Public Image: First Issue

This album is annoying as fuck, and I am totally here for it.

love the religion song

There's something about Keith Levine's sheet metal guitar set against Jah Wobble's lumbering sub bass that I can't get enough of on Theme. It's kind of weird that the lead single off this invented U2. That aside it's the other truly genius moment. Annalisa and Low Life are also fantastic. The lyrics on Relgion don't bother me although they are at the clumsily blunt end of Lydon's style. But I can't help but love his OTT delivery. The riff however and the change up to the chorus are a bit of a plod.

Great album

really liked it favourite song - Religion I 9/10

A template for post-punk. The leap from Sex Pistols to this for Lydon is amazing, and this album has stood the test of time far better than either him or his first band. This translates the Punk energy into something far more open to possibility, bringing in influences like reggae and dub in a way that The Clash never quite managed. The fact that the follow-up was even more groundbreaking is astonishing. I love the stompy tracks here best: Annalise and Attack especially. One slight niggle - I'd have loved to hear the immense backing track that is Fodderstomp taken a bit more seriously, but I guess it's kind of punk in attitude, and also hinted at what was to come musically with Metal Box. Even better (and faster) than I remembered it.

There's an awful lot going on here: you can't ignore Lydon's cry for help - but even an instrumental version of this album would rate highly. Levene's guitar is like a dental drill; Wobble's bass sends you dizzy. Even the drums sound unlike what you would expect. There's something of a rock god feel to them, but somehow they still slot into the jigsaw. It's a fucked up picture, for sure. But that's how I like my music.

Kind of UR moment for new wave I love the record, but it’s obviously sort of difficult listening at times

Hell yeah

the album did it's job at pissing people off. Truly Punk at heart, Anti-ART like how swans earlier days and Glenn Branca + british punk sounds. Not for the faint of heart. Truly Outstanding!!! my forth time repeating the whole album again.

yes yes yes

Killer. A game changer.

Hørt mest på "Album" og likt det godt. Dette er også jævlig kult. Det er egentlig en bedre plate enn Never Mind the Bollocks også. Alt sitter helt fra åpningssporet og jeg innser igjen at Lydon er en utrolig kul vokalist. Låtutvalget er variert og spennende og tittelsporet er top tier new wave/postpunk og mye tenderer mot kunstrock. Har litt den samme følelsen som jeg har rundt Harry Styles. Altså at One Direction er et band som høres ut som det er satt sammen av forretningsfolk, og når man hører Harry Styles solo så er det litt sånn "ah, så det var dette du egentlig ville holde på med?" og en generell overraskelse over talentet i både han og Lydon. Har også hørt en del på de rosa platene i Norske albumklassikere, som er K-Z-utgivelser, eller kassettbevegelsen om man kan kalle det, og jeg kan ikke skjønne annet enn at denne plata må ha slått ned som en bombe der og skapt sikkert 70 prosent av platene der.

Tøft! Dette er slik jeg alltid ønsket at punk skulle være, hadde bare all postpunk vært slik og!

A great "middle finger to the world" type of album, from start to finish. 5 stars!

Awesome

punkste plaat aller tijden... Rotten laat succesvolle Sex Pistols achter zich en brengt een plaat uit die iedereen shockeert... wall of sound, noise, "zang", 2x zelfde nummer... een uitgestoken middelvinger naar fans en criticasters...

Brilliant

Genius.

najs

Another surprise. Didn't think I would like this, but I do... a lot. I'm adding it to my Tidal library and giving it five stars, 'cos it's loads of fun to listen to.

голос необычен, но не в моем вкусе

A great record full of abrasive hits. It sounds way more dangerous then sex pistols.

Classic album. A statement of intent.

one of those records where you can *hear* how influential it was, all these years later. blimey.

cool record. you can definitely feel how it is like an evolution of the sex pistols. definitely still has that johnny rotten attitude, but it's a little more subdued and a lot more sleeker. i didn't know what to expect out of this one but was really surprised! definitely one i am going to revisit.

Kova

Never been a fan of the Pistols, so came into this not expecting much. Amateur move, as this is a delightful slab of post-punk indulgence. The whole thing sounds like it was recorded on your mate Colin's shitty 4 track in the garage, and it probably was, but the low-fi production totally suits this record down to the ground. Rotton's slurred ramblings are excellent. Favourite tracks: seems to me like a record that should just be played from start to finish, just like Grandma used to.

What an odd yet somehow enthralling record. It totally sucks me in, and it's not what I expected Johnny Rotten to do after Sex Pistols. I quite liked both Religions and even the weird ending song is a fun listen. This is great

This was an incredible listen. I ended up really enjoying this.

If "Never Mind The Bollocks" was an intense close-up, this is a wide-shot, expanding the scope of Lydon's snarling lyrics into something more interesting and diverse.

Public image Ltd are great

mort feature goes crazy on the last song

Given that Sex Pistols were a boy band, and that John Lydon is now almost completely unlikable and disconnected from any principles he may have had, I kind of forgot that Publid Image Ltd. Had several albums of fascinating and genuinely subversive music. A far cry from the relative sugary sweetness of the Sex Pistols, First Issue begins with a grinding 9 minute noise rock song (Theme) without any kind of identifiable riff, just expressive wailing feedback and John Lydon screaming a mantra about wanting to die. It's insane and exhilarating, and honestly it serves as a striking mission statement from a band who were genuinely looking to push punk somewhere stranger and darker than *most* bands were willing to look. Annalise is similarly punishing. But there is a little respite here, Public Image, Low Life and Attack have a little more structurally in common with a more conventional punk album, but with the distinct, signature bitterness and wonderfully bad vibes that are on display here. And we gear shift back up with Fodderstompf, which is a fascinating piece of funeral dub, in which Lydon's vocals are pushed so far past the point of parody that they *must* be taken seriously. I think the only low point may be Religion (1 in particular). I can look past it a little on 2, because there's a whole song there. And I do think that critique of religion is pretty much essential in society, but it shoots for shock over substance, and ends up sounding clunky and ridiculous. And this is at it's worst on Religion 1, which is basically a slam poetry recitation of what, in 2026, I can only read as Reddit atheist zingers like "Pray to the God of a bitch, spelled backwards is dog" and "Do you pray to the Holy Ghost, when you suck your host?". I dunno, in the song, delivered by Lydon, it kind of feels like he's trying to be cute and cheeky with it, and I just don't think it really works. But regardless of this little rough patch, this is a fantastic album, and a real curve ball that stopped Lydon from being doomed to die as "The Sex Pistols Guy", all while genuinely pushing punk into new and challenging places.

I have and like their next album, this one I don't know apart from that 1 song. Sighed at the track lenghts but first track is interesting enough, and it carries on like that. Surprised. Last song is pretty terrible though, 3.5 rounded up Heard before? Song Owned: No, 90/341 (26%) Will I get: No

I enjoyed this album. I loved its simple, raw sound, which captured the essence of London punk. My favorite tracks were Public Image and Low Life. Its directness was exactly what appealed to me.

Man hört den Lead Sänger der Sex Pistols und das ist gut so! Es gab gute Musik in den 70er, wenn auch spärlich

i enjoyed it!

A bit weird but actually enjoyed this a fair amount, it’s quite industrial post-punk but also quite rhythmic. Some of the tracks are quite long but it works.

Oof, I was dreading this one. I heard bits of this album in passing, but wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m very glad I was proven wrong. This album came out just a year after the one and only Sex Pistols album, just as the 70s punk/new wave merge was starting. Sex Pistols’ influence on the industry is contested nowadays, but they definitely at least set a standard. Johnny Rotten has always been a controversial figure (and still is) but is at least consistent in his role as a contrarian. He does have a great delivery on the album whether he’s pleading for death on the first track to making fun of disco music on the last one. These off-the-cuff riffings have always been part of the punk genre, but the dedication to making them work as a whole performance, regardless of how “stripped down” it is is very fun. The instrumental work on this is ELITE. I can see how Levene, Walker, and Wobble rubbed off on future post punk musicians for decades to come. Favorite track: Public Image

More interesting and enduring than the Sex Pistols.

Dub reggae with distortion. Like post punk dub. No thanks to John Lydon. He's as annoying as always. Jah Wobble is the genius behind this thing. Great debut.

Certainly ahead of its time, not consistently listenable, but some great tracks on here (lowlife especially)

Me encantó, realmente me sorprendió, sabe mezclar muy bien el punk con música más experimental y cosas poco comunes para la época, se nota la influencia de la new wave y cómo fue importante para desarrollar el sonido del post-punk.

This was the first time that I listened to a PIL album and I thought it was pretty good. I like it a bit more than the Sex Pistols actually. I think the song Low Life sounded a lot like a Pixies tune.

It’s been quite a while since I last listened to this album and it’s generally better than I remember. Perhaps not up to the high watermark of Metal Box but you can hear the direction they are moving in creatively. Notable tracks Public Image which is Lydon’s snarling transition away from the Pistols and Religion pts 1 &2

Prototypen för all postpunk som kom därefter 78/79. Rätt imponerande platta, innovativt, experimentellt och väldigt musikaliskt kompetent. Jag förstår de låga betygen då det verkligen inte smeker medhårs. Riktigt utmanande även 2026, kan bara tänka mig hur det kändes för alla sex pistols fans när den kom ut. Det är ärligehetens namn lite väl stark tobak även för mig, även om public image är en banger. 3/5

That marvellous dead-eyed implacable stare on the cover, a perfect visual for this challenging music, music of reinvention, rebirth, and music that sowed the seeds for post punk. 4 stars for being awkward, difficult, and being it's own thing

It is heartening to see Public Image Ltd’s debut, "First Issue", included here. To this day it is an album that remains as likely to alienate listeners as it is to inspire and thrill them; I certainly fall into the latter camp. By replacing traditional song structures with dub-heavy bass, abrasive guitars, and cold, spacious production, the tracks move away from conventional song-writing toward atmospheric soundscapes saturated with attitude. I can well appreciate that it can be a challenging listen for some. As one of the earliest post-punk records, it sounded unlike anything else when I first purchased it years ago and certainly nothing like The Sex Pistols! Beyond John Lydon’s iconic and polarising vocals, the album features Keith Levene’s superb guitar work and a formidable rhythm section comprising Jim Walker on drums and Jah Wobble, whose bass playing is both brilliant and highly distinctive. I enjoy this album immensely and am glad there is a place for music such as this; it is eight tracks of wonderful noise. As a final point, and if you are not familiar and want to explore further, the two albums that follow are arguably even better. Side one 1 "Theme" (5/5) 2 "Religion I" (4/5) 3 "Religion II" (4/5) 4 "Annalisa" (5/5) Side two 5 "Public Image" (5/5) 6 "Low Life" (4/5) 7 "Attack" (4/5) 8 "Fodderstompf" (4/5) Total - 36.00 Average - 4.50 278/1001 148/278 albums reviewed were new to me

Det va rare greier, det! Ikke helt for mæ, men æ har vel kanskje hørt verre (men ikke så mye verre).

I've listened to PiL's Metal Box before and couldn't get into it at all because of the vocals. After listening to this I will definitely give that album one more chance because this is phenomenal. The instrumentation is amazing, especially the basslines - they feel so deep, it's like they take over your whole body. The sound is angry and chaotic, all builds up into this ball of rage. I love the manic screams of I WISH I COULD DIE on the first song. What a way to start an album. What a perfect tone setter too, really matches the vibe of the whole thing. The album fires non stop and on all cylinders up until the last song, which is this experimental rock sound collage that somehow works. Very exciting album that makes me want to dive deeper into their discography.

i think i’ve heard of this band and album before. apple music calls it punk, i wasn’t really expecting that. it feels new wave-y to me, judging by the cover and band name. i’m excited :) i also think it’s funny there’s an hour long interview attached to the apple music release, and that’s the only version of the album on apple music. HOLY SHIT WHAT AN OPENING. i’m a little stoned for this one. this is johnny rotten????? i didn’t know he had this shit in him holy goddamn. the mixing / panning on this is weird as fuck, but it doesn’t really bother me. it’s pretty sick. my head hurts. whoever mixed this is an insane person. i love the bassist on this. mmmmm bass guitar. i accidentally fell asleep during the last song, i gotta go back and listen to it again. i’m thinking a 5 atm honestly. i’m sober now, listening to that last track again. it’s crazy, for sure. i like the audacity of it. i still like it a lot. i can imagine myself revisiting this. 5

weird but okay

So funny how a different day changes your perspective on music. I had the other Public Image Ltd. album 5 days ago and couldn't get through it, but today, with this album, I'd listen to it again. I should probably listen to the other one again, even though I can't edit my original rating.

Abrasive and beautiful. I loved it.

There are good songs on this album. I even liked some of them. I think John Lydon is super pretentious, but his tuneless singing, the tin-pan drums, tight pocket bass lines, and odd guitar really come together to make something more than the sum of its parts.

Would be five because this album is fantastic, but I cannot justify the sheer length of Fodderstompf, even if the lyrics and concept are good.

I saw this when I woke up this morning and was dreading listening go it because Metal Box was so shitty. This one is actually pretty good, though! They actually wrote some songs for this one!

Atmospheric

This is the good stuff.

Angular dancy post punk with John Lydon on vox. Johnny is on point throughout, but the songs get a little long. And then there's Fodderstomph. Closer to 4.5

Heel tof! Kende ik niet

Damn, ale tłusty punk. Otwierający utwór jest tak genialnie paranoiczny, uwielbiam. Pure insanity. "Religion" też mega mocne, zwłaszcza jak na 1978. Ciekawy zabieg z tym podwójnym wykonaniem, ta deklamacja w pierwszym jest świetnym łącznikiem pomiędzy wysokim poziomem niepokoju w pierwszym kawałku do protest songu w następnym. No i ma to mnóstwo mocy, zrobił się z tego manifest. "Annalisa" też mi mega siadło. Album jest trudny do słuchania. To nie jest muzyka do puszczenia sobie w drodze do pracy, więc ciężko mi sobie wyobrazić moment, w którym stwierdzę "posłuchałbym sobie Public Image" dzisiaj. Ale za to mocne otwarcie w pierwszej połowie albumu daję jednak 4. Wywarł na mnie spore wrażenie.

Hi ha altres àlbums d’aquest estil que m’agraden més però una mica de PiL never hurt anybody.

It was years before I knew that Johnny Rotten was the driving force behind Public Image Limited. So far I love this. I really only knew “Rise” before. This opening track feels like Black Flag playing through the Clash’s gear. This album is pretty brilliant. And I really like it as much as I like “Rise”. The Song “Public Image” is great. While I love the Sex pistols, I like this band more. I feel like this stated new wave.

this was fun i didnt know johnny rotten was in this band omg but yes the title track and theme were my faves the end track was a bit odd but overall good

I’m at a 3.5 that I wish I could leave there, but I think I’m going to bump this down to a 3. For the site though, I'll give it a 4. I feel a little bad, honestly. I don’t think I gave “Metal Box” a very fair shake at all. It was the 15th album we got, my brain wasn’t very inclined to deal with an album that had a 2.42 rating, and I wasn’t even really sure I wanted to commit to doing the entire list. My original goal was just to listen to an album every day in 2024, and I was willing to skip albums on the list to fulfill my quota for THAT goal. I think I initially skipped Metal Box, in terms of a focused listen, only giving it a half-hearted shot as background noise that I truly don’t remember anything of. By all accounts, I need to go back & truly listen to it, because I only wrote 8 words the first time around: “i liked it better when he wasn’t singing”, before slapping it with a 2 & moving on. I couldn’t even be fucking bothered to realize that “he” is Johnny fucking Rotten, & Public Image Ltd. is his post-Sex Pistols project, now going under his real name of John Lydon. Given the 723 albums we’ve gotten since then, and my own slow appreciation for post-punk, shoegaze, post-rock, or whatever multitudes of genres & artists we’ve since gotten that fall into the same metal box as this album, I figured I would probably appreciate this a little more, and I did. When this album is at its best, it’s rolling in a way that if nothing else, creates a cool atmosphere. It’s just not the best at consistently hitting a peak, and that slightly bumpy roller coaster is most of the reason that I’m stuck at a 3.5. “Theme” is pretty cool, honestly. It feels like an attempt to do what shoegaze bands of the ‘80s would come to truly realize, but with the technology of 1978 not really allowing for atmospheric sound design in that overblown way, it feels like more of a novelty. It’s like Nine Inch Nails without any pretense lyrically (just straight up saying “I wish I could die”), and it feels like the wiggly warbly awkward guitar is a compromise for being unable to capture texture in that way. I thought it was cool, and somehow, the 9 minutes didn’t bother me. “Religion I” is nice – it’s just a good poem about the woes of religion. It’s when you get to “Religion II” and its awkward panning / mix that the album hits its first big snag. I didn’t hate “Religion II”, but it’s incessant in a way that just feels like a rehash with awkward drums & bass put behind it. It’s not very compelling or super pleasing, plus it’s just melodically inconsistent. An unnecessary track. “Annalisa” is good, though. It’s based on a real girl who suffered psychological torture due to undergoing intense exorcism rituals, eventually being practically starved & paralyzed to death. As a song, it’s a bit padded in the runtime, with the cool ending of the “demon” inside of her breaking the instrumental down being undermined by that length. If it had shaved about a minute or so in the middle, it would’ve flowed really well, but it’s still a good track regardless. “Public Image” is just a really good release of frustration about the Sex Pistols. The instrumental feels like a mid-80s track, the vocals are good, & the lyricism is damning in a good way. It’s the most played track on the album for a reason, and it’s probably the best one here. “Low Life” is another diss, seemingly aimed at the lead manager for the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren. I think the higher pitch of the track is intentional, to place him higher than the person he’s talking about, and that’s an example of good witty production. It’s a little bit long for what it is, given the repetition in the vocals / lyrics, but overall, the track works. “Attack” is fine – it’s likely a frustration being released over the public outcry following “God Save The Queen” back on “Never Mind The Bollocks”, but as an actual track, I think the sense of progression doesn’t feel as good as it could, with the track teasing a faster percussive tone that never comes to fruition. I liked it, but it needs a bit more work to make that progression feel better. “Fodderstompf” is… well, it’s not useless, at least not for the first 3 minutes or so. The experimental nature of the instrumental, bringing in a little bit of an electronica / Daft Punk vibe is pretty cool for 1978, and it does feel like it could still be sampled today. The pussyfooting around with a goofy admission that it’s a track made to pad out the album, along with the sort of goofy deranged grandma voice that John does, feels kinda charming for the first 3 minutes. And then it just keeps fucking going. At nearly 8 minutes, it feels like watching a comedy act lose its novelty in real time, and it just leaves a really sour note to close out the album. If it had stopped after the first 3, I’d probably be willing to bump this up to a 4, just for ending a good comedic note, but it’s just incessant by the end. It doesn’t need to be 8 minutes. With all of the little issues combined & the 2 bigger snags of “Religion II” & “Fodderstompf”, I just feel like I have to bump this down from a 3.5 to a 3. Make no mistake, though; I did enjoy this one. If those two tracks weren’t there (or just mixed better / trimmed down), I’d easily be at a 4. This doesn’t quite get up to the range of a 5, but it’s a genuinely enjoyable album in its nicest moments. All that said, I don’t think this is an album so bad that it deserves a 2.43 on the site, & I probably need to give “Metal Box” a fair relisten, with my tastes growing much more since then. Despite my belief that this is a 3.5 bumped down to a 3, I want to give it a 4 on the site, just as a vote of confidence & as a bit of atonement for only giving “Metal Box” a 2 despite barely engaging with it. I think it’s earned that. In closing, I liked it better when he sang this time. Good job, John.

The last song kinda took it down a notch for me, I liked most of it though.

After quitting the Sex Pistols, one of the pioneering punk bands, John Lydon created this, a pioneering post-punk band. Brilliant progression, that. Amid knotty, gnarled basslines are sung pretty typically punk lyrics about religion and the government and the like. And y'know what? It works for me! I'm a fan of post-punk in general, and this band definitely delivers on the elements I enjoy about the genre.

Shocked how much I enjoyed this despite it being QUITE obnoxious.

I like this, it's good punk-y rock-y background music

They only wanted to be loved.

Being a Sex Pistols agnostic, I never put any time or effort into PiL. Listened as I decorated for Christmas with my kids. A little evisceration of organized religion warmed my Christmas cockles, and the vague ska vibe on a couple later tracks got my head bobbin’. Not 100%, but a decent first touch.

PIL got so much better after this album. It is great but nowhere their best. Mr. Lydon should give it a break now, but this was groundbreaking at the time but also a bit annoying. 4 out of 5

Противный пилящий звук, под стать текстам.

*This grew on me as the album went on. *Great guitar tone and very pointed lyrics...I could see how its reputation improved over time *Cool album art with the magazine cover theme

Post-punk experimental noise album, I liked the first 2/3rds quite a bit. The end of the record was not as good, even though I did find Fodderstompf to be interesting. The song reminded me of Krautrock with the sustained beat and monotonous vocals. Annalisa and Public Image were standouts.

Jeg tror jeg sov på PiL i lang tid fordi Sex Pistols egentlig er ganske mid, men nå har jeg visst i nesten like lang tid at PiL skal være bra, så jeg har ikke noen unskyldning for å ikke ha dedikert ordentlig med tid til dem tidligere. Vi befinner oss i 1978, riktignok helt på tampen av året, og mens jeg hører åpningssporet, Theme, begynner jeg å lure på hvem som eventuelt har laget musikk som høres ut som dette tidligere. Nå har jeg gravd litt i ting jeg har hørt og ting jeg har hørt om, men mesteparten kommer ut i 1979 og utover -- i hvert fall med en LP av materiale. I UK hadde Wire allerede begynt å lage Art Punk og gitt ut to små mesterverk -- Pink Flag (1977) og Chairs Missing (1978) -- men PiL beveger seg lenger ut av punk-formen enn det Wire gjør. I USA har Pere Ubu i 1978 gitt ut både Modern Dance og Dub Housing (henoldsvis i januar og november) og Chrome har gitt ut Alien Sountracks (1977). Begge disse gruppene er hakket mer experimenterende med formen & soundet enn det Wire er, og kan ha vært forløpere til PiL, men aner ikke om de hadde hørt dette. Utover disse, finner jeg ikke så mye musikk som høres like avvikende ut som First Issue og som fortsatt befinner seg i populærmusikkens domene anno 1978. Det er naturlig å nevne de som var noise rock typ 15 år før det egentlig var en "greie" -- White Light/White Heat og Fun House -- men der VU og Stooges fortsatt var veldig rocka, ligger PiL på de beste sporene samtid nære experimentelle verker av minimalister som kom ut av La Monte Youngs Dream House, slik som Tony Conrad og John Cale. (Tony Conrad & Faust's Outside the Dream Syndicate fra 1973 er noe jeg tenker på som en slags forfader.) Theme er det beste exempelet på hva jeg snakker om. Hadde det ikke vært for Theme, hadde jeg nok ikke dykket ned i kaninhullet over denne skiva. Spor som Religion I & II, Annalisa, Attack, og Fodderstompf viser også en vilje til å redefinere hva populærmusikken er og kan være, selv om det kun er Theme og Annalisa som virkelig demonsterer potensialet til gruppa. Public Image, tydeligvis det mest populær sporet på skiva, er også skivas minst interessante der det utvilsomt kommer nærmest å høres ut som Sex Pistols 2 (fulgt av Low Life både i sekvens og nærliggende sound). I 1979 kom det ut en drøss med album som gjorde lignende ting. Post-punken var i gang for fullt og fikk sitt platonske exempel i Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures,-- men det var noe annet igjen; enda mer bass-tungt og atmosphærisk; selve grunnlaget til både synthpop og gothic rock. PiL var blant avant garden til det som ble no wave og noise rock; det vi i mangel på et mer konsist begrep løst kaster under paraplyen experimental rock. I anledningen av å ha skrevet så jævlig mye, måtte jeg også gi Metal Box -- som jeg visste skulle være deres magnum opus -- en lytt, og det gleder meg at PiL hadde de samme ideene om bandets sound. Det er en videreutvikling av de repetitive, suggerende, abrasive, og til tider dansevennlige elementene fra First Issue. Oppledningen til 80-tallet var en helt utrolig periode for gitar-basert musikk, og det er ikke før overgangen til 90-tallet at vi skal se en like fruktbar periode for "rocken" enn det vi så da post-punk/new wave ble til. Det lå selvfølgelig ikke dødt på 80-tallet heller, spesielt ikke hvis man liker metal, men det var mye mer scattershot enn disse voldsomme epochene der man fikk sjangeroverskridende album opptil flere ganger i måneden. Kudos til John(ny) Lydon/Rotten for å ha vært frontmann i to av de mest innflytelsesrike bandene fra 70-tallet, men det er Jah Wobble og Keith Levine som er de største bidragsyterne til hvorfor PiL er så rått som det er.

While John created some great tracks as PiL I never felt he quite attained the same heights as the Pistols

7/10

man is lowkey suicidal n i respect it

Joy Division’s erratic little brother, Best thing John Lyndon’s ever been a part of

(85/100)

I’m a bit of a sucker for post-punk apparently. Screaming punk but with catchy guitar licks and arty weirdness? Yes please.

as a former angsty teen, a nine minute track heavily featuring the lyrics 'i wish i could die' is unfortunately right up my alley.

Again, musically excellent but held back from 5 stars by the presence of talentless hack John Lydon.

Starts out super strong, but really fizzles out by the end. I think I like it a little more than Metal Box though. 3.5/5

Been a fan since I was young. Annalisa is such a powerful track. The album demands attention. Plus humorous lyrics. Love it.

Sure

Good

Great.

Mr Lydon is quite a divisive figure. I have always liked him, not necessarily his views. I do love his music. This is the first real post punk album and as such it is jarring in places. The playing of the band is excellent. Love it.

I kind of am a fan of PIL and Johnny. This is an important new wave album in my eyes.

Not my style but you can't deny the passion and influence.

176/1089 - Damn, this has nearly everything I hate in music but it's done really well. It's amazing what you can get away with as long as you have a good rhythm section.

OK. I am a way huge fan of * actual * punk. This is it. This is the real deal, even I was blown away as my exposure, which is hugely positive, towards PIL has always been "later" material. This album is kind of insane in a way considering simply how "hard" it is and how even then, political and social it is. I don't know enough to fully say, but I would suggest at least that PIL is very likely a band that is "highly" or "sorely" underrated. When people are asked about what they know of the punk era, PIL is probably an afterthought and it ought not be that way at all! If you want punk served unapologetically on a plate, here it is.

Johnny Rotten is a dick, but this PIL debut is better than any of the Sex Pistols.

**Public Image Ltd. – First Issue: An In-Depth Review** **Introduction** *First Issue*, the 1978 debut album by Public Image Ltd. (PiL), marked a seismic shift in the post-punk landscape. Fronted by John Lydon (formerly Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols), PiL’s inaugural statement was a radical departure from punk’s raw simplicity, embracing experimentalism, dub, and abrasive art-rock. The album’s legacy is that of a pioneering work, laying the foundation for post-punk’s evolution and influencing generations of musicians[1][2]. ## Lyrics **Themes and Approach** Lydon’s lyrics on *First Issue* are confrontational, introspective, and often scathing. He turns his pen against organized religion (“Religion I” and “Religion II”), the music industry, the media, and even his own past with the Sex Pistols. The words are less about storytelling and more about provocation and self-examination. - **“Public Image”** serves as both a manifesto and a rebuke. Lydon rails against the commodification of his persona, both by the press and his former bandmates. The line, “You only saw me for the clothes I wore,” is a direct shot at superficiality in punk and media[3][1]. - **“Religion I” and “Religion II”** attack religious hypocrisy with venomous clarity. The former is a spoken-word tirade, the latter a full-band assault. The lyrics were so controversial that the album was banned in Malta for offending public morals[2]. - **“Low Life”** and **“Attack”** continue the theme of personal and professional betrayal, targeting figures from Lydon’s past, especially Sex Pistols’ manager Malcolm McLaren[1]. - **“Annalisa”** is inspired by a real-life exorcism, using the story as a metaphor for the dangers of blind faith and authority. Lydon’s delivery is as important as the words themselves—sneering, sarcastic, and often unsettling. He uses repetition and abrupt phrasing to hammer home his points, making the lyrics feel like both a personal purge and a public indictment. ## Music **Instrumentation and Sound** *First Issue* is defined by its abrasive, experimental sound, which fuses punk’s aggression with dub’s spaciousness and art-rock’s dissonance. - **Keith Levene’s guitar** is the album’s most distinctive feature. He employs a trebly, metallic tone, often using effects and unconventional techniques to create a sense of unease. His playing is angular and unpredictable, eschewing traditional solos for textural noise[4][1]. - **Jah Wobble’s bass** is deep, melodic, and heavily influenced by dub reggae. His lines anchor the songs, providing a hypnotic groove beneath the chaos. The bass is often the melodic center, especially on tracks like “Theme” and “Public Image”[5]. - **Jim Walker’s drumming** is taut and minimalist, favoring rhythm over flash. The percussion is often mixed dry and upfront, contributing to the album’s stark atmosphere. **Song Highlights** - **“Theme”** opens the album with over nine minutes of relentless, grinding repetition. Levene’s guitar screeches and wails, while Wobble’s bass pulses ominously. The track is intentionally abrasive, setting the tone for the album’s confrontational stance[6]. - **“Public Image”** is the most accessible song, with a catchy bassline and anthemic chorus. It’s the closest the album comes to punk, but even here, the sound is more cerebral and less direct than the Sex Pistols[5]. - **“Fodderstompf”** closes the album with a bizarre, almost parodic disco-dub jam. The track is repetitive and intentionally silly, with Lydon chanting “We only wanted to be loved” over a looping groove. It’s divisive—some find it a brilliant anti-climax, others see it as self-indulgent filler[5]. ## Production **Aesthetic and Limitations** The album’s production is raw and unpolished, in part due to budget constraints and the band’s desire for autonomy. PiL self-produced the record, recording much of it in a reggae studio ill-suited for their abrasive sound[4]. The result is a lo-fi, sometimes muddy mix that emphasizes atmosphere over clarity. - The **bass and drums** are prominent, often overpowering the guitar and vocals. This gives the album a heavy, bottom-end focus, aligning it with dub and dance music as much as rock. - The **guitar** is often drenched in effects, creating a sense of distance and alienation. - The **vocals** are mixed dry and upfront, making Lydon’s sneer impossible to ignore. Some tracks, especially on the album’s second half, suffer from a lack of polish. The sound can be shallow and the arrangements feel ramshackle, a byproduct of the rushed and underfunded recording process[4]. ## Themes **Identity, Alienation, and Rebellion** *First Issue* is obsessed with questions of identity, authenticity, and the rejection of imposed roles. - **Media and Image:** The album’s title and the song “Public Image” directly address the creation and manipulation of public personas. Lydon rejects the image forced upon him by the press and the punk scene, demanding to be seen as an individual[3][1]. - **Religion and Authority:** “Religion I” and “Religion II” are scathing critiques of organized religion, exposing its hypocrisy and control over individuals. The tracks are less about faith and more about the dangers of unquestioned authority. - **Personal Betrayal:** Several songs address Lydon’s disillusionment with his former band and the music industry. There’s a sense of bitterness and liberation, as he uses the album to distance himself from his past. - **Experimentation and Freedom:** Musically and lyrically, the album is about breaking free from constraints—whether artistic, social, or personal. The band’s willingness to embrace noise, repetition, and unconventional song structures is itself a thematic statement. ## Influence *First Issue* is widely recognized as a foundational post-punk album, influencing countless artists and genres. - **Post-punk Evolution:** The album’s fusion of punk, dub, and experimental rock set the stage for bands like Joy Division, Gang of Four, and Wire. Its emphasis on rhythm, texture, and atmosphere became hallmarks of the genre[1][2]. - **Alternative and Indie Rock:** The abrasive guitar work and confrontational lyrics can be heard in later bands such as Sonic Youth, The Jesus Lizard, and Slint. Pitchfork noted that Levene’s guitar on “Public Image” is “the stuff Daydream Nations are made of,” referencing Sonic Youth’s seminal album[2]. - **Industrial and Dance Music:** The album’s use of repetition, noise, and dub techniques influenced early industrial acts and the development of dance-punk. Initially met with mixed reviews—*Sounds* gave it 2 out of 5 stars, and *NME* was similarly dismissive—the album’s reputation has grown over time. It is now considered a classic, included in *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die*[2]. ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | **Groundbreaking innovation:** Redefined what post-punk could be, fusing genres fearlessly[1][2]. | **Inconsistent production:** Some tracks sound muddy or unfinished due to budget and studio limitations[4]. | | **Powerful lyrics:** Lydon’s writing is incisive, personal, and politically charged[3][1]. | **Self-indulgence:** Tracks like “Fodderstompf” can feel repetitive or intentionally obnoxious to some listeners[5]. | | **Iconic performances:** Levene’s guitar and Wobble’s bass are both inventive and influential[4][5]. | **Accessibility:** The abrasive sound and experimental structures may alienate mainstream or punk purists[2][5]. | | **Cultural impact:** Helped define post-punk and inspired generations of musicians[1][2]. | **Mixed critical reception at release:** Initially misunderstood and undervalued by critics[2]. | | **Uncompromising vision:** The album is a bold statement of artistic independence[3][1]. | **Lack of polish:** Some tracks feel ramshackle or underdeveloped, especially on the second half[4]. | ## Conclusion *First Issue* is a challenging, uncompromising album that marked the true beginning of post-punk. Its abrasive sound, confrontational lyrics, and experimental spirit set it apart from both the punk it followed and the mainstream rock it rejected. While the album’s raw production and self-indulgent moments may not appeal to everyone, its influence and artistic bravery are undeniable. For listeners willing to engage with its chaos and confront its discomforts, *First Issue* remains a vital, essential work in the history of modern music.

3.5

dont let the other ones fool you. this is pretty awesome

Remember buying this when it came out. Great album. Love Religion and Annalisa.

Damn good premier album.

The other one was more my favourite, this however is also good.

Nobody in my inner circle (besides me) likes punk music. 😂 And I get it. It's not the most appealing compared to other genres. They would've immediately hated this album, but I like to keep an open mind. The only song I did not like was the first track, "Theme". Everything else was fine. I don't know why they have two repetitive songs next to each other. I preferred track 3 with the music notes in it. My two overall favorites are "Annalisa" and "Public Image". I will give it a four. PS. Ironically, I got this album the same month the new Pope Leo XIV was announced. 🤣

Started off ok, then kept getting better and better, loved low life and fodderstompf

iconic classic

love reading the reviews from people who took on this challenge but expected to find nothing challenging on the list. if you can't appreciate insane post punk i don't know what to tell you

Totally my thing, also poignant that this album was picked on the day the pope was elected. Contrary to what everyone seems to think, I like the anti religion. It's angry, raw, dark. He was also right about Jimmy Savile all the way back in 1978.

fire i liked the spoken word between the songs

Great Album

I swear, the way some reviews were trashing this one, I expected another version of The Birthday Party. This is not that at all. This is actually pretty good. Lots of classic punk, but still innovative and unserious. Definitely influential. I enjoyed this.

Fácilmente me convencieron el gran bajo, la batería y lo demás

This is #day231 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it's 1978 outside, and the remnants of punk still linger in the air... Listening to Public Image: First Issue makes me wonder how, just a year earlier, Nevermind the Bollocks was released, and now John Lydon and his crew are shaping the future with this new sound. It's arguably the most punk post-punk record. I love the album's avant-garde nature: the dub-heavy bass, jagged guitars, and otherworldly drumming. It's unlike anything heard before (no wonder post-punk was dubbed "new musick" back in the day). Lydon's vocals are a key part of this soundscape: sneering, sardonic, and unsettling. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day232.

early and eclectic building blocks and foundations of new wave punk music. experimental and dissonant, this album is a manifesto of sorts, abstract and incensed poems about self and society's worst. it's a slightly messy and shocking sound that many listeners might find absurd and a little demented, but i understand the concept that's being presented here. it's a good example of musical therapy, the album is fine by itself, but if you're REALLY going through it, you've got yourself a diamond in the rough. a true underdog of artistic rock music.

hmmm this is interesting...lets see what Wiki says about this album. Ha I think I'll like it. Talks shit on religion lol and post punk. Offended public morals and decency lol HAHA this was a good album. 4 stars.

Джон Лайдон выступает в моем селе с группой Public Image Ltd. где-то в этом году, и я испытываю трудные чувства по этому поводу, но скорее всего пойду, потому что этот и следующий альбомы группы - это полнейший разъеб. Лучшая песня - Public Image.

Yeah, yeah, Johnny Rotten, we get it — protest rock and anti-rock albums with 9-minute opening tracks are very cool and anti-establishment, and all. Good for you, you helped pioneer post-rock! I actually really respect what Lydon was going for here and think the album isn’t half bad, compared to some of the reviews I’ve read here. It’s as much performance art as it is post-punk, and there’s something here that I can gel with.

Great post-punk, but it really does pale in comparison to Metal Box, their next album. That thing is a post-punk masterpiece. The groundwork is set here, but they do sound like they're fucking around a bit too much for it to really be special.

Album - Public Image: First Issue Artist - Public Image Ltd. Release - 1978 Genre - Post-Punk Heard it before? - Y Heard OF it before? - Y Do you ever have a piece of media that you know is objectively bad but you can't help but enjoy? This is one of those. I'm a big character analysis guy, and this album is a great look into the decaying egotistical mind that is John Lyndon. Don't get this twisted, I don't actually like Lyndon or care about his high-school dropout level commentary of religion and the music industry, but I enjoy him from an analysis perspective. Kind of like how I think Motley Crue's "The Dirt" is a good book because it also shows you egotistical assholes still pretending like they matter (although admittedly, Crue are far worse actual people) but I would gladly punch one of or all of their dicks if given chance. But enough about Lyndon. The actual music varies in quality, but there are consistent elements across the whole. The droning chord progressions, reverb drumming and heavy bass make a sickening thrill of song. If you need to know about the music on this album, that's really all you need to know. It's bad. It's supposed to be bad. If "Bollocks" was John's life, this is his slow, slow death. He wants to be loved for being hated. He wants it so bad, he'll make an 8 minute dub song tacked onto the end about it ("Fodderstompf.") Well, bloody fine then John. Here's your fucking positive review. I'm not laughing with you, I'm laughing at you. 7/10

While transformative for the adjacent music scene, beyond Religion 1 and 2 and Public Image, the rest of the tracks are a bit more discordant (Low Life gets credit for its punk hooks) than is my preference. However, on the strength of these 3 or 4 tracks and the auditory journey by Lydon, it makes it work.

I felt this was definitely one of the better punk albums i've heard on the 1001. The punk energy feels more genuine, and musically interesting, quite aggressively experimental at points. Fave Tracks: Theme, Public Image, Low Life, Fodderstompf 3.6/5

I listened to this the day after Christmas and found it refreshing. A nice vitriolic attack on hypocrisy and consumerism. The bass and drums sound good and I like the metallic guitar squalls over it.

Not exactly my thing, but not objectionable. I like it when a new band has a concise 40 minute statement of their ideas.

Interesting

This was a really fresh post punk album! Something felt familiar, but I only found out that it was Johnny Rotten singing way too late 😅

This is sick

I understand the low rating on this site but I kind of liked this. Yeah the lyrics are juvenile but the musicianship is rock solid. Will listen again.

good

I imagine myself in a poor-lit bar, surrounded by teenagers smoking heavily and chugging one beer after another. Posters of bands like The Who or The Clash decorate all the walls in the venue. Lots of kids wearing black shirts and leather jackets. A girl wearing fish net tights and black lipstick. I would probably skip the rants about religion, those sound pretty dumb to be honest.

good stuff. foundational

I think this 1001 Challenge just made me found out that Post-Punk overthrowned East Coast Rap(Which mind you, was my fav since I was like 6) as my favorite genre ever lol. Love this record!

Point deducted for thinking that the lyrics of Religion were so good that they warranted an additional recital.

Unlike the majority here, I actually like listening to this album, and I'm going to give it 4 despite the blatant filler (its combination of nihilism & sense of humour sometimes catches me in the mood). But I struggle to see why it is included in the 1001 Albums, when it adds so little above its successor Metal Box.

Another excellent choice. More staying power than the Sex Pistols. Maybe just as influential? Love a lot of it, but not all of it.

Очень необычный альбом

I found this album surprisingly interesting and engaging. There were some moments that were a little "too much Johnny Lyndon," but most of his vocals were interesting and played nicely with the music - in a much more interesting way than The Sex Pistols. Overall, I found it to be an interesting Post-Wave album that I definitely want to hear more of.

Not in love with FFF as an opener, but I do really enjoy Rise. This one exists in kind of a weird place stylistically -- certain points remind me of 80s pop, but there is a jammy/freeness to certain sections. Digging the pure percussion groove opening Round. Closer Ease is fantastic. Love the wandering virtuouso guitar alongside the more "Eastern" sounding string accompaniment. I can certainly see where the vocals on this record could be polarizing, and understand the hate among the group as a result. That said, I think you are all wrong. This was an enjoyable and varied ride from start to finish without overstaying its welcome. At 41 minutes across 7 tracks, this album gives space for each of the songs to breath and let their atmospheric qualities permeate. Several songs borrow effectively from more "Eastern" traditions in terms of the instrumentation (Ease) and poly-rhythm / syncopation (Round), all while maintaining a punk-forward cruft. I enjoyed this even more than Metal Box (from memory) and will definitely be back again. Strong 4 / 5

ovwrall average with one particularly above everage song

I recently saw a video of PiL on American Bandstand in 1980. It was surreal; I would bet that 90% of the televised audience for that performance were expecting the Sex Pistols. What they got was what is on this album plus one important spark: Johnny Rotten being charismatic and inclusive and selling the shit out of his music. It’s really quite magical to watch. It makes me laugh to think about Richard Branson and the Virgin executives. Picture hiring the darling of the hottest musical genre (punk) and giving him the reins to his first album with his new band…and then he spontaneously evolves overnight into an unheard-of musical style (post-punk). Wild. And totally in keeping with Mr Lydon’s creed of “sticking it to the man”. The music might not endear itself to me, but damnit if the ethos doesn’t.

Public Image: First Issue is the debut album of Public Image Ltd. It contains the same off key and annoying vocals John Lydon delivered at The Sex Pistols. The music is quite messy and is sort of post-punk mixed with echo, dub and strange sounds. This should not, but does work and makes it a banger.

Weird but I love the albums on here that take characteristic sounds from various genres and put it into something that works. Music historians have the best job in the world. Yes this 1978 is post punk rock.. which has existing for… -1 years? Germs came out in 1979 and the Sex Pistols first album in 1977. Get your timeline straight!

Interesting chaotic sound. Would like to listen more

While I don't share John Lydon's disdain for religion, I can appreciate the anger at bad religion. (Jesus was known for this as well, see for example Matthew 23.) But this album gets 4 stars for the other statement it makes. Fresh off the Sex Pistols' musical coup, John Lydon (formerly Johnny Rotten) goes into full deconstruction mode - not just about religion but about celebrity, fame, and (you guessed it) image. There are some great sounds here. I love the vibe of Annalisa, based on a sad story of religious malpractice. This sound would be reproduced and deepened on Metal Box, aka Second Edition. Meanwhile, Fodderstompf apparently draws inspiration from Monty Python, the Beatles, and maybe the Mothers of Invention. If you don't like a song, wait till the next one. There's quite a bit of variety here. That alone is interesting coming off of "Never Mind the Bullocks." And besides, if you literally hate some of the tracks on this record, that's probably what John Lydon was going for.

From the ashes of the Sex Pistols comes this early post punk. No matter what anyone says Fodderstompf is great.

What an absolute 'fuck you' to the establishment this must have been in '78. And judging by all the 1 star reviews it still has the hypocrite masses clutching their pearls. Ever get the feeling you've been cheated? Lol. The bass playing on this album is killer. The first 3 tracks are ok. From track 4 to the end is where it's at for me.

I mean. Lovely.

4.0

not quite as good as metal box but still really groovy and entertaining. so much better than the sex pistols. 8/10

Almost shocked to say it, but I kinda dig this album. I'm not a big punk fan, and I know we had one other album from these guys (though I don't think that was as punk) and it wasn't as memorable. This one though, it's unique to me. It takes the freewheeling, DIY nature of punk and stretches it to extremes of length, to a few tracks that are long and droning to give time for melodies to breathe. Hard to explain why it worked so well for me, but it really did. Especially "Fodderstompf," that song almost seems like they were doing a bit, as the percussion and "beat" reminds me of some kind of new-wave pop, but it's still this gritty punk song talking about "we only wanted to be loved." Damn, something about this one just got under my skin, in a good way. The tracks I didn't like were basically skippable, but the ones I did were enough to elevate this pretty significantly. Favorite tracks: Fodderstompf, Theme, Religion II, Public Image. Album art: Guy's face, up close. It looks like they made a very light effort to create a magazine cover style, emphasis on "light" though because there isn't much to it. The guy's eyes are piercing though, something unnerving about that picture. Not a bad cover, font is nice and bold, but it's also not super distinct. 4/5

The brains of the Sex Pistols

The album where Johnny Rotten stepped beyond the confines of punk, Sex Pistols and his stage name, reverted to his real name and released a stonking post-punk album. Next stop the mighty Metal Box! Lydon, Wobble and Levene on top form.

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Annalisa, Public image

I know it's not for everyone, but I like this. This was an interesting bridge between where they were, Sex Pistols, and where they went, the eclectic pop hit, Rise.

Immense power!

Classic

Post Sex Pistols life takes on a familiar turn with anti establishment and killer hooks. This album helped usher in the post-punk era and the rock wave going into the 80s.

I dig it. Starts off with a total assault to the ears, then settles into some really good stuff. Not an album I’m going to put on everyday, but definitely one that will stick with me.

3.75

A very interesting album, an experience listen. But as an experience it was very interesting.

I had avoided giving PIL a shot because I found the Sex Pistols to be a bit on the annoying side mainly with regard to vocals. You can imagine my surprise to hear what I did. A much more mature sounding band and vocalist. A clear evolution of punk.

Once again another acquired taste. To me it sounds like an interesting mix between New Order and Dead Kennedys. Took a few songs to get into it but I eventually did.

Throbbing bass lines, wailing and yelling about society, actual real world controversy and bans, what’s not to love?

Amazing vibes album definitely added to the collection.

Better than Sex Pistols if you insist on comparing things like I do

Innovative, reckless, difficult, discordant music, and all the better for it.

4/5. Industrial punk might be one of my new favorite genres, every new album in that genre sounds so good to me. The chaotic singing and drowned vocals of the singer makes the heavy riffing of the guitar resemble metal more than rock. Some songs go on a little too long but most are great. The lyrics also stand out to be very direct about their opinions on religion, torture, self degradation, and being an awful person. You know, classic punk stuff.

Innovative and awesome for its day. Easy listen, can not complain. Leaves me wanting more.

Prey to the God of a bitch spelled backwards is dog

All the chaos, anger and politics of The Pistols, but with a more musical slant. Jah Wobble was a genius from the offset. Keith Levene's guitars influenced a generation. This is post punk before it was a thing. It is confrontational and provocative. A great album.

4 "Didn't you ever have that feeling when you get up with a hangover, and you look at the world and think 'Count me out, I'd rather die!'?" Look, I’m far from the first person who would defend Johnny Rotten as any kind of lyrical genius, poet, or even really a punk for that matter (his endorsement of Donald Trump really sealed that last one), but there’s something about his performance and energy that’s hard not to appreciate if you’re any kind of punk rock fan. Like, come on, tell me this wouldn’t be hype as hell to see live with a couple beers in you. Yes, it’s a very different group than The Sex Pistols, but it’s not intended to - and why should it? While not particularly mosh-able, it’s just as angry, and I think that paired with this album’s bass-driven sound largely shaped post-punk as we know it today. If you want to write this off as a bunch of repetitive rock loops with Rotten screaming over them, I can see where you’re coming from, but personally, I can also see how it helped bridge that punk gap. If nothing else, I find the energy of this album enjoyable enough to the point where I could listen to it much longer than the 40 minutes provided. Hell, even the closing track Fodderstompf (which feels intentionally made to be bad) held an ounce of charm with me - tell me there isn’t the slightest bit of catch with that bass groove and “We only wanted to be loved” hook. Even if you do absolutely hate it though, the track Public Image is so damn good that it absolves all sin. Despite all the negative reviews surrounding this one, I quite enjoyed it. Granted, I am a Sex Pistols fan, so do with that what you will, but I genuinely think this a noteworthy musical evolution from Never Mind the Bollocks (which had just come out a year prior), and I have a bit of respect for Johnny Rotten for it. Just a touch though - he’s still a POS and his new band likely had a large part to do with it. Speaking of, if you were curious to listen to the interview at the end on Spotify but intimidated by the length, here’s a TL;DR: Johnny Rotten spends the entire time ripping on The Sex Pistols, contemporary bands, the interviewer, and then occasionally speaks about his current band and the album.

Really interesting album! It's very noisy and has a really great sound. Occasionally felt like it was taking itself too seriously (Religion I & II) while simultaneously other tracks felt the opposite (Fodderstompf), but overall I really liked it.

Gutes Rock Album 3.9

So, some is not easy to listen to, but other parts are. Very interesting record.

Good surprise here, I like it a lot. Don't think I can give it a 5 unless I give it a few more listens, but still very solid album for me. Will I listen to again: 95%

I had their "Greatest Hits (So Far)" in uni, or not long afterwards, and those being the pre-streaming days of music scarcity, played it a bunch even though I found it pretty baffling, and eventually acquired a taste for it. This being their first album, it feels like they haven't hit their groove yet. It's a declaration of intent, sure, but I don't find it as appealing as their later work. Fave tracks - "Public Image" is the only track I was familiar with. "Theme" and "Annalisa" were alright too!

"Public Image: First Issue" is the debut album by English rock band Public Image Ltd. Lead singer Johnny Lydon formed PiL six months after he left the Sex Pistols. This album (and their next one) is considered one the pioneering records in the development of post-punk. Besides Lydon, the band was Keith Levine (guitar, synth), Jah Wobble (bass, vocals) and Jim Walker (drums and his only album). The album had mixed reviews upon its release and was actually not released in the US since it was considered uncommercial. It's now known as groundbreaking. The album starts out unconventionally with most the first side being experimental. A slow drum beat and that screeching, abrasive guitar open the 9-minute "Theme." This sound continues throughout the song. Lydon is screaming. He's lonely and bored I think. "Religion II" adds a more angular guitar to the drumbeat. The music is repetitive similar to "Theme" as is Lydon's screaming but this time he's going after the hypocritical Catholic Church. It's a song he wrote while in the Sex Pistols. "Annalisa" has a faster drum beat and a punk, rock guitar. The most standard song so far. Although, the song is a real life story of a girl who thought she was possessed by the devil and her parents starved her. It can't get more grim than this can it. The second side blasts off with the excellent "Public Image." Bass, drums and "Hello, Hello, Hello." Levine's incredible reverbing, echoing guitar enters. This song just rocks. Lydon is going off about his image with the Sex Pistols. They continue to tear it up in "Low Life." The deep bass, the drums and the guitar in an even higher pitch. Lydon roaring apparently about Sid Vicious. I guess you can't avoid mentioning the closer "Fooderstompf." Synth and a mechanical beat in sort of a disco-dub style. Lydon and Jan Wabble, in a female vocal imitation, just repeating, screaming "Only wanted to be loved." Wobble sprays a fire extinguisher. This goes on for nearly eight minutes. Rumour has it they were low on funds. I wonder when the fire extinguisher entered the potential instruments-to-use list. It was be good to have the first two PiL albums nearly back to back. This first album is half experimental and half really rockin.' The guitar is fantastic and the drummer adds a lot. They would really put the weird, avant-garde and rock altogether in "Metal Box" but there's also a lot to like here. I was into the experimental stuff to a point. The second side's rockin' songs are the highlight and worth a listen by everyone.

John Lydon’s post Sex Pistols work sees him teaming up with original Clash guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble, and drummer Jim Walker. This album is experimental and discordant but is grounded by Levene’s darkly melodic guitar. This tempers Lydon’s more indulgent impulses and leaves behind a seminal post-punk album that influenced later art rock and post-punk artists.

Not the best PIL album to introduce you to the band but in its day it was a bit of a game changer

muy lokito muy the clash muy sex pistols

It was decent? Some great tracks I'd listen to again

My first thought when being generated this album was that it has a very different looking cover to a lot of other rap artists. Then I realised I was getting it mixed up with Public Enemy. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of Public Image Ltd before, so I’ve really no idea what to expect here. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Religion II, Public Image As I was listening to this, I thought it sounded a fair bit like the Sex Pistols. I’ve just Googled whether there was an “Ltd” as part of the band name, and in doing so found they are fronted by John Lydon. Now I’m questioning whether it is his face on the album cover and I’m not actually sure. This is pecking my head. Anyway, I’ve rambled quite enough without actually saying anything. I enjoyed this album. It felt nice and raw, and definitely unapologetic. It’s classic punk, although I’m not sure that’s a real genre.

I liked it! Almost better than the Sex Pistols. Can't wait for more to show up in the future. As someone who wasn't around during this time, it blows my mind that John Lydon went to such a wildly different sound in such a short period of time. 3.5/5

First PIL thing that I actually liked.

Falls off near the end but there's incredible music here. Was always more of a metal box dude

I had to give this a second listen on headphones and I did appreciate it more. This is definitely more interesting than the Sex Pistols. This was cool, Theme was an excellent opener that sneered and rambled on, Religion II was excellent with some great jabs at institutions, specifically the church, Fodderstompf was weird but it was dancey and fun. This kinda surprised me. I’m going 4 stars

Really good

Who took the right DNA away from the Pistols break-up is clear from this. While Vicious and Mclaran were messing around with mock-shock rock and roll covers, Lydon was accelerating away into the post-punk era with this ridiculous leap forwards. Sped-up dub bass from Wobble, scratchy funk guitar from Levene anticipating everything that would come from Gang of Four, Fire Engines etc. Lydon's atonal (even for him) speech/howl/singing fits in perfectly. There's even a (relatively) pop-rush in the title track. Fantastic.

this album is full of controversies: it has good sound but very strange vocals.

The cover of the album is a delightful counterpoint to the contents of the album. It's a lot to take but it works if you let it.

This is heavy, I like it. There's a catharsis in the driving anger towards certain aspects of society. I'm connecting with it.

Powerful, weird stuff.

This album is post-punk af. The low sound of the bass is amazing, and omg, those drums! Lydon’s vocals are great. Definitely going back to this album in the future. Favorite songs: Theme, Religion II, Public Image, Low Life, and Attack.

Inga större fel på denna. Skulle kunna lyssna in mig så den finge toppbetyg men än så länge så blir det bara en fyra.

Better than expected. While the Sex Pistols were clearly more influential, this album is a lot more interesting. It's definitely not for everyone though.

Fucking weird but it's growing on me

Who said Free style post punk, heh? Would I go to a PIL show? Definitely! Would I listen to this record on repeat? Don’t know. Not all the songs, I think!

I have always seen Lydon as a bonehead that made history by accident more than by talent. But I had to change my mind on him after I discovered PiL because you obviously need a strong artistic vision to come up with that sound. I guess you could classify this as post-punk, but its experimental nature and its blend of dub and repetitive pattern makes it unique. This one has to be the most accessible of the first three but it's still weird af, I love it.

Really in my chord. +++

Angry, raw and noisy music for bad people. I wouldn't listen to this every day, but it surely scared some square people. Loved it.

Great post punk - 4 stars

RIP Keith Levene. Until relatively recently, I'd only heard the title track, and the pop stuff in the mid 80s, Rise, and that. So I'd got very much the wrong idea about PiL. One listen to Metal Box put that right, and it fair scared me off to be honest, I need to return to it. Certainly helped me understand their standing as post-punk pioneers. This is equally not for the faint hearted it seems. I listened to Theme twice, pretty much hating the first 5 minutes then loving it for the second 15. Public Image is a classic. Clearly not an immediate album, but a lot to like on the first couple of listens all the same.

You never listen to a word that I said You only seen me For the clothes that I wear Or did the interest go so much deeper It must have been The colour of my hair This is some solid punk, great album with good theme. Its not a top 10 thing, but thats not what its about AT ALL. 4/5

I know this album is weird. It's strange, noisy, and really doesn't have any pop sensibilities. But for some reason, I have always liked it a lot.

Really dug this, except the last song. 4/5

A little Johnny Rotten goes a long way- I personally would have cut the religion poem- but there’s some pretty cool stuff here. Post-punk before it went full new wave will always be a sound I can get behind. B

Lydon's work in Public Image Ltd is as influential as his brief time with the Pistols, and far more interesting. This is by no means my favorite PiL work, and frankly, other artists did more with these ideas later (Killing Joke, Magazine, etc), but where would we be without First Issue?

найс брит рок

I can see why some people wouldn't respond well to this album, either for reasons musical or ideological. It's not the easiest listen. But I really am enjoying it. I like it better each time I hear it. It's crashingly noisy and provocative in all the right ways, with grinding guitars and in your face lyrics. John Lydon's urgent, pained vocal style is somehow both abrasive and engaging at the same time. As for the writing, wow. I think we take it for granted now because everyone is on social media and everyone has an opinion. But that "Religion" monologue is searing and dripping with contempt. In '78 it must have been pretty shocking to hear. Then the band goes ahead and repeats it again to music (you know, in case you didn't catch the point the first time around). We may call this post-punk, but that is just about the most punk think I've seen on an album yet. Bravo. High 4. Fave Songs: Public Image, Annalisa, Low Life, Theme, Religion II, Fodderstompf

Baita som

RIP KEITH Prefs: Theme, Annalisa, Public Image, Low Life, Fodderstompf Moins pref: Attack

If only John Lydon hadn't grown up to be such a disappointment. This album is light years away from what he did in the Pistols. Less Furious but no less angry.

Fresh sounding punk, seems influential.

Never Mind the Pistols, here is PIL. Nice variance in music and with brilliant Jah Wobble.

Metal Box and Flowers of Romans are both 5-stars. First Issue clearly has been influential, contains several 5-star tracks (PI, Low Life), and plays well at loud volume, but is rather uneven and has some boring moments like the spoken word part of Religion and the album closer, Fodderstomf (which I usually skip). 7/10 so 4/5stars.

Очень модно

Awesome record. Not quite a 5 but it's a really, really strong 4. Just great post-punk.

Interesting enough to keep me engaged the whole way through. Annalisa isy highlight.

...and post punk begins. John Lydon in all his irreverent, pissed off, indignant glory. And great songs to boot...Theme, Religion, Annalise, Public Image. A fine album that shows the way to the master piece to come (Metal Box). 4 🌟

Johnny Rotten lives! This one certainly isn't as well known as the SP's only LP. After all the aggravation getting the SP's album done this must have seemed like a cakewalk. I quite like it.

Mr Lydon, Mr Levene and Mr Wobble, TBH when I first heard Public Image Ltd I thought "What the Heck, Johnny has lost his Rock 'n' Roll roots and gone all arty farty" as I didn't see the subtle subversive nature of PIL. But then I was 19 and still in the thrall of the vibrancy of Punk. I now like "Public Image" "Religion" and "Low Life" but some of this is just taking the piss I think. Typical Johnny!

Theme / Public Image Ltd

The first song is awesome. I know it's not for everyone.

I can understand why people would hate this album, but I think its fantastic. John Lydon really came into his own, and the songs (particularly in the first half) build on Punks foundation in an incredibly influential way (I mean, Theme almost has a shoegaze sound to it). The last couple of songs are kind of forgettable though.

good early punk

fanade

La manera en què busquen la porta de sortida del punk. Podria haver acabat amb un bodri, però una de les grans virtuts de Lydon és saber envoltar-se d'una banda que porta les seves ambicions a un altre nivell, donant vida a un disc experimental però inspirador, tan transgressor com rellevant. No és una obra mestra, però s'apropa força

Bought this when it came out in 1978 - it's still great. Much better than anything the Sex Pistols did.

Precursors to metal box. Angular new guitars.

Pretty abrasive. I liked this sound.

I've really found that I enjoy post-punk, and that remains true with this album. I think that PiL's work has aged better than that of the Sex Pistols, and there is certainly a lot more of it to appreciate. I like this album much better than Metal Box, which I got on this list a few months ago. 4/5

Fucking great album, super ahead of its time.

Ik was positief verrast door dit album! Sex Pistols heb ik helemaal niks mee, maar in deze band is het veel minder punk en veel meer rock. Op een paar wazige rommel-nummers na was het echt wel tof. Goede bassloopjes en gierende gitaren. Op een of andere manier viel dit voor mij helemaal goed 😁

Às vezes gritado demais, mas som muito bom no geral

Brilliant shit

Love the sex pistols and the clash and even though this is so different from them I love it nonetheless. It's rough like the former bands, but it also adds a whole different dimension to their sound through the strong melodic instrumental feel.

Unusual, interesting, good, intriguing lyrics.

A very interesting album and even more interesting interview with John.

7 / 10

No era una banda que conociera en profundidad y siento que es más historica que otra cosa este album, particularmente no me copó PERO me ayudó a dormir asique banco eso.

This guy is to church what Pink Floyd was to school. That being said, the overall punk vibes made for a unique listen

Genius or shite? Elements of both I think.

there is certainly music in this album. i kinda like it though.

Okay, pero quien escogio la canción del final?

Listened

Holds onto its punk roots a little too tightly but it's still pretty good

I thought I’d like this a lot more since I love Metal Box

#369/1001. First reaction is to give this album a middle finger(1). Second thought: they are giving everyone the finger - perhaps I should as well in my rating (5). Third thought: perhaps I should also listen to it and think what I think(1-5). There is no fourth thought, instead a repeat loop of these thoughts. Final verdict is somewhere between respect towards it opening a way (call it new musick, postpunk, afterpunk or post-punk) and being sometimes a manifestation of boring, reaction to being cheated, loads of drugs, some quirky ideas, Wobble's amazing bass, and Levene's screeching guitar, luckily Lydon/Rotten dubbed to the background. All this bouncing between the extremes is boring to average to a three. metal box is even more hard to get to, so perhaps an average grade is well deserved here.

Interesting to hear this record for the first time in decades. The song The Public Image remains great - but it’s also sonically an outlier on the album. The bass and guitar heavy music stands up pretty well but it’s clear in retrospect why the album wasn’t particularly well received on release, at a time when the musically more conventional punk and the nascent New Wave still had some life. Lyrically there’s a lot of score settling. Some of it clearly refers back to John Lydon’s recent experiences in the Sex Pistols. Other songs are vitriolically anti-religion, and specifically anti-Catholic church. You can sort of see a connection between the themes, in Lydon’s distaste for convention, control and the imposition of notions of what is and isn’t acceptable. Interestingly, the best song on the album, Annalisa, has a specific subject-matter - the infamous mistreatment and death of a young Catholic woman who suffered from epilepsy but was subjected to exorcisms aimed at freeing her from possession by demons. Being focused, the song is more effective than the more general rants in songs such as Religion II.

Fun and a very different album, liked the songs and the message of them. It's not for everybody but it has its place in rock legacy.

Post-punk 80s rock/new wave with the punk rocker formerly known as Johnny Rotten. It's fine, but I've heard better new wave that resonates better with me.

Heel vaag maar wel vet

Okay, I could hear influences for the Pixies.

Good album

The sound of the music is right up my alley, but I don't think much of the actual songs. My biggest problem with PIL is right at the center. John Lydon's vocals and lyrics just don't do anything for me, as much as I agree with the sentiment of what he's saying (especially on tracks like Religion). Some of the guitar/bass work is really exciting... especially on Annalisa. That track has my favorite music on the album, but it just kinda goes on and on for a couple minutes after it's done its thing. I even had to skip one track -- the vocal histrionics on Fodderstomp were something I could no longer stand after a couple of minutes. I feel like I've complained a lot relative to my enjoyment of the record. It still sounds like something I'd enjoy watching live, and its post-punk sounds are right up there with some of my favorite records of all time. I just wish there was more form to the songs -- a few more tracks in the vein of Public Image and Low Life and this would have been a strong 4. As it is, I can only muster a 3.

Парковый ньювейв

It must not have been easy, after making the quintessential pulk album and to follow up with something new. Religion was an ok song, as was Public Image, but the true iconoclastic track was saved til the end. Fodderstompf was both awful and punk, precisely by not being a typical punk song. Loved the track. Saved the album from being two stars

What happened to you? I can't stand the ugly guy on the cover—move it away. Anyway, I kind of like the album.

06/05/2026 It was a bit boring I have to say, but I've heard a lot worse on here. Spotify listeners: 477.1k

Pretty interesting, better than Sex Pistols. If The Fall was more produced, just not really scratching the same itch. The title track is the strongest with the most movement, also the opening track is a great dubby experimental ride that i really dig.

Album importante per il punk anche se alcuni pezzi sono troppo ripetitivi per me

This isn't nearly as bad as you guys are making it out to be

I thought it was a really interesting listen! I quite enjoy experimental rock, but I suppose this one didn’t hit me as much as other songs of similar genres do. I found it a bit too repetitive and boring to an extent, but it wasn’t a bad album at all.

I listened to about 20 minutes of the John Lydon interview added to the 2013 reissue and I gotta say, this guy fucking sucks. I've known about this band for a while but I've never listened to them until now. I had no idea this was Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols. This isn't much better than the Sex Pistols in my opinion, but it's at least kinda interesting. John Lydon is a massive loser though. Favorite track: Theme

Punnnnnnk daddddyyy

I know it came first, but this is a worse version of Metal Box. That might not even be fair to Metal Box. But, while this is kind of standard bearer for the future sound, it's also kind of directionless and bloated, even at 40 minutes. In retrospect, an obvious departure from sex pistols and really hammered home what the post-punk sound WOULD sound like, but it's not there yet. Put it back in the oven. Also, Religion (both tracks) sucks.

An okay album, I liked Public Image the most.

Way too experimental for a debut, but Johnny is 100% charismatic frontman

It's fairly decent. Some interesting stuff from pretty simply riffs. Mid - 3

There are some good ideas here and I find this to be much more interesting than The Sex Pistols, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Much like how Nevermind the Bollocks was one of the first punk albums which pioneered the genre but I find kinda boring, Public Image pioneered (maybe I am too lazy to check) the post punk genre, but I find to be as interesting as what would come after. This just sounds like a worse version of Pere Ubu (which I will defend). High 3.

A couple of good songs and a good bass groove in the last song, but a decent amount of nonsense as well.

Cool

So I never knew that Johnny Rotten made a new band after sex pistols. Who knew, apparently everyone. The first couple of tracks I was unsure, it did go a bit to the avante garde with a nod to punk, which I guess was the plan, the second half of the album was alot more of what I wanted from 70s punk.

Not bad at all. Quite catchy

Hmmm rigtig post-punk vibe, synes ikke nødvendigvis det var verdensb edste men heller ikke verdens dårligste. Det var bare lidt noise fra mig. Tror det er forsangeren fra sex pistols.

More interesting than traditionally “good.” But, I appreciate what Lydon does here and the boundaries being pushed. Highly influential.

Not my thing particularly but I can see how influential it was. Knowing that Johnny Rotten is a bit of an arsehole doesn't help me enjoy it though.

Not sure I’d revisit but didn’t hate it!

There was some entertainment there. For its time it would be more impactful than the ocean of music we have today. Interesting.

Theme - 2 Religion i - n/a Religion ii - 3 Annalisa - 3 Public image - 4 Lowlife - 3 Attack - 3 Fodderstompf - 2

Not terrible. Not great.

A bit of a challenge with some songs but others had a good groove and I appreciate the experimentation for the time.

How did he end up sucking so much?

PiL certainly got better

Wild album. I had never heard of Public Image Ltd., it was interesting.

There's some fantastic stuff on here, mostly Levene's guitar and Wobble's bass. Lydon's lyrics, not so much.

There is artistic merit in making an album that feels like having a headache that lasts all day, but it’s not particularly enjoyable.

I prefer This is what you want as a PiL album but I get why this one was on the list..if you can force your way through the first two tracks it evens out and is a solid example of post punk.

Viciousness

3/5

3.5

own

Not for me

There's some good stuff here. The run of "Public Image," "Low Life," and "Attack" is definitely top notch. I'd include "Annalisa" in that list, but it's too long by half, doesn't use its 6 minute runtime to go anywhere or even stay engaging. It's ok. Same with "Theme." Good elements, and I can see how it was a particularly influential track for American postpunk/noise stuff of the 80s and 90s that I like much better, but... plods noisily. "Fodderstompf"? Ok, point made, Mr. Rotten. There's classic 5/5 stuff here, but it's a 3/5 album.

Time for new wave? Two rap days in a row, means we're well overdue for something both stinky and British. Now, we're definitely in England here (I didn't have to google) but are we going to be exposed to stench? Right off the bat I was pleasantly surprised and it continued in that vein. Devastating, punk-ish screaming and heresy boil down to a very pleasingly miserable project that is about 35 years ahead of it's time. This record seems to take the burgeoning punk genre and takes it to places that would still sound fresh if released today, 48 years later. Now. There is a big lull here. All of the aggression seemed to be used up for the bookends of this piece and that takes this out of the pantheon and back into the "meh" mill. Whatever. I can't write. I enjoyed this. I especially liked the part where Elmo was wigging out for 8 minutes. 3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Theme, Religion, Fodderstompf

Mye kult, og en del intetsigende. På en god dag hadde jeg kanskje gitt det en stjerne høyere.

Tenderer til å være interessant innimellom. Men næh..

Litt tungt med en 9 minutters start. Hørt på vei til jernbanen, så det er i alle fall on brand med Johnny Rotten.

I liked this. If I’d been a (post) punk this would have been my band I reckon. Although I find John Lydon a twat so maybe not. 3.5 rounded down cos I’m not a punk

I think John Lydon is a completely bellend but Public Image Ltd. actually made decent music as opposed to the Sex Pistols.

Good.