The World as It Is Today is the third and last album by English avant-rock group Art Bears. It was recorded at Sunrise Studio in Kirchberg, Switzerland between 24 August and 7 September 1980, and was first released in 1981. For technical reasons, the original release of this album on LP vinyl record was pressed on a 12" disc at 45-rpm, and not the usual 33⅓ rpm. The World As It Is Today picks up from where Winter Songs left us, dangling over a precipice staring down at jagged rocks and slavering beasties. This next release drops us neatly off. From the haunting and ethereal Albion, Awake! to the lumbering and brain squishing being dragged face down over broken glass through hell maniacal marching theme of Democracy there is something here for everyone. This recording has possibly the longest and most tortured scream ever put to tape (just the thing for a recalcitrant Monday morning). Some may find the political content a tad strident. This is not a recording to drift gently off to sleep with, perhaps it would be best played whilst trying to toilet train a grumpy hyena. Tea and sledgehammers done as only the British can. Refreshingly confronting. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.