CD-Charts Position 1
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Entertainment

by: Gang Of Four

Release Date January 23, 1995
Is there a less appealing musical term than `white funk'? The phrase conjures up any number of appalling possibilities, but that's exactly what `Entertainment!' is. And it's a fantastic album - perhaps the definitive post-punk LP.

Musically, `Entertainment!' melds elements of punk, funk, rock, and dub. The bass sound is much more prominent than in most `white' albums of the time to create a curiously uptight, precisely-drilled form of punk/funk - a long way from the seemingly loose-limbed sound of Black America patented by James Brown.

Lyrically, the album is fascinating. Could any other album give a critique on the Marxist concept of alienated labour (as `Entertainment!' does in `Natural's Not In It') and remain ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Songs of the Free

by: Gang Of Four

Release Date August 18, 2008
Is there a less appealing musical term than `white funk'? The phrase conjures up any number of appalling possibilities, but that's exactly what `Entertainment!' is. And it's a fantastic album - perhaps the definitive post-punk LP.

Musically, `Entertainment!' melds elements of punk, funk, rock, and dub. The bass sound is much more prominent than in most `white' albums of the time to create a curiously uptight, precisely-drilled form of punk/funk - a long way from the seemingly loose-limbed sound of Black America patented by James Brown.

Lyrically, the album is fascinating. Could any other album give a critique on the Marxist concept of alienated labour (as `Entertainment!' does in `Natural's Not In It') and remain ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Brief History of the 20th Century

by: Gang Of Four

Release Date January 19, 2004
This is politics and rock at it's finest post punk moment.The Gang of Four have a genuinely unique sound that many a current band is deeply indebted to.And this is one of the best 'Best of' compilations I have come across, firstly they are far from mean at 20 tracks and just over 77minutes long. But the addition of the live track "What We All Want" is a gem, better than the record version. Having bought all their albums on vinyl I was absolutely delighted when this came out. The Gang Of Four are avowedly left wing and hyper critical of governments, armies, capitalism, greed, imperialism ets etc. No holds barred, with extra sustained guitar sounds with great blockbeat drumming at one extreme, to really dancy numbers particularly from the latter end of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Hard

by: Gang Of Four

Release Date August 18, 2008
We usually hate it when our favourite bands 'evolve.' Although we find it difficult to admit, we secretly want them to keep making that same debut album over and over again.

History has led us to believe Gang Of Four made a fantastic debut album (Entertainment!), a strong second album (Solid Gold), a good third album (Song of the Free) and a dreadful final album.

If you were to 'free your mind' a little there's a good chance you'll come to the conclusion the 1983 album Hard is actually quite good. I too was a little shocked when I first heard it all those years ago. I remember my sister announcing "blimey, they now sound like the bloody Bee Gees!" while we first listened to the pre-album single titled Is "Is It Love."

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CD-Charts Position 5
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Solid Gold/Another Day, Another Dollar

by: Gang Of Four

Release Date April 26, 2004
Like the Jesus and Mary Chain trying to follow up 'Psychocandy' and any other band that had the misfortune to make a debut album that is very much a definitive statement, listening to 'Solid Gold', after being familair with Entertainment, feels like an anti-climax.
That debut album still sounds fresh and original, whereas the follow up betryaed the era more and you could say certain tracks were more similar to other acts knocking around at that time. 'History's Bunk' from the 'Another Day , Another Dollar' ep included on this reissue is a ringer for Wire.
Crucially though, this album contains some of their best work outside of Entertainment. The opener 'Paralysed' sees Andy Gill on fine form - a spooky spoken word account in the first person of a man ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Return the Gift [2 CD]

by: Gang of Four

Release Date October 10, 2005
The original line-up of Gang of Four - Dave Allen, Hugo Burnham, Andy Gill & Jon King - were very kind to reform a year or so ago, chiefly to recreate their classic Entertainment! debut for the Don't Look Back Festival. Gang of Four were one of those bands who were great early on, offering up the classic Damaged Goods e.p. on Fast Records prior to their strong debut; their sophomore release Solid Gold (1980) wasn't quite as great, though coupled with the Another Day, Another Dollar e.p. it's as necessary. After that the band drifted off target, Allen leaving to form Shriekback as the trio carried on with the albums Songs of the Free and Hard, which both suffered from the wrong production, 80s hedonism, and the fact they sounded like a blend of Heaven 17 and London ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Shrinkwrapped

by: Gang Of Four

Release Date October 01, 1995
Gang of Four emerged right at the end of the seventies, in the brief moment between the end of the first wave of punk and the arrival of the mascara'ed-up New Romantics. Their sound was totally original and owed nothing to either movement. Fast forward to 1995 and "Shrinkwrapped", which finds the band's trademark rhythmicality, jagged guitars, melody, feedback and often political lyrics still in place and still gelling. It's slightly slower and a touch less abrasive than "Entertainment", but it's still very raw. There's no flab on this: no blues-based noodling or anything like that. The fact that Gang of Four (along with Killing Joke) are said to have paved the way for US dance- and industrial-rock would be of purely academic interest if their own output was poor - but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Mall

by: Gang of Four

Release Date May 07, 1991
Gang of Four emerged right at the end of the seventies, in the brief moment between the end of the first wave of punk and the arrival of the mascara'ed-up New Romantics. Their sound was totally original and owed nothing to either movement. Fast forward to 1995 and "Shrinkwrapped", which finds the band's trademark rhythmicality, jagged guitars, melody, feedback and often political lyrics still in place and still gelling. It's slightly slower and a touch less abrasive than "Entertainment", but it's still very raw. There's no flab on this: no blues-based noodling or anything like that. The fact that Gang of Four (along with Killing Joke) are said to have paved the way for US dance- and industrial-rock would be of purely academic interest if their own output was poor - but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Rigour,discipline & Disgust (Fast Product Records)

by: Gang of Four, The Mekons, Human League

Release Date
Gang of Four emerged right at the end of the seventies, in the brief moment between the end of the first wave of punk and the arrival of the mascara'ed-up New Romantics. Their sound was totally original and owed nothing to either movement. Fast forward to 1995 and "Shrinkwrapped", which finds the band's trademark rhythmicality, jagged guitars, melody, feedback and often political lyrics still in place and still gelling. It's slightly slower and a touch less abrasive than "Entertainment", but it's still very raw. There's no flab on this: no blues-based noodling or anything like that. The fact that Gang of Four (along with Killing Joke) are said to have paved the way for US dance- and industrial-rock would be of purely academic interest if their own output was poor - but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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100 Flowers Bloom [Us Import]

by: Gang of Four

Release Date December 23, 1999
If you've heard a lot of Gang of Four you'll agree that the latest Muse album has some real Gang of Four guitar to it. This band were great. Their influence may have been limited to just a few bands like Suites from Strangers (big on the London scene during the 90s) with their post punk raw edge style. The guitar was so edgy even U2 or Weller soundeed limp by comparisson. A great compliation... Add it to your collection. One day they'll be rediscovered.