next few albums.
Good album - The Cisco Kid a highlight.
Instrumentally this album is amazing. It is a work of art. Not for everyday but really good.
Incredibly long songs! It’s jazzy and radiates crime tv music. Not my favorite, but pretty easy to listen to as background music. (6 songs, 43 mins) 2/28/26
Really enjoyed this. Not something I was familiar with either.
I quite like the instrumentalism, little bit samey samey.
Started off pretty uninspired but really gained traction the more I listened. Four cornered room was the stand out hit - very pleased I gave it the full listen. It's also nice to listen to something from the early 70's and think of that time.
Funk. Not bad, nothing special to me, but I'm no expert.
Solid
sorry not my fave, not bad but did not feel super wow to me in the moment :)
My notes
It's good, but possibly a bit slow?
fonky chonky!!
A cool listen but in truth it’s a little one-dimensional and on some of the tracks it felt like they were going to just jam forever
Simpatico, bel sound a tratti da colonna sonora western, a tratti vagamente soul (?), insomma bellino anche se non salverei
Fun album, loved Cisco Kid (classic), but the whole album gives the feeling of walking through a lower end part of town in the 70s, mood and ambience is on point
Not bad
I got more into it as it went along. The world is a ghetto is such a great track. I was singing along by the end of the song.
The World Is a Ghetto by War is an album whose reputation slightly outweighs the actual listening experience. The band’s musicianship and their blend of funk, Latin, and jazz are undeniable, and when they keep things focused, most notably on “The Cisco Kid”, the album really works. In those moments, the grooves are tight, the hooks are clear, and the performances feel purposeful rather than indulgent. The problem is the album’s lack of restraint. It frequently drifts into overlong jam sessions, stretching simple ideas far past their impact and draining the momentum established at the start. Even the title track, despite its strong atmosphere and concept, loses force through repetition and extended solos. For me, it’s a record full of strong ideas and talent that needed firmer editing, making it a solid but ultimately unspectacular listen. 6/10
Enjoyed this, but it is quite downbeat. Which I guess is not surprising, given the title. I like that you can hear the influences but it still does its own thing. And it ends on a high.
I feel as if I should like this more than I did. It's got a great, jazzy soul groove, but maybe it doesn't have the tunes?
Strong album musically, but it didn't hook me in all the way like I hoped it might. I have to say, I do love the album cover. 3/5 stars from me.
The World is a Ghetto has a surprisingly positive and funky vibe considering it's name. Every song is diverse and unique to each other, however, a few songs got a little bit repetitive sometimes. Not really an album I see myself revisiting mainly because this genre is not my cup of tea, but I certainly did not regret giving it a listen. 3/5.
Pretty good. If only there were more non-jam band songs. Cisco Kid is a bop
This was a very cool album to listen to, I dug the sounds, and it was slick as shit. Nothing really was crazy but also everything was on point. Nice fat melodies.
This is #day551 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I thought I already got this album sometime ago. Anyway, bring on that early '70s psychedelic funk/soul/jazz/blues goodness! This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day552.
3/5. Might end up saying this a lot, but not typically my cup of tea. Nonetheless, despite a somewhat weak first half the second half of this album really brought it round for me. Favourite Track - The World Is A Ghetto
פרוגרסיבי החושילינג וזה ניהיה משעמם כבר אבל נחמד קצת זה וייבים
it was pretty good
A solid fusion album. The first two tracks were funk-fusion, and I was also reminded of reggae due to the emphasis on the backbeat. The rest of the album was a variety of long-dorm funk/psychadelic fusion, Grateful Dead-es que jams, which were enjoyable as well. Among those, City country city was especially cool due to the concept of having two completely different grooves juxtaposing each other. My favorite track was track two. 6/10
Not bad, I tend to like 70s rock in general but this didn't stand out to me so much.
It’s groovy more jazzy in sound after the first song
Funky, but it gets repetitive and isn’t helped by 3x 10 minute tracks back to back.
not typically my style, and not a genre im super familiar with, but very enjoyable. love the long instrumentals. the kind of music you'd put on during a hang out or while getting ready for something. i like some songs more than others but overall not bad.
Fun stuff.
City, Country, City is a jam. A methodical, soulful, jazzy, politically motivated Tuesday morning it is.
Something a bit different - another example of an artist I wasn’t aware of and an album I would never have listened to - decent
I enjoyed the jazz influence on this album but am not a massive fan of long songs as I can find them a bit monotonous
a little vibe to start the morning, okay
Solid grooves that I bopped along with. Doubt it will ever see rotation again, but it was an enjoyable listen.
The world is a ghetto and you are George Floyd Breathtaking album, quite enjoyed
No surprises here. Pretty mid album, but Cisco Kid goes hard.
6/10… funky soul / *1972
Very good, chill, well put together. I dug the #1 album from the year I was born.
Interesting addition to the list. I really liked it, and I’m glad I gave it some time.
This album opened so well. I loved the upbeat energy and funk of The Cisco Kid and Where was you at. The rich 1970s funk and soul sound comes through strong. I couldn't help but help but tap my feet and get into the rhythm. City, Country, City starts off well. With a mournful harmonica and funky organ pulling you through. But at the 9:30 mark when there is just bass, bongo and high-hat, it was all feeling a bit much. Four Cornered Room drags out a bit too. But even though The World is a Ghetto is over 10 minutes long it doesnt feel as drawn out. A really enjoyable album with a slow middle. (2.500)
Made my buttocks want to move of their own volition. That's always at least a 3.
Didnt quite get into this at first. I knew "The Cisco Kid" but that was the only song off this album I'd heard before listening. By the time I got through "City, Country, City" I was hooked. Very good album.
liked this oneeee
Tough to rate as I much preferred side two. Side one started off with two songs which were all right but didn’t blow me away, before concluding with the instrumental ‘City, Country, City’. This was probably my least favourite track, which is unfortunate given that it was 13 minutes long and essentially consisted of one decent groove/idea extended far beyond its welcome. Side two was much better, with ‘Four Cornered Room’ and the title track both having brooding, moody atmospheres I rather enjoyed, plus a great closing track. Overall, a decent funk/soul album. Enough there for 3 stars.
Ho ascoltato il primo pezzo quindi é una recensione falsa
Definetly a funky album! Was nice background listen and personally wouldn't listen to it on it's own, but if I heard it playing it somewhere I wouldn't mind at all. The world indeed is a ghetto.
If the whole album was at the level of “The Cisco Kid,” this would have been an easy 5-star album for me. At its best, this album is groovy, catchy, gritty, and political. Alas, most of the album after that first track lacks the groove and pace, leaving me yearning for that first song.
Not at all what I expected, but pretty listenable.
Opzich wel funky.
Incredible mix of different genres feeling so fresh and alive still today
Groovetastic
great album. great instrumentals. super funky. high energy. every song had a different vibe. a fun listen for sure.
Good jazzy funk, not a bad listen, some tracks a bit repetitive.
Groovy
Very funky! Enjoyed the first track but grew tired of it quite quickly.
This was funky I liked it
The pace is well-described as ‘torpid’. Some of the vocals grate with effort in a way I don’t like. Enjoyed instrumental tracks more. After listening to it three times (only six tracks!) by the evening I rather liked it.
vibing!
13 minute song is crazy did not know they also made the george lopez song nice favorite song: the cisco kid
3.5 on a good day
ok ngl at first i groaned when i saw this but then i listened and i was pleasantly surprised! the album cover does lowkey remind me of fantasia 2000... iykyk
Peaks and troughs. When it's good Cisco kid and works is a ghetto really good, otherwise pretty boring at times. Likely won't listen again.
Not my favourite, but i have always liked Cisco Kid. Definitely different Spill the wine came on right after the album finished and i would have rated it higher, but that song is from a different album. Probably wouldn't listen to this album again
Four cornered room favorite song. Not my type of music (not a lot of words) but there was still a lot of emotion in the songs
This seems really left field for a number one billboard album. A lot of love for the soul and jazz vibes and for trying to capture the theme. No big 'hits' sounded to me as I listened, but enjoyed as a whole piece.
"City, Country, City" is great. It's a jam. It doesn't outstay its welcome on any one thing. Cool variety of instruments and styles. "Four Cornered Room" - Zoom zoom zoooooooooooooom. Probably my least favourite song, takes 5 minutes to get interesting. The zooms were great though. I wonder if this song was a premonition about COVID lockdowns... *mind blown* Overall, not an unpleasant album. I enjoyed the listen, but definitely feels like "City, Country, City" is the only real highlight.
Post Burden War - Not so different but seems a little more generic. good atmosphere, polyphony given the amount of instruments used. Funky
2.5/5 The album starts off very well, after that there are some longer instrumental songs where I start losing my interest. The music is good but it’s a bit too jazzy for my taste. Favourite songs: - The Cisco kid - Where was you at
I really enjoyed the first track, probably the best discovery I've made doing this in these first dozen or so albums, but the rest of the album doesn't compare.
Not awesome but now awful.
good
Two decent songs bookend some well produced ambient meandering that seems more like it belongs on a soundtrack or in a jazz lounge.
Not my usual cup of tea but I found this to be a very enjoyable listen. Title track is a masterpiece.
surprisingly ok
There’s a lot to love here. The instrumentals have that soulful, 70s flair that I always love. The subject matter is still relevant as well. I guess it just didn’t click with me entirely. I really enjoyed “Four Cornered Room” and some other moments. I found the instrumental track to be a bit dragged out unnecessarily. Still, there’s a lot that I did enjoy.
Good groove throughout. Cisco and ghetto are high points. Some of the other tracks are a little long, but still a jam.
it’s nice. not my type of music but it sounds good.
Love the first song!
Ok, not favourite
Not too bad
It was pretty good!!
Their fifth album. Soul / Funk. This is a very busy album. Lots of sounds and styles being fused together. It's a Soul, Funk, Jazz, hint of Raggae and Rock album. Definitely a cool and relaxing listen. Nice.
Pure Art. Some really long songs as well. Love the vibes. Got ready to it a few times. 3.5/5
Nice
Not too bad - never heard of em!
not notable
It's not a bad album, very low 6/10, feels kinda long for being under 45 but it's not bad
No. 332/1001 The Cisco Kid 3/5 Where Was You At 3/5 City, Country, City 3/5 (2x) Four Cornered Room 2/5 (2x) The World Is A Ghetto 3/5 (2x)2,78 Beetles In The Bog 3/5 Average: 2,78 Pretty slow jazz record. The songs were a bit too long for my taste.
Cool. 3.
Reminds me of Houmous & Chutneys legendary album ‘The Worlds Not A Ghetto, It’s Lovely’ 2.7 2/6 Where Was You At
I got into war the same as many others, spill the wine and low rider. War started with eric burdon (of the animals) and became their own band after a few albums. Personally I prefer their first attempt w/o burdon to the world is a ghetto. World is a ghetto has a few hits cisco kid, low rider. The commentary on the tracks is self explained in the album title so there should be no real surprise. Musically I find most tracks exist but fail to hook me. It's good background but that defeats the point of the intent.
not bad, wasn’t much lyrical content as im used to but it felt right
Probably what soul music should be and be about. Really enjoyable record, especially from a merely musical point of view. 3.5/5
This album was a great discovery! I’ll definitely listen to it again, especially City, Country, City.
decent
I like the few hits of War's that I've heard, though never taken the time to explore any part of their catalogue. The World is a Ghetto might not have been the first place I would've chosen to jump into, but it is pretty solid work. It's not really something that really resonates with me personally, but it's pretty decent. 3/5
wouldn’t listen again, not my taste
I enjoyed it but not as much as I wanted to.
Again, some really great funk music that just isn't my thing. I do like the prog soul touches, and the little jazz flourishes, but I just am not a funk guy. A lot of the songs are also a tad long for my tastes, even if they're great all the way through.
music genre and style is all over the place, but on purpose. they use salsa, latin drums, long beach music, doo wop, r&b, jazz and whatever other music style you can think of. this was done in theme with the album “the world is a ghetto” not as much a political statement but more statement of unity. meant to say that we all have struggles, even rich people get clogged toilets (something the drummer said). overall i liked it, very different from my normal music but it was a nice background to my morning. rating: 6.6/10 favorite song: beetles in the bog
This is my first time listening to a War album start-to-finish. This was enjoyable. It's good, but not great.
Funky decent and mostly instrumental album and I happened to have some paperwork stuff to focus on so it worked a treat. I enjoyed it.
Smooth
Interesting but not captivating
I enjoyed most of it
Nice progressive 80s psychedelic, good driving music
Old school - funky
Crazy jams on this I wasnt expecting good listen
It's fine. Put it on in the background.
Early 70s funk always grooves
All I know of War is the hits I heard growing up ("Spill the Wine, "Low Rider," "Why Can't We Be Friends?") Trivia I just learned from Wikipedia: "Their show at Ronnie Scott's Club in London on September 16, 1970, is historically notable for being the last public performance for Jimi Hendrix, who joined them onstage for the last 35 minutes of Burdon and War's second set; a day later he was dead." I bet these guys were amazing live. It just occurred to me that the album cover reminds me of the intro to Bob's Burgers - I wonder if that is intentional.
Good album. It's hard to believe that funk and soul has largely been supplanted by modern R&B. I find this to be much more accessible.
Classic funk/r&b. Very listenable.
Generally very good funk. Really like the first and last songs, with the penultimate song also being very solid. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th songs all partially forgettable and I didn't enjoy City, Country, City at all.
First song is great, but need another listen at some point
Big highs and lows, I thought the Cisco kid and some of the faster ones were exceptional but some of the slow ones were a real slog
It’s an appreciate more than a love for me, I get it but for me it’s too draggy
Sure
7/10 Favourite: The Cisco Kid Least Favourite: Beetles in the Bog
good stuff 3.5/5
čak i okej, premda na trenutke trunku traljavo
Pretty good! Liked Beetles in the Bog the best - the sax was super fun and sooo early 70s (in a good way, imo)
Unique but not really my thing, the last 3 tracks carried it hard. I was enjoying the long instrumental track a lot but it overstayed its welcome and lost me in the last 1/3rd when it became only percussion. Highlights were Four Cornered Room and The World is a Ghetto
The World Is a Ghetto has a strong atmosphere and a clear point of view, but as a full album it does not always sustain its impact. War blend funk, soul, Latin influences, and jazz into a laid-back but socially aware sound that feels very much of its time. There is a looseness to the grooves that works well, giving the music a lived-in, street-level feel rather than something overly polished or grand. The title track is easily the centrepiece, long, immersive, and genuinely powerful in how it captures frustration and resignation without turning preachy. Other songs have moments of warmth and rhythmic pull, especially when the band lean into their percussion-heavy arrangements and relaxed interplay. The musicianship is never in doubt, and there is a strong sense of chemistry running through the band. Where the album falters is consistency. Some tracks feel underdeveloped or drift without quite earning their length, and the mellow vibe can blur into sameness across the runtime. While the mood is strong, not every song carries the same weight or memorability. The World Is a Ghetto is an important and often enjoyable record, but as an album experience it feels more solid than exceptional.
I like the funkiness, although seemed like another front ended album
Solid 3
Didn't really do anything for me, but still solid
Definitely outside of my usual genres, it’s got a cool sound. I struggle with extremely long songs and repetitive lyrics, but I still found things to like here.
Solid funk groove.
Quite recognizable early 70's soul. Good groovin', but doesn't quite reach the heights of Curtis Mayfield or Marvin Gaye for example.
This is a progressive soul-funk album in which every song feels quite different from any of the others. The first track is my favourite. It is very funky and funny. People point out that it incorporates elements from Latin Funk, but my first though was that it sounded very reggae like. Second song is more Soul inspired and it is also quite funny with the great use of harmonica, but it doesn't reach the same level as the previous one, feeling a bit repetitive. The following three tracks are the longest tracks on the album, and it is from this point that I lose the interested due to their length. 'City, Country, City' feels like a prog-rock song with all the different solos from different instruments, but that don't really add anything. 'Four Cornered Room' is a very slow soul track that keeps the same pace and melodies through the whole 8 minutes it lasts, making it quite tiresome. 'The World Is a Ghetto' has some nice vocals lines and a great saxophone solo. But again, I wish it wasn't 10 minutes long. The final track, 'Beetles In the Bog' is a great closer to the project that comes back to the ideas from 'The Cisco Kid', but this time, I can see the Latin influences. Overall, a good album, but I wasn't crazy about it with how long some of the songs are.
I’m a beetle and I live in the bog
3.5 good jam vibes
I honestly had no idea War was a Black band because I guess I didn't know anything about them at all haha. I really only know Low Rider and Why Can't We Be Friends, and I always forget those songs are by War.... This photo goes hard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_(band)#/media/File:War_(US_band,_1992).jpg Groovy, raw, feels great. Love the grittiness of the vocal performance of Cisco Kid. Where Was You At - yeah I love this shit. It feels so good. I'm a sucker for a band member enthusiastically yelling "yeah!" in the background just because they're really feeling it. Cool changes all over the place, and then it just kinda fades out quickly haha. A bit weird ending but I forgive it. City, Country, City - solid jam but I feel like I'm getting spun around a little bit. Long drawn out jams aren't really fun for me unless I'm playing. Self-indulgence, I guess you'd call that. Four Cornered Room - woahhh a rare flexitone appearance!! These bg vocals are very sick. Flanging... Holy shit this is so sick haha Cool album. Lots of sick harmonica, rhythms, big gang vocals. The longers tracks felt a little meandering. But cool overall! I'll have to check out some more from War's discography.
Cisco Kid is definitely familiar! I am into 70s funk but from a pretty passive place, it’s not a type of music I feel spiritually connected with, but I can definitely feel the vibes radiating off of this record and they are great. Musicianship is very impressive, love the organ sounds, percussion arrangements are so good. Feels great to listen to on a sunny drive. I love the long jam tracks. As a prog kid this is where I feel a kinship with these types of bands. I might throw it on for something feel good now and again, but it doesn’t have major staying power for me.
My opinion flip-flopped between "this album is a bomb" and "this album is the bomb" -- often times within the same track.
good but won't relisten
Kind of a funky jam band vibe. Lots of cool brass instrument work. Has almost a Latin flavor to it. Unfortunate that this album didn't have 'Lowrider' on it, but it was a fun enough listen. 3/5
Day 98 Every song starts well, every single is at least twice as long as it needs to be imo 6/10 Highlights The Cisco Kid Beetles in the Bog
Another album not exactly in my wheelhouse but enjoyed listening.
Still hate jazz
Groovy. The album slowed down towards the end, but the music remained entertaining to me. Cisco Kid and Where Was You At were my favorites because of high energy.
Great funky rock with a jazzy energy. I don't know if any one song stood out to me, but this is an all-around great vibe with strong performances throughout. 3.5
Super fun album. I love the wild virtuoso harmonica parts on "Where Was You At", along with the great sudden fadeout that occurs. Really interesting ideas on this one. "City, Country, City" is a fun jam. Sometimes overly jammy songs / albums can be hit or miss for me but I put this one on and really grooved to it.
302/1089 - Too repetitive.
A West Coast urban locked in funky groove. I have never really liked "Low Rider" or "Why Can't We Be Friends" but this kept things going on a Friday.
Amazing that this was the #1 Billboard album of 1973. It’s a really sophisticated blend of genres, and I liked but didn’t love it, though maybe it would grow on me with repeated listens.
pretty good jazzy album but not the strongest finish
Quite good. Enjoyed it.
Given that I only knew their self titled hit, I was surprised to hear how instrumental and vibey the rest of their music is, at least on this album anyway.
It's definitely a War album, 70's chill album. i can see this as the soundtrack to "The Big Lebowski", specifically when The Dude is visiting Jackie Treehorn. It's ok, not my bag.
The A side was AWESOME. I was really enjoying the 70s funk music. I realize the older I get, this is the one genre I have really been getting into... Parliament, Funkadelic, etc. The B side was tough to get through. Overall decent album.
Was hoping the whole album would be like Cisco Kid
Definitely a fine example of the early 70s
Ricardo para escuchar. El tema principal tremendo. Nota: 3.4
Not bad.
Nice instrumentals. Pretty solid album
Interesting. Has a real time and place feel about it. Enjoyable, funky album but lacks real star quality.
Solid funk, but most of the songs overstay their welcome.
it's interesting. funky, very well played. screaming 70's out loud, not an album I would play regularly, but it wouldn't be fair to deny it's a good record.
Mostly funky and at times, a soulful record. It's pretty good. Favourite Track(s): City, Country, City Least Favourite Track(s): Beetles In The Bag
I’ve only ever heard “Lowrider” by Wat. Excited to see what they’ve got! Genuinely enjoyed my first listen. The Cisco Kid was a highlight. Heard a few samples from this record on hip hop albums. Some space jazz grooves with plenty of funk. Not my usual taste, very happy to be exposed. 3.5/5
wow it was funky and full of soul!
Ok well, I thought WAR was a band of Mexicans so that surprised me. I also thought WAR was more rock than anything so that surprised me. I’d say they are less funky than Parliament but down the same lines of musical journey. I was originally all in but I find the music wearing on me. Nothing changes. I wish that wasn’t the case.
Funky, Chill, maybe a sunny day in the hammock or an evening drive
Most of this didn’t do a hell of a lot for me but there are certainly moments I really enjoyed, like Beetles in the Bog. (3.5 stars)
What is this good for?
What is this genre, funk Latin RnB rock? New band / album to me. Album grew on me / got stronger as it progressed. Could see myself getting into that instrumental long track if in the right mood (once the sax heavy bits passed) and the next one (zoom zoom zoom one with the talking bit). Title track was good but would be improved with less sax. A 3 after initially thinking it would be easily a 2. Where Was You At would be better if it was called Where To Is You By.
I did not like this album as much as I thought I would. Still, it’s three stars for being different at the time in Eric Burdon is awesome.
Listened to 50tu anniversary edition.
3.0 - Ok
Funky jazzy album and a good listen. One annoyance...bad grammar. It's "Where were you" or "Where have you been" NOT "Where was you at" fuck's sake.
Interesting album. I was familiar with The Cisco Kid, but nothing else. Progressive funk/jazz which is cool to groove to. I didn't love it, but I did find it an impressive work.
This album crept up on me. Deeply soulful and funkybut a little slow for my personal taste. Highlight was "city, country, city
Classic and relevant. Full stop.
Enjoyed it
Clearly talented musicians, and I really liked some of the songs, like Beetles In The Bog. I'm not really a fan of the instrumentals though, they get boring after a while. High 3
Preferred this funk to yesterday’s funk. Decent enough record.
Have heard some War tracks, nothing on this album. Funk, soul, rock. It's good but doesn't move beyond that for me. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? No Owned: No: 22/1001, 22/90 (24%) Will I get? No
I think this is a good album, I just tend to zone out in spots.
pretty good, probably be even better at night
Funky
1. The Cisco Kid - 7 Repetitive lyrics but still an enjoyable sound none the less. For a soul/funk track it's very good. 2. Where Was You At - 6 Another good soul/funk track. Kinda confused by the pitch change in the middle of the song that then quickly removes itself just as abruptly as it came in. Outside of that, it's a decent track. 3. City, Country, City - 8 Brilliant jam track with loads of great instrumentals to love throughout. Superb track. 4. Four Cornered Room - 3 It's just a boring track. Like a really bad coffee shop jazz vibe. 5. The World Is A Ghetto - 6 Decent jam but the intro is very slow and it's very hard to get to the most enjoyable part of the track which is after about three to four minutes in. 6. Beetles In The Bog - 5 Fun track to end the album off with but definitely not as great in lyrics, vocals, or instrumentals as The World Is A Ghetto. Average Rating: 5.83 Adjusted to a 5-Point Scale: 2.92 Rounded Up: 3 Stars
I'm a sucker for bands with great horn sections. That said, I don't think this has aged particularly well. It's a good listen, but not revolutionary.
Bopped along to this but not a new favourite
Really quite enjoyed this!
Good classic soul; I usually lean towards high energy in soul music; this was a bit too laid back. But that’s purely musical preference and by no means discredits how good this album is.
Its cool. Han leider nüt schlaus oder lustigs dezue zsege. Not my favorite aber hans gnosse.
Funk/reggae. Very nice unique sound! Rest seems to be more standard funk/soul. Interesting to have a long instrumental on track 3. Four Cornered Room is slow and atmospheric. Jazz jams in title track. Nice. Best track - The Cisco Kid 3 or 4 stars, first track was an eye-opener. 3 overall but a strong 3
Jotain hyvääkin
Some solid beats and meaningful lyrics in these super long songs. I liked the overall feel of the album, even if some of the songs and topics blurred across a few songs. 6/10
Defintely novel, and I wouldn't have been turned onto this had it not been recommended.
Driving down from a cottage listening to "City, Country, City" as you pass by Toronto for the 2nd time in 3 days really makes it feel like this album was sent from the album generator gods. 3.5 (for the 3.5 hours we drove).
Very funky 70s vibe.
started off a bit shaky but got really cool and groovy
super funky
As much as I appreciate the Chicano lowrider culture prevalent around me growing up in LA in the ‘70s and ‘80s - and as much as I was looking forward to my first War full-length - this record didn’t knock me out. I’m shocked to find out it was the top-selling record of 1973. It goes too jam band for me, extended musical journeys that left me clocking how much of a track I still had to listen to. It still sounds nice, wouldn’t mind it in the background, a three.
Great funk. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): The Cisco Kid, Where Was You At, Beetles In The Bog ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Saved some tracks.
3.5
immer noch das gleiche 50 jahre später: The World Is A Ghetto. grooviger sound, sehr geeignet als hintergrundberieselung.
Fun, some of the tracks were loooooong
3/5
The cover art is gorgeous; bleak, gray, colourful, childlike! Very funky, really liked some bits Will give another proper listen!
Ok not one I truly connected with
Pretty decent and funky. I never knew more that what its good for or whatever its called but I enjoyed this well enough. Nothing too great or nothing bad. Just average type.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘐𝘴 𝘢 𝘎𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘰 is a smooth, jazzy soul record with some truly great instrumental passages — 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 in particular feels like it could sit comfortably next to Herbie Hancock’s 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. The musicianship is top-notch, but the vocal tracks don’t always match the brilliance of the band’s grooves. Still, it’s a fine example of early-’70s fusion between funk, jazz, and soul.
Rating: 6/10 The first two songs are the best, the longer ones meander so would need to re-listen to this to see if it clicks more.
Killer jams. Great old 70s funk. It kicks off right with The Cisco Kid and keeps going. Dig this album. But going to the "will I seem this out to listen again?" Probably not, but I did enjoy it. 3.5
Best jazz album yet
Great vibes, great skills. It genuinely sounds like they were having fun making music together. Some songs dragged on a bit too long for me, but I think in the right environment this would really draw me in. As it is, 3.5 stars.
Ive tried listening to thid album no less than 5 times I've finished it no less than 5 times. Theres so good tracks on here for sure but my perception of War has been irreparably damaged due to for some reason every homeless person on every bus I've ever been on blasting different War albums front to back. Idk why homeless people in my area love War so much, but they do. 6/10
It's not my thing but I sure did like it!!
Good
Bit average
3/5
people who think this is the best soul album aren't real
Really a 2.5
Åbenbart blevet samplet meget indenfor hiphop verdenen. DE la soul NWA osv. Det er latin rock, funk, soul, jazz fusion af mange forskellige genre. Det er meget groovy og godt passede perfekt på en søndag. Jeg synes det er virkelig godt, men jeg har også en eller anden underlig fornemmelse af jeg lidt for godt kan lide det. Lidt som om at jeg kan lide det bare fordi jeg har en ide om at jeg burde kunne lide det og at jeg tror det er fedt at andre synes jeg ville kunne lide det. Måske lægger jeg for meget vægt i det. Måske kan jeg bare godt lide det. Men det er sådan at jeg kunne lide hvert et nummer for hvad det var, men som om jeg heller ikke rigtig synes at det er sådan super super godt. Sådan som om det virkelig rammer.
Interesting.
70s as shit
Decent but not great
Actually liked two songs.
good instrumental, but 13 minutes a SONG???
Tem uma vibe legalzinha, mas não escutaria no meu fone por livre espontânea vontade!
Off the cuff remark: it just isnt what I would normally listen to and I struggle with funk(y) stuff. However I enjoyed this and it hasn't even got Low Rider on it. Listen again? I think I will.
Very close to giving it a 4. I liked it
This album is definitely good fun—full of funky grooves and laid-back jams that showcase War’s signature style. The musicianship is tight, and there’s a nice, easygoing vibe throughout. While I can appreciate the funkiness and the positive energy, it’s not really my thing overall. I enjoyed the listen, but I’m not sure I’d come back to it again.
I don't usually love this genre, but this album was pretty damn good. City, Country, City especially. Strong 3.
This is a very original and very enjoyable album: it blends a lot of sounds and different atmospheres, but all in harmony, and I was surprised to find myself enjoying some of the tracks over time (7 to 10 minutes) but always with the same artistic quality. I'm hesitating between 3 and 4 stars because I'm not sure I'll listen to it again...
I’m discovering the unlikely story of the British singer behind “The House of the Rising Sun” who first teamed up with the L.A. ghetto guys of War. But this album which seems to be their best, came after Burdon had left. It mixes funk, soul, rock and jazz in a way that feels raw, very real and that reflects 70s America street spirit. It may not be as timeless as some other classics from the same era, but it’s totally my thing. I wasn’t aware of this funk-rock period, and I’ll definitely dig deeper into it.
First time I have ever taken War seriously. Low Rider is so ubiquitous it kind of drives me crazy. Funky jazz fusion. 2.5/5
This was good! In the past, I've looked into them because of some off their songs being in the Skate games, but not a proper lsite, or a listen to their album(s). Perhaps I'll find myself revisiting.
Funky. As advertised.
That’s a lot of funk! There is jazz in there and soul sounds too. It’s not my preferred genre of music, and it feels quite long. The album opens well, but I feel like it lost its way after the Cisco Kid. Overall it was fine.
Solid album. Really loved the two mammouth songs and did't connect as well with the five regular length ones. 6/10
3.8/5 not much to say good instrumentals and songs just didn’t spark anything big
Pretty good but not bending in a way that o thought it might be
Noooooot my thing
Very musical and beautiful with some catchy songs
Pretty good background music - probably won't listen again though
It was a fun and funky album. Elements of jazz. An enjoyable listen.
Instrumentation is incredible. City, Country, City is a great jam out song where everyone is just vibing and having a good time. Fun album, has a lot of good moments. Drummer and bassist were the highlight for me.
-the only thing I had ever heard from War before this album was Low Rider… great song. i think some aspects of this album are even on par with it -this was really catchy and captivating. it kinda lost me with the meandering prog jazz tracks in the middle but i think the shorter songs in particular were all absolute bangers. 3.5 stars -Favorites are The Cisco Kid, Where Was You At, and Beetles In The Bog
Great memories “Cisco kid was a friend of mine…” Some of the songs go on a little long
Meh.
Excellent grooves, Cisco Kid is a classic, strong 3 ⭐
If the tracks were shorter I would give it a mark more, it's a bit too long winded. This might be the style of the genre though.
This was ok. Jazzy bits at the end yuh. I’m sick of this list :))))
I feel like this album wanted to be a 4, it was close and had many great elements but for some reason it just seemed to fall a little short. V funky though.
3,25
War is a wild ride - never quite settling in but always having fun.
70s Funk Jam Band. Avg song length 8 min. 3/5
Found first 2 songs tiring but album settled in with long instrumental that was enjoyable. Last 2 songs were the best. Not something I’d reach for everyday. 3/5
Funky and fun - 3/5
This is a nice follow up to Jimmy Smith. Really cool instrumental album. Especially enjoyed City, Country, City.
Good work music. Didn’t love how long the songs were.
On today's 1001 albums to hear before I die, I rolled an album I have simply never heard of before by a band I am only vaguely familiar with, that album and band is War's The World Is a Ghetto. This album feels like a stroll through a neighborhood with all the different long winded tracks and surprisingly atmospheric feeling felt all across the album. It feels like a walk through the sounds of Funk as they continue to express themselves in unique ways as you continue journeying down the block that is this album. It is a very progressive listening experience that doesn't feel like your typical Funk project, which I find to be very fascinating even if it didn't wow me musically. It is a solid project with some very interesting and intriguing compositions that are definitely worth picking apart and diving into. Nuff said.
Groovy, nothing crazy but I liked it.
Soul, funk and jazz mixed together. It’s nice
Not bad, but nothing as good as Low Rider
Väldigt blåsigt, men ganska bra. Troligtvis en 3
Decent but can’t really remember 5/10
Look, I love funk, but this kinda missed the mark. Not like bad missed the mark, it just doesn’t have that hook to it to make it be a proper special album. It has its fun moments but it really drags at times.
The elements of a great album, with great elements of jazz, rock, soul and a touch of reggae, with talented musicians. However, this album feels a bit soulless, like it is missing that extra 10% to make it much better. It feels bland and repetitive in places. Seems like an album that influenced a lot of other work, and I commend them for that, just wish it went further.
War was in the air in the 70s — still sounds like it.
Was chill
# Album Name: The world is a ghetto # Artist: War # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: This missed the mark for me. It wasnt bad but wasnt good either. # Top Tunes: Cisco kid # Would I listen to it again? Dont think so
Some great, funk, soul. and R&B, but a three-star rating for the jazz.
cool dub/reggae
Some great songs, some instrumentals that I didn’t vibe with.
Cool but also didn’t really do much for me. 3 stars
Good stuff