Artist: World Party

Title: Best in Show (Seaview)

You might like if you enjoy: World Party, The Waterboys, John Lennon

Tell me more: Following the death of acclaimed singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Karl Wallinger just over a year ago (March 10, 2024) at the age of 66, the artist's family and record label began putting together a special deluxe compilation of his groundbreaking band World Party's hit singles and deep album cuts recognized as fan favorites. Originally issued 2007 as a limited-edition release, Best in Show has been expanded and is available on audio CD as well as via a limited-edition, double-vinyl pressing that includes updated artwork from designer Richard Evans. 

Best in Show is a truly marvelous overview of World Party's far-flung strengths ranging from the propulsive opener "Ship Of Fools" (a environmental-themed hit single off the band's 1987 debut album Private Revolution) and infectious 1990 single "Way Down Now" off World Party's second album Goodbye Jumbo to the soaring Beatles-flavored "Put the Message in the Box," bewitching folk rock gem "Is It Like Today?" (the latter being the band's highest-streamed track) and "She's the One," the latter recalling the spirit of John Lennon's early '70s solo piano-anchored material.

Other standout selections include the mesmerizing "All Come True" with its myriad of musical layers, the psychedelic rocker "Thank You World," breezy aptly-titled "Sunshine," evocative "What Does It Mean Now" and otherworldly "When The Rainbow Comes." The collection ends with the affecting genre-defying closer "Always."

For a deeper dive into Wallinger's amazing legacy, check out the the Waterboys' 1985 masterwork This Is The Sea — that album finds Wallinger co-producing many of the tracks as well as contributing backing vocals, synth bass, percussion, piano and organ. Wallinger formed World Party in 1986 shortly after leaving the Waterboys. 

Information: worldparty.net