Gang Of Four - Entertainment! CD


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Entertainment! CD music Product Information

Entertainment! music CDs Product Description

Propelled by a political mission and some wicked bass playing, the Gang of Four released ENTERTAINMENT in 1979." Entertainment! album Natural's Not In It" displays Hugo Burnham's edgy drumming style, not quiet in sync at any given moment but perfect for the mood of the songs. The short, abrupt bursts of guitar on "Damaged Goods" echo Jon King's harsh sentiments about the political nature of everything human-lust, in this case. "I Found That Essence Rare" boasts a catchy rhythm section that, along with its sawing guitars and manifesto-like lyrics, helped to influence a number of other bands, most notably the Mission of Burma.

Though King sings, "Two steps forward, six steps back" (in "At Home He's a Tourist"), the only reason Gang of Four could have for stepping back is that they are so far ahead of the curve. Closing the album is "Anthrax," a jolting roller coaster wherein love is equated with the dreaded disease as the music drips feedback from between its poison-soaked teeth. This record is--without question--one of the most important records from the punk era. And, while the album's title was almost certainly intended as sarcasm, this is also a really good listen.

Originally released as 2 separate EPs.

Includes liner notes by Flea.

Debut album originally released in 1979. EMI.

Personnel: Andrew Gill (vocals, guitar, drums); Jon King (vocals); Hugo Burnham (drums).

Audio Remasterers: Ken Perry; Bill Inglot.

Arranger: Gang of Four. Rolling Stone (p. 82) - 4. 5 stars out of 5 - "[They] smashed punk into pieces by embracing funk, dub and disco, making music as radical as their politics. "
Spin (5/01, p. 108) - Ranked #7 in Spin's "50 Most Essential Punk Records" - "...These angualr and abrasive post-punkers from Leeds, England, used the scalpel of Marxist theory to slice through the mystifications of labor, love, and rock'n'roll..."
Spin (p. 107) - "Punk-funk agitprop begins here. "
Spin (p. 140) - "Barked funk marches that snap your dendrites to attention..."
Entertainment Weekly (2/5/95, pp. 53-54) - "...strangely enduring.... a band whose informed dogma transcended fashion statement and socialist chic..."
- Rating: A+
Q (5/02 SE, p. 138) - 5 stars out of 5 - Included in Q's "100 Best Punk Albums" - "...This debut showed that both modernism and futurism in rock could be a brash, thrilling thing..."
Alternative Press (p. 111) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Fischerspooner have deftly combined nuanced, layered electronic soundscapes with urgent vocals in a way that doesn't sound manufactured or overly produced..."
Magnet (p. 112) - "Andy Gill's spindly, sharp-edged guitar and Dave Allen's careening bass make 'At Home He's A Tourist' an infectious romp..."
Mojo (Publisher) (3/03, p. 76) - Ranked #15 in Mojo's "Top 50 Punk Albums" - "...[Their] deconstructed guitars and neo-Marxist textbook lyrics added a thrilling experimental funk dimension to the genre..."

Gang Of Four - Entertainment! Album Track Listing

	Trk	Song
	1	Ether See All 6
	2	Natural's Not In It See All 9
	3	Not Great Men See All 7
	4	Damaged Goods See All 6
	5	Return The Gift See All 6
	6	Guns Before Butter See All 3
	7	I Found That Essence Rare See All 5
	8	Glass See All 3
	9	Contract See All 4
	10	At Home He's a Tourist See All 8
	11	5.45 See All 2
	12	Anthrax See All 6
	13	Outside The Trains Don't Run On Time See All 5
	14	He'd Send in the Army See All 6
	15	It's Her Factory See All 6

Entertainment! songs Product Details

Label	EMI Music Distribution
Orig Year	1979
CD Universe Part number	1269197
Catalog number	8321462
Discs	1
Studio/Live	Studio
Producer	Gang Of Four; Jon King; Andrew Gill; Rob Warr
Engineer	Rick Walton
Recording Time	49 minutes

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5 stars
Brilliant Debut to a Brilliant Career
Every once in a while a truly original band comes along that creates, in effect, a new form of music. The Gang of Four sounded like nothing that came before (or after, though many have tried to copy). One can debate whether this is better than their 2nd album "Solid Gold" -- I think they are both equally brilliant. Still, this one is definitely more accessible and a must-have!
By Jason

(1) (0)

4 stars
Hard rocking gem
An abrasive rocking album from a minimalist punk band. Definitely a band from a different time...a good one. The bass lines and drums are fierce but never intrude on the delivery of very smart lyrics. Great record!
By Rob

(1) (0)

5 stars
great post punk
great post punk new wave from go4 on there first album to me this was the best one they did. they went down hill a bit after this. if you are a fan of the revillos you will love this
By SAXONMAN

(0) (0)

5 stars
Funk Punk
The bassist is really funky. The guitarist is permanently havin' some James Brown style guitar freak-out, "Hey, I'm Tom Morello from the past", personality crisis. The lead singer thinks he's in some sissy-anti-EVERYTHING, wannabe-Punk New Nave band. "The drummer?" He keeps pace with a throbbing drum beat. Funk Punk. Now THAT's Entertainment!

P.S.

Hope you enjoy being brainwashed because THAT'S the GENIUS of this album!
By rockstar494

(0) (0)

5 stars
One of the few perfect records ever made!!!
This album is one of my favorites. Smart lyrics with angular and abrasive guitars and funky funky basslines. This entire album is amazing from start to finish. "Damaged Goods", "Ether", "5:45", "At Home He Feels Like A Tourist", and all the rest are great. If you don't own this, you should buy it immediately. Scout's honor.
By saltvamp

(0) (0)