Reviews (page 2 of 8)
At home he feels like a tourist At home he feels like a tourist He fills his head with culture He gives himself an ulcer He fills his head with culture He gives himself an ulcer Down on the disco floor They make their profit From the things they sell To help you cover All the rubbers you hide In your top left pocket At home she's looking for interest At home she's looking for interest She said she was ambitious So she accepts the process She said she was ambitious So she accepts the process Down on the disco floor They make their profit From the things they sell To help you cob off And the rubbers you hide In your top left pocket Two steps forward (Six steps back) (Six steps back) (Six steps back) (Six steps back) Small step for him (Big jump for me) (Big jump for me) (Big jump for me) (Big jump for me) Two steps forward (Six steps back) (Six steps back) (Six steps back) (Six steps back) Small step for him (Big jump for me) (Big jump for me) (Big jump for me) (Big jump for me) At home she feels like a tourist At home she feels like a tourist She fills her head with culture She gives herself an ulcer Why make yourself so anxious You give yourself an ulcer
Post post punk album?
fajne
Brilliant
Really great.
This album fucks. Super tight, funky drums and bass and still-relevant leftist subject matter.
One of my favourite albums, love it
There’s early punk vibes and strong garage roots here in this utterly fantastic debut. Everything seems to coalesce together to make sure you’re actually having a great time while listening. High production considering the circumstances of this albums creation.
Started strong with the first few beats....now I remember these guys!
The band should be called 'Gang of Five,' because this album is five stars
The album is epic. One I can listen to over and over and still find it interesting. Love the toned back detached sound.
A hugely successful gang bang with the lights on and all the children going wild for the wonderful spectacle on show. A roaring triumph glazed in a spicy cum sauce.
This is great, and I'd never heard of them!
A seminal post-punk album. The combination of funk and staccato guitar has been much imitated since, but rarely done as well. Even rarer are bands that play this type of music and also have a pop sensibility. A classic.
I really like this album and band. Never heard of them before. It was a great suprise.
I remember when magazines used to do their occasional Top 100 albums of all time, when I'd go through the list and count how many I had. Generally I had a pretty good return in the Top 20, by the time it was into the 40s it was a lower percentage and after 50 it was more sporadic. I can always remember getting to 'Entertainment', which was usually around the mid-50s and noting that I'd never heard this band and didn't know anything about them. When I finally got around to listening to it, in my mid-late 30s, I couldn't believe that I'd missed out on this for so long. It's the sort of album I should have had in my collection since my teens. I saw them in Brisbane and they were amazing. I was going to see them again the following day at Soundwave but their stage was already running really late even by mid-afternoon and so I decided I needed to head back to the main stage for Slayer, which I regret. I was going to go see them in Brisbane again a few years ago but it got rescheduled from Feb or March to November and I was over in japan when they played but in Japan in the wrong weeks to see them there. I got offered an interview with Andy Gill and snapped it despite not being able to go to the show. It went through scores of interviews and it was so hard coming up with questions that he hadn't already been asked, even when I thought I had something that was more obscure. The interview was great, one of those you can't really believe is happening and where it felt like a very natural conversation and you could have kept going long after the 20 minutes. Whenever I open Skype, he's still there in my contacts on screen, which always makes me feel really sad.
Certainly is.
A punk? post-punk? masterpiece. Must-listen. Sick basslines, incredible riffs and great lyrics. 10/10 1. Natural's Not in It 2. Ether 3. 5:45
5/5. Oh yeah 🤘
One of my fave post-punk albums ever. Some absolute bangers on here. Fave track - "Natural's Not In It", "Guns Before Butter", "At Home He's a Tourist", "Anthrax".... I could probably add 5 or 6 more...
Yes, another classic post-punk album that never gets old and that should be on any best-of list.
wow
Yaaaaaas Gang of Four! One of my all-time favorite bands and albums.
Woa!
The bounce of a frog. Gun drum and bass cohesion, very much enjoyed it
LOVED IT!. Didn't know one of the songs was an original!
Liked it
Ether is incredible
Discazo. La voz igual a la de Jon King me hace pensar como un Joe Strummer menos punkish, ideal para el fin de los 70. Las lineas de bajo constante tambien son bien punk. Puedo ver perfecto como NIN y un monton de otras bandas que escucho sacaron inspiración de acá. Dejar una base constante sonando de fondo y meterle arreglos arriba es algo que se hace desde tiempos inmemorables. La verdad me encantó.
good stuff
Holy shit. Great album from a band I had never heard of. Love this dance-punk style a lot. Reminds me of bands like The Rapture, The Faint, LCD Sound System, etc.
Really enjoyed this, ace beats and up my street
Great new wave post punk album.
So funky. So fun. Very DEVO.
ur kiss is so sweet ur sweat so sour
Really amazing post punk. Never knew I liked this before I got into this . Damaged goods,not great men,at home he’s a tourist
Classic record that I think is a bit front loaded, but def a worthwhile listen if you have any interest at all in post-punk. "Natural's Not In It" is absolutely a banger.
A really punchy album with some fun mixing of post-punk and dub/reggae type stuff happening as well. I like this album a lot.
Punk artist I haven't heard of until now, pretty great
Love this. Great punk rock.
A classic. This record is really good. Its been a staple in my discography for a long time. An essential punk album that pulls no punches. I will say that it might be a little overhyped just because Kurt Cobain had them on his list of favorite bands, but it's still mega quality.
Cool album Nice listening to and songs are varied 4/5
Banger, love me some post punk
honestly loved it.
Abrasive, all in your face. Love it
I may have a new favourite punk album
🤘
Viva el post-punk.
Albumik post punkowy, znany i lubiany, brak tu jakichkolwiek zapychaczy, kazdy kawalek niesie jakas historie, jak na ponad punkowy album motywami jest oczywiscie wszystko na litere K, od kapitalizmu, przez konsumpcjonizm po konformizm, oczywiscie motywy milosci o seksu takze sa mocno obecne, ale da sie wyczuc, ze glownym theme materialu jest alienacja czlowieka w dziesiejszym spoleczenstwie, nawet na okladce juz jest historia obrazkowa z kowbojem i indianinem, natomiast na pleckach plytki jest stary pijany, nie w wannie, ale i tak niszczacy zycie rodzinne, na plejliste leca kawalki damaged goods oraz at home hes a tourist
post-punk. está bien.
Punk-rock psicodélico.
This may be a 5 star because the band moves to a more complex level as songwriters and performers. Much better structure on this "themed" album. A high point for band.
Wow, I really really enjoyed this album. I have never heard of this band unless they moonlighted as communists in China. The electrical guitar and bass kicked ass and reminded me a ton of Bloc Party
I hadn't heard of this band and I can see how they might have influenced a lot of other bands I like. This one probably needs a few listens to get into but was entertaining to start.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one but some solid punk is always a nice surprise
They managed to keep punk really interesting.
Fist fight in the parking lot. Buying sarkilar bir urine benziyomus gibi geldi, bi favorim sarkim yok ama albumu genel olarak begendim ben.
This is fun, and chaotic.
Great while I’m listening. But then it’s gone.
New wave makes way more sense now.
It’s a jam. Four stars.
Never heard of them before, but looking at the cool cover I knew it had potential to be interesting. Initial vibe was like "is this punk?". Sorta, but a little more "off". I like it. Parts of the energy remind me of RCE actually, the social commentary part of it. I like it. I'd probably give it a 3.5 but I'll round up.
Dope
Very enjoyable post punk. You can tell how influential their sound has been. I'm surprised I'm not more familiar with the band, but this was a really good album.
Pretty groovy, alt Brit rock vibes. I enjoyed!
Top quality, influential punk/post-punk/funk. And a few standout tunes.
The guy has a very clear preference, this is pretty good but there's many others on here that are pretty much the same album Will I listen to again: 20%
Kinda fun.
Completely new to me but it sounds very familiar. I was surprised to learn it’s from 79, could have been an early 90’s album. Just ok, but I felt the same way when Blink 182 arrived and they grew on me. This album needs more than one listen.
Never heard of them before. Felt like a cross between the Clash and Devo. If it were a person it would be Fred Armisen. It was pretty good.
Never heard this before but definitely see how this was influential. Not really a punk fan but I enjoyed the listen. Solid 3 stars.
This album kinda sucked. Everything sounded the same and neither the singing nor the instrumentals were particularly good. 4/10.
Maybe this is good for fans of post-punk, but you can see how I feel about it.
Certainly share their politics, percussion and guitar work is solid, but good lord the vocal work is unbearable. Ever heard of varying your tone? The instrumentals have enough merit that I can’t fairly give this a 1, but I really fucking want to. Listened to: walking around the F1 track in Montreal. Favorite track: Love Like Anthrax
Meh. England sucks
Nr. 27/1001 Ether 2/5 Natural's Not In It 3/5 Not Great Men 2/5 Damaged Goods 2/5 Return the Gift 2/5 Guns Before Butter 2/5 I Found That Essance Rare 3/5 Glass 2/5 Contract 2/5 At Home He's A Tourist 2/5 5.45 2/5 Love Like Anthrax 1/5 Average: 2,08
I don't feel entertained
Probably forgot that I listened to it in about a week.
Very bland new wave
Bland, didn’t do anything for me
Slightly dull punk, without any catchy hooks or interesting ideas
This is a challenging listen, and given all the hype and genre defining work that's here... i was hoping that it would be a bit more "listenable". It's interesting, but there wasn't a song that i actually enjoyed. I was hoping to be a bit more engaged by this, but it unfortunately doesn't work for me.
Could have swore they were saying "please send me emails on weekends" on 'Return the Gift' which is actually super punk but nothing else really stood out for me.
Haha damn, man, I feel like this has to be the most popular genre on this list. Seems like every other album is a British punk-rock band. I'm trying to give it a fair shake but finding it a bit tough admittedly.
This album really didn't do much for me, it's safe to say I was not entertained. It's one of many of those early 80's punk albums, except this one had almost nothing interesting to offer. The mixing is flat and bland and the songs are all forgettable, but I will say that I liked the bass, it was the only thing that stuck out. The songs are all so samey sounding that the whole album just started to blur together, with nothing really distinct happening. The shrill guitar, the distant british vocals, the treble-heavy drums, it was all the same in every song. The album art is almost as bland as these songs too, so at least they're honest. I think I'm going to go listen to Talking Heads now.
To quote Mr Horse. "No sir, I don't like it."
I've lost my patience of punk as well. I'm coming to realize that your ability to sing is hugely impactful on how much I like your music.
This band wrote one song, came up with 12 names for it, and spent 40 minutes playing it over and over. Not my style lmao.
New artist! Not for me! 1/5
If this project has solidified one thing: I hate post punk. All the droning, talentless monotony without the enthusiasm or energy.
Gang of Four? More like, "Please, no more"! This album reminds me of the Ramones but if they all took some melatonin before making an album. Very boring, not extremely bad but there really wasn't anything on this album that was impressionable to me (except the over 1 minute of guitar feedback on the last song that made me wanna throw my phone at a wall). Definitely not gonna listen to it again, sorry gang of four. (also here's some more disses I can think of, Gang of Four? More like, "I'm out the door!" or "There's the door!")(Gang of Four? More like, "My ears are sore!")(Gang of Four? More like, "Oh this is a bore!")(Gang of Four? More like, "I'd rather go to war!")(Gang of Four? More like, "I can't take this anymore!") Yeah, not my cup of tea.
The first one I've listened to twice, really into this one
More like Gang of Five (Stars)! Those percussive marches, that angular guitar, those revolutionary lyrics!
A favorite.
This, for sure, is an album that anyone interested in the history of music should listen to. Although I've had a copy for a long time, I don't particularly enjoy listening to it but its place in the importance of the post-punk sound is undisputed.
Jon King: Love is LIIIIKEEEE! / Relations of PRODUCTION!!!!! Andy Gill: *squalling as fast as possible* Hugo Burnham: *snare fill* me: holy fuck this shit GROOVES
Do you think the Fugazi guys listened to this record much?
Missed a few days so have some catching up to do What a great album to kick things off with again Gang of Four - Entertainment ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Superb bass and drum driven songs with stabs of guitar and minimalist lyrics. I kept thinking of margin walker era Fugazi - one of the best bands ever. Go4 were clearly a big influence. Standout tracks - nearly all of them! Naturals not in it Damaged goods Guns before butter I found that essence rare Contract At home he’s a tourist 5.45 Love like anthrax All 5/5 tracks
A classic post punk album from a very important band .
70s punk. Very interesting.
Just listen to it: that jagged guitar, those dispassionate vocals, the humorless complaints about every aspect of society. These guys have obviously never had fun a single day in their life. And yet, they've somehow ended up making one of the most fun albums I've ever heard. I spent like a month dancing down the sidewalk on my way to class every single day listening to this when I first heard of, no other "fun" album can even compare!
The title was accurate, I was entertained
I’ve re-entered society for Gang of Four <3
10/10 for the first 6 songs and at home he looks like a tourist. I really love most of this album. I really love the first six tracks and at home he looks like a tourist. Really a fan of this grating sound. I never considered it to be punk when I was a teen but I guess it is. Do people consider Joy Division punk? No matter, it’s super good. Okay three songs are not the best but it’s overall a pretty perfect album. I’m glad I am old so I’ve had years to listen to this album. It’s been in my favorites rotation for 30 years now.
This outstanding post-punk album not only made Kurt Cobain's personal top 50 albums, it is also well documented as influencing such bands as Fugazi, Rage Against the Machine, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
GUERRILLA WAR STRUGGLE IS A NEW ENTERTAINMENT GUERRILLA WAR STRUGGLE IS A NEW ENTERTAINMENT GUERRILLA WAR STRUGGLE IS A NEW ENTERTAINMENT GUERRILLA WAR STRUGGLE IS A NEW ENTERTAINMENT GUERRILLA WAR STRUGGLE IS A NEW ENTERTAINMENT GUERRILLA WAR STRUGGLE IS A NEW ENTERTAINMENT GUERRILLA WAR STRUGGLE IS A NEW ENTERTAINMENT GUERRILLA WAR STRUGGLE IS A NEW ENTERTAINMENT
Thoughts before listening: I believe I used to own this album (or at least had it downloaded at one point). It's very good dancey, funky post-punk with an all timer in the first song. This was also a huge influence on a lot of the 00s era indie bands like LCD Soundsystem and Modest Mouse. I seem to remember the rest of the album not being quite as good as the first track, but I'm sure I'll really enjoy this. Review: Ok so the song I was thinking of is "Damaged Goods" and it's actually track 4. It's such a cool song with Gang of Four's angular and funky guitar mixed with walking bass lines that are high in the mix and vocal style borrowed from punk rock. If you didn't know that this album was released in 1979 you'd think it was a bit derivative of those other 90s and 00s bands I mentioned earlier (Red Hit Chili Peppers, Franz Ferdinand and Fugazi are others that really borrowed heavily from Gang of Four), but the truth is that the band was very revolutionary and visionary for their time. I forgot how much I love this album. There is plenty to love here outside of "DG": "Ether", "Return the Gift", "Guns Before Butter", "I Found the Essence Rare", "At Home He's a Tourist", "Love Like Anthrax", etc. I could put this whole album on my playlist. Why did I stop listening to this...it's incredible. 5-stars
banger
Loved this
> the Beatles
Never properly listened to this before. Loved it! It's somewhere between a 4 and a 5 so let's call it 5. If I'd heard this as a teenager I'm sure it would have been an all time favourite. It's got some of the things I love about the first two Talking Heads albums.
Surprisingly good
Fuck yeah!
God plade som bragte funk to punk. Det blev dance-punk genren som de skabte, hvor det var meget mere rytmisk og danceable. Sangene handler om mediernes kraft, sex og forbrugersamfund. Jeg elsker virkelig natural's not in it, jeg tror det var en af de sange som fik mig til at tænke at man sagtens kunne lave et DJ-set som er danceable selvom det er rock. Sammen med baggy og madchester genren. Sangen lyder næsten helt elektronisk, synes jeg og virkelig good vibes i sangen overall. Bruger den ofte til at hype mig selv op til noget også. Albummet har også inspireret mange store kunstnere som R.E.M, Kurt cobain, Fugazi, disco punk osv osv osv. så de er kæmpestore og det er musik som stadig føles aktuelt i dag også igennem teksterne. Tror man beskriver guitraren (Som man også meget tydeligt kan høre i natural's not in it) som morse-guitar, som sådan "hakker" meget. det lyder råt og fedt og angiveligt en af de mest definerende post-punk albums. Tror også albums jeg godt kan lide som går igen har sådan en form for "art" stilgenre indeover sig ligesom dette er Art-punk.
Way ahead of its time, and an amazing evolution from punk. It’s one of my favourites
no skips, perfect album
good.
I think I’m a post-punk girlie. Proto Parquet Courts. Just so fun.
An old favourite. Listening to this on a proper hifi system is a treat. Love
Another new listen ..seems like I’m the only one who didn’t know them. Great tunes and vibe..a keeper
Favorite track(s): Ether, Natural's Not in It, Not Great Man, Damaged Goods, I Found That Essence Rare, At Home He's a Tourist The riffs, the grooves, the lyrics and themes. It's all here. One of THE punk albums. Heard before Previous rating: 8/10
Arguably the most underrated album ever.
Entertainment reminded me of the Minutemen until it didn't. Jerky dance-y punk in funk music that gets your mind moving as much as it gets your feet and ass in a state of constant movement. The lyrics are supposed to be influenced by people/things like Michel Foucault, situationist international, the Troubles, cowboys, Indians, etc. but I couldn't tell because I can't tell what they are saying at all which is fine as I imagine it's about left-wing junk that interests me about as much as right wing junk- which is very little. "I light myself like a cigarette/ I light myself like a cigarette/ I light myself like a cigarette." Are these lyrics a critic on communism? An embrace of communism? Love? Sex? Guerrilla warfare? Did I even hear them right? Who cares. Who cares? Not me. I don't care. All I know is they go well with the music and their delivery works more as another instrument than anything. I suspect the lyrics are intelligent, witty and full of earnest conviction. Or not. "I feel like a beetle on it's back/ I feel like a beetle on it's back and I have no way to get up." That would suck to be stuck. Right? "In a man's world/In a man's world/ In a man's world the biggest threat to world domination is a pretty girl." The cowboy smiles he is glad the Indian is fooled- sucks to be the Indian, I guess.
Classic
Superb First album ive heard were immediately want to know how to play all the songs on guitar It does the same thing for me the clash does
Fuckin great and far ahead of it’s time.
Philosophical, complex, very entertaining to listen to, i don't know what else i can say.
I can’t recall who told me to listen to this but I do recall buying this cd from an HMV in my first year of college back in the early 2000’s and listening to it a ton. It’s one of those albums that is influential that I really enjoy but is likely responsible for influencing awful acts like Art Brut. I won’t put too much blame on Gang of Four for Art Brut. I don’t return to it as often as I did in my early 20’s but the sharp guitars, the punk mixed with a touch of funk, it all hits about as well as it did back then. Absolute classic. 5 stars
Funky ass punk rock, but not only is it funky, it's also kind of Marxist?
Punk/funk? Sign me up. I’d never heard this before, feels like a revelation
An incredibly good album. I'm a sucker for clangy post-punk type guitars.
I think this is a brand new one for me, though I know I have heard Gang of Four before. Damaged Goods is one that I've heard a bunch of times but I don't know anything else from this album. I love how this record could have been released any time from the late 70s to like 2020 and it would fit right in. Right around the mid 2000s there was a sort of resurgence of this kind of straight up lightly produced but brilliantly recorded rock and I wish we had more of that today. It's super funky and punky and the same time. Great guitar work and the bass is outstanding. I love that the guitars are scratchy and angular without sounding brittle like REM or some others in that vein. Really interesting things going on and super catchy riffs. This album is really a masterclass in post-punk and I feel like I should have heard it much sooner. An underappreciated (from the mainstream masses at least) gem for sure. You can hear tons of bands that came after this throughout the whole record. Really really great album. 5/5
Gang Of Four oozes that old-school prodigal (post?)punk sensibility, with that unabashedly abrasive, unabashedly political, unabashedly loathing sound. The greatest tension of the album is who is vocalists hate more: Margaret Thatcher, or themselves. There's thick shades of The Clash, of Sex Pistols, of the Buzzcocks and Velvet Underground. You can see the influence it had on those coming afterwards, too: where would RATM be without the unsubtly political lyrics and front-and-centre crunchy bass tones? Where would Minutemen be without the bottom-heavy groove? Where would Franz Ferdinand be... full stop? Of course, music is a massive cosmic gumbo of rhizomatic influences to and from, but there's no denying the impact this had as a debut album. When I first started taking 'listening to the musical canon seriously' in 2023 (years before discovering this site), this album was my pick of the year (along with Damaged Goods as my favourite single). Pleased to say that upon re-listen this holds up so well. 'Damaged Goods' is the clear standout in particular, with that swelling it-all-comes-together at the end. That punchy, bouncy bassline is solid as hell. The album benefits immensely from letting the bass sit at the front of the bus and it shows in the very rhythmic delivery of the entire instrumentation - even the lead guitar feels comfortable sitting back in the groovy rhythm with the rest, and it lends the album a genuinely danceable cohesiveness for something so ostensibly radical. It's somewhat refreshing coming up on an album that's as completely committed to being a musical project as a political/philosophical one. The hint's in the song names and the album art, and the lyrics have nothing to hide about where they sit on the spectrum. King namedrops a suite of high-concept names (even Baudrillard gets a mention) and theories across the album, obviously preceding Morello by more than a decade but with the same angsty university-grad zeal. Gang Of Four gets to join a prestigious and revered list of artists banned off of BBC radio due to the content of their lyrics, alongside their usual punk contemporaries, and the political bent is just as jagged as its noise. Sadly Entertainment! has to settle for being the second-best album to talk about guns and butter (hard to compete against The Prodigy). If you had to nitpick you might say there's a couple tracks that aren't lighting the world on fire (like Glass). Still, five stars no problem. fav tracks: Natural's Not in It, Damaged Goods, Guns Before Butter, Love Like Anthrax
This rivals X-Ray Spex as the great political punk of its time. 'It's at the end of the rainbow (there may be oil) / The happy ever after (under rockall) / It's corked up w/ the ether (there may be oil).' I know that all punk is inherently political - even the Ramones, w/ their goofy suburban insights, are at heart a political statement - and that the British interpretations, heralded by the Sex Pistols and The Clash, are immersed in national politics, but what Gang of Four managed is critique, not just protest or revolt. 'All this talk of blood and iron / Is the cause of all my shaking.' And that critique happens to be a viscerally enjoyable thing to take in, as these guitars and drums embrace a full spectrum of punk possibilities and therefore look forward to post-punk.
Joy Division or Gang of Four...Joy Division or Gang of Four...Damn. This album changed my life. As did Unknown Pleasures. (Earlier, when I was still in high school, it was Talking Heads 77.) 5 fucking Natural's Not In It!!!!
I’m at a 5. That felt a bit ahead of schedule for 1979, at least in terms of the instrumental work; really strong panning for everything to give it some depth, especially in the percussion & bass. The bass is *so* good here. The guitar work feels like it’s from 2002 as opposed to ‘79, which is to say that this plays kinda like the garage revival of that time, with elements of early ‘90s grunge pulled in along the way. Vocally, there’s just a nice flow to everything, even if the vocals themselves don’t quite find a flow – it’s a very weird paradox, but somehow, everything falls into place in a pleasing way, even if it takes a bit to get there. The soundscape dominates a lot of the album, and just from a technical standpoint, this is enjoyable enough to just listen to, with the lyrics feeling kinda secondary. I would argue that the lyrics are honestly just as important, or at the very least, helpful to getting the point of the album. Everything here is framed under the lens of life as a marketplace, whether it’s love, sex, jobs, or time itself. Even the news is framed with a sort of cynicism; class warfare is entertainment & political assassinations are fodder for selling ad space. Gang of Four are firm on their anti-capitalism views & other political stances on this album, and honestly, I think they make their case pretty well. The lyrics don’t need to be fully understood to enjoy this album, but I think leaving this album without at least gathering some kind of small political take means you didn’t really soak it in to the extent that you could. Kurt Cobain listed this as one of his 50 favorite albums, and I can totally hear that influence throughout. Seriously, the guitar work here, for as awkward as it gets at points (especially on “At Home He’s A Tourist”, though I understand the intentional disconnect there), is really well done for the era. Even past the guitar work, there’s just a lot of clear production / compositional choices that give the instrumentals as much of a voice as Jon King & Andy Gill. Other post-punk bands of the era weren’t doing this stuff. I’m not sure I’d classify this as a post-punk album – this feels way closer to grunge with a slight funk lean, with aspects of rock music throughout that other bands would refine throughout the 1980s & beyond to come. There are points here where this album feels as much like R.E.M. as it does RHCP, Arcade Fire or Nirvana, and that’s just a testament to being this far ahead of the curve. Ultimately, the only real knocks I have on the entire thing are that “I Found That Essence Rare” has a little less bite than the other tracks & that “5.45” probably should’ve closed out over “Love Like Anthrax”. Regardless of that, it’s a super enjoyable album, & I think it deserves all of the critical praise & acclaim it gets. I’m glad it’s on the list, because I probably wouldn’t have come across it. I think it’s a super easy 5, and maybe with time, it could grow a bit higher. Pretty damn good album to end 2025 on. TL;DR: I’m entertained!
Wire's Pink Flag 2: Electric Boogaloo. Or maybe I just feel that way because all these British punk male vocalists apparently all sound legitimately indistinguishable to me. (Like, I had to poke around on Wikipedia to confirm that none of the Wire guys were singing on this record as a side project, and even now I don't know if I'm entirely convinced.) But there are commonalities enough in the instrumentals too, I think... Anyway, I fucking love Pink Flag, and jokes aside I loved this album too. Those basslines... those hooks... the way the guitars just slice through you... I could (and did) have this on multiple times in a row without wishing for a break. Awesome discovery; thanks to the generator for this one!
Talk about an album that stands the test of time. Entertainment! seems relevant, both lyrically and musically, today as it was when it was released almost 50 years ago. I enjoyed my listen for this project as much as I did when listening to it while smoking grass with my friends as a teenager. The rhythm section on the album helps keep the listener grooving along. However, as many reviewers have noted, the real secret sauce here is the minimalistic, angular guitar. Power chords fuzzed up to the maximum, yet still driving and powerful. This is a post-punk masterpiece that is on almost all “Top XX albums of all time” lists for a reason. The number of bands that cite influence of Gang of Four, and Entertainment! in particular, is vast: Nirvana, REM, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and among many others. Obviously, this is an album everyone should listen to at least once. In fact, I think I’ll give it another listen.
I thought this was great! One of the albums that has really stood out to me that I wasn't very familiar with before (though I had heard the odd song before). Songs are engaging and I love the drawing of other genres into their sound. This is not uncommon nowadays I guess but at the time I can see this would have sounded pretty neat!
Another new to me band and album. I wish someone had given this to me years ago. Solid post punk that makes you want to dance. Killer bass on this.
Oh yeah, I love this album! I love it's spiky, funky, sparse and jangly sound. Natural's Not In It and Damaged Goods are my favorites!
The record that for me defines the post punk era. Copied by many in the post-punk revival era of the early 2000s ( I see you Franz Ferdinand!) it is Gang of Four that invented the sharp angular guitars slashing through funk rhythms to produce this instantly recognizable sound. Damaged Goods, At Home He Is A Tourist and Love Like Anthrax are unmistakable hits that still resonate today. Catchy, with sing-a-long lyrics they define the sound. But the rest of the record resonates with the punk roots. This is particularly true on a track like I Found That Essence Rare which is more 77 punk rock than 79 post punk. You would think Wilco Johnson of Dr. Feelgood was playing guitars on the track. Ether and Glass similarly are vehicles for teen angst. This was a huge hit and I was lucky enough to see them on this tour and later when they were touring with Sara Lee on bass. Andy Gill’s guitar is the glue that holds this all together but Jon Kings lyrics and vocals put the pieces together to produce what was, then, a very unique sound. Repeated listens are worth the journey as they produce new insights and new favorites. For me, the only track I had difficulty appreciating early on was Return The Gift, but now, it forms an important role in keeping the album moving forward as it leads to the excellent Guns Before Butter that closes side 1. Side 2 is similar with 5.45 the track that leads into the closer Love Like Anthrax. This is a don’t miss record. Buy a copy or five.
This album is so good, it was in heavy rotation for me for quite a while. Glad to have it brought to my attention again. This is a post-punk classic and surprised it isn't held in higher regard. Upon listening to this album again it is a bit repetitive, not as good as I remember it but still really enjoyable.
I think what makes this a 5 is that I really don't expect it for the era it comes from. It sounds so modern. And, for post punk, a pretty great listen! 5/5
Great album! Just what is needed for a cold Oct day.
So spiky. I really enjoy hearing the inspiration drawn from Gang of Four by numerous bands from this century.
Love this album. Discovered it around 15 years ago and it still rules. There's so much edge and rhythm in the guitars and I love it. Great politics too. 5/5
One of my all time faves. Nearly perfect. Any 'indie' fan, especially of 2000s stuff, needs to have this in rotation.
Really liked it.
Killer record! I love it.
This was a surprise! I loved this album, and it was instantly clear how deep its legacy runs. How had I never heard of this? 1979, and I can still hear their influence on music from the 80s, 90s, and even new bands decades later. I am often jealous of the music reaction video tiktokkers who hear legendary tracks for the first time, and I am so grateful to have been able to lean into that experience with Damaged Goods.
Astoundingly good, just doesn't let up. Great lyrics, amazing rhythm section and guitar playing, so influential and starkly original.
(100/100)
What an unexpected treat - offbeat alternative rock that faintly echoes Devo and, at times, even Cardiacs (at least to my ears). The production still feels crisp and vibrant, with punchy, tight drums and a wonderfully scrappy guitar tone. Favourite tracks: Ether, Not Great Men, Damaged Goods, Return the Gift, I Found That Essence Rare, Contract, and Love Like Anthrax.
very very good!! I adore the opening track
AWESOME 5/5
This is harsher and more abrasive than most post-punk, musically and lyrically. I dig it and highly respect it even if it’s not exactly ear candy.
not great men contract (the opening) 5.45
Banda espetacular. Baixo fantástico, bateria implacável, guitarra esfaqueante, que realmente te faz sangrar, e vocais mânicos. Este disco foi lançado em 1979, no mesmo ano que Unknown Pleasures do Joy Division, e acho justo comparar essas duas bandas. Elas são parecidas, com a maior distinção sendo a temática abordada por seus respectivos vocalistas. Joy Division certamente recebeu mais atenção e mais aclamação, mas Gang Of Four hoje está em um estado de culto grande. Entendo o porquê depois de ouvir este álbum por completo. Só conhecia alguns hits da banda, nunca havia parado pra analisar o material na íntegra. Aqui temos o Post Punk magistralmente exibido, todos os elementos que você espera estão aqui e são executados perfeitamente. É um deleite ouvir este disco, e ele até faz o tempo passar rápido. Às vezes ele assalta seus ouvidos, mas de uma forma positiva, repleta de energia e disposição. Paredes de som encobrem a parte final do LP, como uma mensagem final pro ouvinte. A opressão sonora chega a ser assustadora, mas é memorável como poucas coisas nessa vida. 5/5
Yes. Top 20 album for me, easy. And Ether a top 50 song. Political, purposeful, meaningful music you can dance to. Perfect. One of the all-time great pop bands.
Hooky, edgy and well ahead of their time. Still sounds as urgent and necessary as it did at that time. Especially sitting here on my parents' sofa in the Netherlands, and seeing what utter garbage TV they are watching, this was a jarring listen. It's a 5 from me.
Loved the production. Didn't really like the lyrical composition.
Feeling more punk
Classic British punk/post-punk with ripping attitude and strutting rhythms
One of my favourite albums of all time. Guitars are crunchy, angular, clinical, played as if they're drums. Wry lyrics, syncopation, twitchy energy. Post-punk at its finest. I was introduced to this record in the mid-2000s and it really felt like a blueprint for the disco punk/"indie sleaze" aesthetic at the time. An easy 5/5
This is the 175th album I’m rating. Another basic British album that nobody knows about or cares about. Adding to my Playlist - Ether, Natural's Not in it, Not Great Men, Damaged Goods, Return the Gift, Guns Before Butter, I Found that Essence Rare, Glass, Contract, At Home He's a Tourist, 5.45, and Love Like Anthrax. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. Guns Before Butter - Before the Russo-Ukrainian War I wouldn't know what this title meant but now I do. All in all I liked 12/12 songs. I really like this album but I wonder why it was added. I won't complain though because this sounds great.
This one was really good! Listened to it for like 7 hours straight. Best song: Damaged Goods Notable(s): Ether, Natural’s Not In It, I Found That Essence Rare, It’s Her Factory
Fuck it
Basic
Such a good and important album. I hear so many later bands that I love in Gang of Four, it’s impossible not to recognize the influence. This album rips.
Absolutely love this, glad to finally have gotten around to it. Another band I have heard of a lot over the years, but the only song I knew going in was Damaged Goods (mainly from the Idles cover). I thought that Natural's Not In It and At Home He's A Tourist sounded very familiar, but I think I've just heard other more modern bands imitating their sounds. I can hear a lot of influence on US post hardcore bands like Fugazi, the Riot Grrl movement, as well as the modern post-punk revival of course. I enjoyed pretty much every other song on here too, especially Ether, Guns Before Butter, and 5.45. The band is really tight, and good political content in the lyrics. Opening an album in 1979 with a critique of the treatment of IRA prisoners in the H Blocks was very punk indeed!
5/5. The Talking Heads, meets afro-funk, meets Siouxsie and the Banshees. What a wild combination of genres that somehow still works. With catchy beats and very direct progressive and left-leaning lyrics makes you feel like you are at a funky Bernie Sanders speech while the Smiths are there. It just feels like they found a record of lost songs from the future and decided to re-record it. I think what a lot of punk bands struggle with is the accessibility of the record. The inaccessibility is the kind of the point, I get it, but sometimes you have to try something familiar to get your message out there and Gang of Four do that expertly well here. I can definitely feel myself relistening to this with something new to like each time. As the album goes on, they start to devolve in sound, on purpose, now they got your attention and you can't look away because they do it so subtly you don't notice it and by the end you want to read a book on feminism and some James Joyce for some reason. Best Song: Damaged Goods, Ether, At Home He's A Tourist
Caustic, angular and weirdly funky. The guitar and vocals contrast so wildly with the rhythm section it creates a bit of magic
I have recently received Talking Heads 77 and Television which came out around the same time as this album and are loosely characterized as being a similar genre. I really enjoyed both of those albums but this is even better. The bass lines and maybe odd time signatures coupled with the great lyrics and subject matter make this a 5 for me.
propre de fou
Пост-панк с резко звучащими гитарами и долькой фанка, качает
un álbum de innovación para la época del post-punk, la critica y los mensajes políticos dignos para la época, buenos sonidos todo el disco tiene energía
Have listened to twice this year now, but the first time was my first time actually listening to this album as part of my 2025 resolution to listen to at least one new album per week. Here is what I wrote on my spreadsheet: "While I didn't necessarily jam to every song on the album the way I would to NNII or DG, the sociopolitics of the album's lyrics are undeniably thought-provoking." I also had the pleasure of getting to see them perform live this year Previously listened to 5 songs (Natural's Not In It; Not Great Men; Damaged Goods; I Found That Essence Rare; At Home He's A Tourist) First time this year I put down I Found That Essene Rare as my favorite song, second time I put down Natural's Not In It
I had only heard Natural's Not In It from the Marie Antoinette soundtrack a million times, but not the entirety of this album. I actually loved it and it'll now join my saved music rotation.
Easy 5 for me.
Great record, one for the ages. Monotone talk/sing vocals and rough edged but chimey guitars work perfectly with the nothing to hide lyrics.
This is a great record. The rhythm section really works for me. Almost a groove under all that punk energy. Have listened before, will listen again.
Wow, I think this is the first time I've listened to this and I'm not sure how. The punk vocals with that funky, driving, and even melodic (and loud in the mix) bass works so good. This is excellent, I'm really not sure how it wasn't on my radar before. A great piece of post punk.
Post punk classic, I had this on a multiple copied cassette tape so not the best sound quality but it still grabbed me
Never heard of them…and that was a big miss! Great music.
Three tracks in and I LOVE this album!! I’d never heard it before though had always heard their name in passing. The lyrics. The guitar. The bass. The drums. The attitude. Hurts! Hits! Moves! So fucking good.
This is RIGHT up there with Talking Heads, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Joy Division. How is this not more popular?
“Every band that wanted to sound ‘cool’ between 2002–2006 ripped off Entertainment!.” Even after 1086 albums on this list, Entertainment! hits like a revelation. Furious bass, jagged guitar, mechanical drums, and razor-sharp political bite — Gang of Four sound both feral and precise. You can hear their influence on bands like Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand, but nothing matches the raw, dangerous energy here. Standouts like "Natural’s Not In It" and "Damaged Goods" make this a 5-star classic and one of the best surprises of the whole 1001 journey.
Back in 2013, I played the quiz "Which post punk band are you?" on facebook, and resulted Gang of Four. I listened to Anthrax first, and fell in love immediately with this LP to expand more about post punk particularly and alternative music generally from then on. Fav Track: Anthrax
Love post punk now thanks to the list
really fun post punk record. really rough around the edges and ugly at times. fairly aggressive. sounds great. i really appreciated the attitude and the message here. i think given time, i could grow to love this one.
Too loud @ raw
Ooh I love this one. Was trying to categorize the sound and Wikipedia used the term “dance punk.” That’s it. I like the stripped down sound and focus on lyrics and a heavy rhythm. It’s what I like about bands like the white stripes. Good start to finish.
Goddamn this album rules. An explosive release of nervous energy. This was the coolest band to rip off among all the cool bands I grew up seeing in the DC area back in 2000 (Q and not U, Rapture, Black Eyes etc). It makes sense as it's a perfect formula - driving funk bass, slashing wild guitars, extremely kinetic drums, and yelped vocals that are basically another percussion instrument - for high energy, danceable, and unrelentingly hip party punk. Damaged Goods is the perfect post-punk song.
## **In-Depth Review of Gang of Four's *Entertainment!* Album** Gang of Four’s debut album, *Entertainment!* (1979), is widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking records in post-punk history. It combines abrasive musical experimentation with sharp, politically charged lyrics, creating a work that remains influential decades after its release. Below is an in-depth analysis of the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and cultural impact, along with its pros and cons. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Entertainment!* are unapologetically political and thought-provoking. Jon King’s writing critiques capitalism, media manipulation, and societal norms with a directness that avoids pretension. Tracks like "Ether" and "Natural’s Not In It" dissect issues like colonialism and the commodification of human relationships. For example, "Natural’s Not In It" observes sex and love as consumer products: “The body is good business / Sell out, maintain the interest”[5]. Similarly, "Damaged Goods" ties themes of love and commerce together in a brutally honest way. The album’s lyrical style often uses repetition to drive home its points, ensuring clarity without sacrificing depth. The call-and-response structure in tracks like "Ether" further emphasizes contradictions within societal systems[1]. Even the album’s lone love song, "(Love Like) Anthrax," is an anti-love anthem that critiques the superficiality of romantic clichés[2]. Gang of Four’s lyrics are not just commentary—they are confrontational statements designed to provoke thought. --- ### **Music** Musically, *Entertainment!* is a masterclass in post-punk innovation. The band blends punk’s raw energy with funk-inspired rhythms and dub reggae influences to create a sound that is both abrasive and danceable. Andy Gill’s guitar work is jagged and angular, often eschewing traditional solos for sharp stabs and dissonant riffs. His playing on tracks like "At Home He’s a Tourist" epitomizes tension-and-release dynamics[5]. Dave Allen’s bass lines are equally crucial, providing syncopated grooves that often act as the backbone of the songs. Tracks like "Guns Before Butter" showcase intricate interplay between bass and guitar in a call-and-response format[5]. Meanwhile, Hugo Burnham’s drumming adds frenetic energy to the mix, creating rhythms that feel urgent yet tightly controlled. The band adhered to a strict manifesto: “No corny lyrics, no obvious melodies, and no change of key”[6]. This approach results in music that feels stripped-down yet layered—each instrument contributes equally without overshadowing the others. The absence of traditional rock tropes like guitar solos or melodic hooks underscores their rejection of mainstream formulas[6]. --- ### **Production** The production on *Entertainment!* is deliberately raw and minimalist. Andy Gill avoided effects pedals and warm tones in favor of a cold, sharp sound that matches the album’s confrontational ethos[4]. The equalized production ensures no instrument dominates—a reflection of the band’s democratic approach to music-making[6]. Dub reggae influences are evident in the spacious arrangements; rather than filling every sonic gap, the production allows room for tension to build organically. This creates a sense of unease that complements the lyrical themes perfectly[6]. While some listeners might find this sparse production challenging initially, it ultimately serves the album's purpose by emphasizing its starkness. --- ### **Themes** Thematically, *Entertainment!* is deeply rooted in socio-political critique. The band explores topics such as capitalism ("Natural’s Not In It"), media propaganda ("5:45"), colonialism ("Ether"), and interpersonal relationships viewed through a transactional lens ("Damaged Goods"). These themes are presented with a Neo-Marxist perspective but avoid dogmatic rhetoric; instead, they offer incisive observations that resonate universally. One standout theme is the manipulation of public perception by media and capitalism. Tracks like "Contract" interrogate how societal expectations shape personal relationships[5]. The album also critiques historical narratives—"Not Great Men" challenges the glorification of leaders while highlighting systemic oppression[5]. Gang of Four intertwines personal and political issues seamlessly, showing how macro-level systems influence individual experiences. This thematic depth makes *Entertainment!* timelessly relevant[3][6]. --- ### **Influence** *Entertainment!* has had an enduring impact on music and culture. It inspired countless artists across genres—from Nirvana's Kurt Cobain to Frank Ocean—and helped shape the post-punk movement as a whole[3]. Bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers have cited Gang of Four as a major influence on their funk-rock sound[3]. Despite its lackluster commercial performance upon release, *Entertainment!* has become a staple on "Greatest Albums" lists from outlets like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork[4][3]. Its radical approach to music-making encouraged generations of artists to push boundaries both sonically and lyrically. --- ### **Pros** 1. **Innovative Sound**: The fusion of punk energy with funk rhythms and dub influences creates a unique musical experience. 2. **Sharp Lyrics**: Jon King’s direct yet poetic writing tackles complex issues without resorting to pretension. 3. **Equalized Production**: The balanced mix ensures every instrument contributes equally to the overall sound. 4. **Timeless Themes**: The socio-political critiques remain relevant decades later. 5. **Cultural Impact**: Its influence on artists from various genres solidifies its legacy. --- ### **Cons** 1. **Accessibility**: The album’s abrasive sound and unconventional song structures may alienate casual listeners. 2. **Sparse Production**: While intentional, some may find the minimalist approach lacking warmth or polish. 3. **Commercial Appeal**: Its refusal to conform to mainstream formulas limited its initial success. 4. **Repetitive Elements**: The frequent use of repetition in lyrics might feel redundant to some listeners. --- ### **Conclusion** Gang of Four's *Entertainment!* is more than just an album—it’s a manifesto for radical music-making. Its combination of politically charged lyrics, innovative musicality, and raw production challenges conventions while inspiring reflection on societal issues. Though it may not appeal to everyone due to its abrasive style and uncompromising stance, it remains one of post-punk's defining works. For those willing to engage with its complexities, *Entertainment!* offers profound insights into both personal struggles and systemic injustices—a timeless reminder that music can be both entertaining and revolutionary.
I had heard about Gang of Four and thought this album was going to be right down my alley. It was. There was more funk and what felt like pre-Red Hot Chili Peppers in many ways. Damaged Goods, Return the Gift and Guns Before Butter are all songs I feel like RHCP would have written. This is a really good album and I am putting this in my list of albums to give another listen to. Really fun post-punk and it's much less rock-y and more funk-oriented than any other post-punk albums that have been on this list. Recommend.
This was my first recommended rock album. I was listening to it while working out. It made me wish I had known about the Gang of Four before. My father, who was nine when this album came out, enjoyed it, too.
I've reccently learned that I really love dance punk, and I've been meaning to listen to this album for a while. I usually tend to find 70's punk pretty boring, but this album is a blast. Super fun beats and very energetic. My only problem is that it does all start to sound the same as the album goes on. Low 5 (on the verge of a 4).
Starting off, the cover set the stage and made me very sad, because it's very true. The whole album and its commentary is incredibly bleak and real. I'm not sure if I should dance, cry my eyes out, refuse to cry my eyes out, write a manifesto, become as cynical and disillusioned and plan to overtake the world, or become as cynical and disillusioned and fade into history like this band. Then I googled(well, perplexitied) and saw that their guitarist and apparently the creative core of the group had produced records for RHCP. This is a spectacular album in terms of political commentary. Probably I’ll not listen to this again, but I'm happy I was introduced to this!
When I first heard this at 14, I was blown away. The lyrics are so cutting, the music is so stark, it's pissed off about the system and it points out flaws. This is probably the only punk album I like.
I've no notes—I love this band and their debut is post-punk perfection.
Is always worth it.
Love Love Love This.
This is my first time listening to this full album, even though I love every Gang of Four song I've ever heard and am generally a sucker for any bass-driven punk situation. Then you swirl in some anti-capitalist theory and, well, I'm on board. Here's what wikipedia says to summarize Situationist theory, which is a central theme of this album: "Essential to situationist theory was the concept of the spectacle, a unified critique of advanced capitalism of which a primary concern was the progressively increasing tendency towards the expression and mediation of social relations through images.[2] The situationists believed that the shift from individual expression through directly lived experiences, or the first-hand fulfillment of authentic desires, to individual expression by proxy through the exchange or consumption of commodities, or passive second-hand alienation, inflicted significant and far-reaching damage to the quality of human life for both individuals and society." The 2025 version of this album would be called "Content!" THIS HEAVEN GIVES ME ME-GRAINE
Quality this!! Love the guitars and vocals, repetitive but catchy. Really good.
This album was an absolute game-changer in the punk genre, helping to spawn a style of angular, aggressive post-punk that you still hear bands today trying to emulate. Not to mention the social and political commentary in the lyrics. This album specifically changed my ideas of what punk rock could be, and I still listen to it regularly. Absolutely essential.
Iconic postpubk album, teenage, lusty, strong, male, english, political, jagged - once got my English teacher tonllay one of these songs in class and he was horrified. Wonderful album
I feel like these guys don’t get the same respect as the Sex Pistols or the Clash, but this album was just as influential (and in my opinion way fucking better than anything the Pistols ever did). It’s too bad they never repeated the greatness, but it’s still a punk masterpiece.
Now that’s entertainment. Seriously, on almost all of the tracks, one of the Four was playing some rhythm that was blowing my mind. I love punk; this was punk+.
YOUR KISS SO SWEET YOUR SWEAT SO SOUR Als ik dit 6 sterren zou kunnen geven had ik er 7 gegeven.
Good post punk sound very raw but has a little polished sound
Oh yeah!
I’ve loved this one a long long time. I read a review of it in some book quite a while back and it made me seek it out. The reviewer loved Love Like Anthrax, which I agree might be the best one, but honestly they’re all great.
Alt rock from 1978-1979 just hits harder man. This album is unbelievably good, up there with Television and Magazine. I pretty much ejoyed everything on this album. It's upbeat, hooky, rocking, and sounds about 15 years ahead of It's time. My favorites are Not Great Men, Guns Before Butter, and I Found That Essence Rare, but really this whole album is very listenable.
Love this album!
I first listened to this album in 2007, or thereabouts – some time in my own “art school” phase (doing cultural studies at uni, as good as the late naughties could offer me really). Alongside Wire’s Pink Flag, this record made an immediate impression, and has stayed on rotation since. (I must have listened to “Return the gift” 1000 times since then.) I tend to use these reviews drawing parallels or trying to chart the provenance of ideas; not that it matters necessarily where something came from or who used the idea next, it’s just fun. In this instance, suffice it to say this record must have inspired 90% of the music I hold dearest in some way or another. For me personally this album inspired something a bit different – a feeling I can’t entirely put words to, but maybe “community” is closest. I’m a happier person for knowing something as exciting as this album exists. I knew I’d get what I asked for.
This album was a really pleasant surprise!! Classic, kooky, angsty punk. They get the message across without screaming lmao. I dig it.
It's genius. It's brilliant. When I get tired of music, this is one of the albums that gives me back my taste.
A clearly very influential album, I can hear how they've impacted the sound of a lot of the current bands I like. I recognised Damaged Goods, to realise I had previously listened to IDLES cover. Standout Tracks: - Natural's Not in It - Damaged Goods - Return the Gift - At Home He's a Tourist
Great album. It’s a thread in a lot of music that followed.
First album in a long time that made me wanna dance with it.
Fucking YES. can't fathom how i've not heard this before, but this is exactly why i started this nonsense 632 albums ago.
Overall: 10/10 An album so loved that I avoided it in fear that it could never live up to the high expectations that it's reputation instilled in me. I'm such an idiot cause oh my god this is so so so so good. I wish I was smart enough to decipher these lyrics but I can tell they're incredibly political. The guitar work is disjointed in a way that adds to the music and that bass is gorgeous. This is gonna be a favourite of mine for a long time. Fav Song: Damaged Goods Least Fav Song: Return the Gift
Really good album. Groovy bass and short and punchy songs.
post punk classic real good
edited april 17, 2025 to change the rating to five stars!! this is one of my favourite albums that this project has introduced to me. the tracklist is full of gritty, anthemic bangers. nicotine really goes to my head!!
When this started I expected to think by the end "ok that was neat, onto the next!" but something about this really got its hooks in me. The bass, the repetition, the stabbing guitars, the neat disorganisation of it all... before I know it I'm five listens in. Very happy with this one!
Never listened to this album before and had heard of Gang of Four, but I didn't know much about them. I could listen to this album on repeat and never get bored, what an album and I can't wait to listen to more of Gang of Four now! It's a masterpiece and you can hear its influence on so many bands and so many types of rock and indie music!
I don’t believe that unbiased opinions exist. I think that the closest to unbiased that any of us can get is to try to be aware of our biases and be honest about them. So when I tell you that this album is exactly my shit and I adore it, I am not saying that it will be exactly your shit or that you should adore it. I’m just telling you that years before I was born, some working-class pinko punks in Leeds made an album for me and I love it very much.
God knows how many times i've listened to this album, already a fav for me especially given my extreme love for the post-punk era it comes from. Biting lyrics full of wit and humour, edgy guitar and bass lines, almost mechanic drumming. One of the top albums when it comes to this style.
I liked this quite a bit. The songs all have momentum. The bass is really good throughout and the lyrics carry hefty political weight while being in songs you could dance to. They should make a genre like that. They could call it “dance punk”. I think that would be really neat.
Finally some good original music. Gang of Four is so cool!!! Their bass game is strong and I’m loving how different they were in 1979. They talk about so many things but still stay musically relevant. I’m definitely going to listen again. Love love love.
Really strong record, still holds up today, great beats and pertinent lyrics.
Oh fuck yes! So fun and interesting and influential. It’s still pretty fabulous. 5/5
The good kind of weird. Probably a 4.5, but I’m feeling generous.
This is BY FAR, the best album I've never heard of (at least so far). The post-punk hits hard, and it was SOOO ahead of it's time. On top of it, the album doesn't feel cheesy or overdone like a lot of other punk albums. Best Songs: Natural's Not In It, Damaged Goods, Guns Before Butter, I Found That Essence Rare, At Home He's A Tourist, Love Like Anthrax Worst Songs: NA
Great record! Listened to this one 100's of times in college. Some of the best punk bass playing ever!
Post-punk at its earliest and finest! So minimalistic so energetic so good. If you like this, leapfrog to 1997’s “Dig Me Out” by Sleater-Kinney.
Tight and vivid. Did not listen much to the lyrics but agree with the tendency...
Gang of Four have always been one of my favorite post-punk bands. I don't need to write about the politics expressed in excellent lyrics, angular guitar or jarring but funky rhythms of their initial output. Plenty of ink, both in digital and on paper, has been spilled on all of that. Rather, I want to note that my first and longest engagement with Gang of Four was through the collection "A Brief History of the Twentieth Century". I've written about the way that collections tend to paper over the valleys and missteps of a band such that you can have a very different frame to hang on the picture of them. I mix my metaphors daily as well you might notice. But the real thing to notice is just how much of that collection comes from entertainment! This album's dips in quality are minor at best and better seen as ramps from which they launch into incredible songs that achieve great heights. I am all in on this record, of course.
Esta muy bueno, great production, amazing perfromances. 9.5/10
La última canción lo subió a 9/10
Your favorite band's favorite band.
One of the quintessential post-punk albums, and a great work all around. Several bangers and no filler. Swinging bass, angular guitars, and socially conscious lyrics. No complaints.
Any album opening with this thick of meaty bass has strong potential. Hopefully something to elevate from this rut of mediocrity as of late. Really digging the groove on Ether -- guitar tone reminds me a lot of Minutemen, but something about the rest makes me think Talking Heads. Damaged Goods is another high point on here so far. I'm a sucker for dynamic bass and some scratchy guitar. Love Like Anthrax is a hell of a closer. The layered vocals are a trip (especially when the coincide) with a simple, yet wonderful bass groove to propel this thing forward. Man, we need more albums like this in this list. I feel like I've heard of Gang of Four before, but this is my first time listening to them. Certainly will not be my last. This album is fantastic with perfectly balanced production; it is at once tight and rough. Feels very similar in a lot of ways to Double Nickels on the Dime. Easy 5 / 5 for me. Going right back in for another listen.
Fudge yeah!
Yesssss
An album unlike any other new wave album . The guitar work is beautiful yet aggressive cutting into the songs like a jagged knife. The themes of middle class bourgeois excess and power are smart, funny any as jagged as the guitars.
edgy. brilliant. ground breaking.
I had so much fun with this one! I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of GO4 before. Funky, playful poppy punk that has so many elements I enjoy from other artists (dissonant bass and guitar riffs repeated in a way that makes them melodic, upbeat boppy drums, BRI’ISH YELLIN’).
One of my faves. I love a man in uniform.
Every track brilliant. Post punk mixed with politics
Sparse yet exciting Striking noisy melodies Bass driven fun tracks
The influence of the Gang and this album is undeniable, and well deserve. It's cold but fun in a twisted way. Some songs are so entertaining; I couldn't help but nod in rhythm while listening to the album.
rules, absolutely rules. there are legends of guitar playing who have never done anything half as cool as the line on Ether. what else is there to say? music: I smile, I think music is my friend. (⌐■_■)
Easy some of the best guitar work so far, especially coming a day after 80 minutes of serif Clapton. Fantastic album, nothing bad to say.
Uno de mis álbumes favoritos de pink
Ive always thought this was one of the greatest records ever made.
Sharp, tight, edgy, fresh, absolutely outstanding. It is clear why this is one of Rolling Stone's top punk albums of all time
I'll be listening again!!
Absolutely solid.
Great political punk
One of the top post punk albums
I wouldn't hesitate to call this a surrealist post-punk record. It feels like dancing while everything around you crumbles. The stems that make up these songs are skeletal and the album is less concerned with filling up the sonic space and more concerned with building rudimentary grooves that sound almost like repetitive sound bites layered on top of one another. To say it's danceable would be an understatement, I mean just listen to that bassline and distorted strumming on "Damaged Goods". Rarely do I hear basslines so clear to the point where it's practically driving the melody. "Natural's Not It" works just as well. While the instrumentals' simplistic, discernable, and punchy characteristics are the ingredients to this album's addictiveness, the vocals themselves work just as well to that effect. The melodies are stripped back, repetitive, and very basic but because the instrumentals leave a lot of room, the vocals are never drowned out and work in conjunction with the instrumentals in an undeniably visceral way. Both vocalists Jon King and Andy Gill (on "Natural's Not It") are very talented in this way and their subtle sarcasm contributes heavily to this album's overall theme (Given the already sarcastic title). Certain songs here contain almost annoyingly catchy choruses like "Return the Gift", "I Found That Essence Rare" and "Glass". I say annoyingly because I tend to get them stuck in my head, not to knock them in any way. There's almost a nursery rhyme-esque charm to some of these choruses, which when paired up against the distortion on a song like "Return the Gift", works wonders. I love the way the instrumental builds at the end of this song too, it's one of the most fiery moments on this record. Synths pop in every once in a while like on the track "5.45" which is effective in establishing that song's ominous mood given the subject matter. Now the Gang of Four is relentlessly political on this album. Taking their name from a CCP faction, it's quite clear what their leanings are; leftist and Marxist. Now I've never been good at writing about politics or dissecting political art in particularly creative ways, but I'll still give it a shot. "Natural's Not It" deals particularly with consumerism culture and has probably my favorite lyrics overall. "Damaged Goods" describes a relationship and the protagonists' shallow engagement with the other party, often interpreted as a critique of capitalism. "I Found That Essence Rare" describes the shallow and almost naive nature of the media's portrayal of life; criticizing their obsession with blissful ignorance. "Glass" to me just seems like a description of a monochromatic life under capitalism, filled with headaches, cigarettes, and a perpetual longing for meaning. The matter of unrealistic sex expectations also crops up in the song "Contract". The song "5.45" might be the most direct track here. Gill doesn't bother sugarcoating the media's desire to resell death, violence, and division as entertainment, nicely tying back to the title of the album. It raises an interesting question about what this album itself is trying to achieve, given the title "Entertainment!". The song's sentiment has unfortunately aged very well, as did most of the sentiments on this album. I ramble and ramble like I know what I'm talking about at all. One thing I do know is that this album rules. It's damn near flawless. I mentioned it was surrealist and I still stand by that. It depicts all aspects of life under capitalism as unfulfilling, empty, and shallow over these catchy-as-all-hell songs. It's this incredible combination of two very different moods and sounds that makes this album so unique.
5. This album is amazing. It's as if Talking Heads and The Sex Pistols had a cross over. This album was so ahead of its time and influenced so many artists. Highlights were Damaged Goods, I Found That Rare Essence, and Love Like Anthrax being a great album closer
Blast from my past.
KÆMPE banger! no notes!!
Great punky rock, or rocky punk.
Good stuff! I grew up then and never remember hearing this.
Wasn't expecting much but got a fantastically groovy post-punk record with solid lyrics. Surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Favorite tracks: "Natural's Not In It", "Damaged Goods", "Glass"
Classic album
Lo-fi. Distorted. Sparse. Muted. Brief. Wonderful.
Has the sound of late 70s / early 80s post punk stripped down songs. I can hear how their sound showed up in other bands’ music. It grew on me as it went on. The band is a fan of repetitive lyrics. “Damaged Goods” and “Love Like Anthrax” stood out for me. “Guns Before Butter” has some fun drumming. “At Home He
Punky post punk. Solid 4
Gets a four cause I don’t think I’d listen to it in full again but it fucking rips, this is quieter than most punk albums and it’s way rougher and abrasive and yet also much more pleasant to listen to. Not to mention it’s also very politically motivated, which I always respect. Big up to these guys, a little samey, but that’s admissible when you practically invent a new sound.
Bass.
Red hot chili peppers type shit <3. I liked very mucho
Punk without the screaming
Aldeles helt ok, men ikke så interessant for min del.
Amazing 1979 post-punk. Stylistic similarities to Bauhaus' first album in 1980. RIP guitarist Andy Gill.
Reminds me of Television mixed with some punk. I can see why U2 and others cite them as early influences.
Punky and a taste of the 80s music to come, this was a fun listen. 3.5/5
Great post punk record
Sadly unfamiliar with this band, thanks generator. Sonically somewhat similar, if a bit more rythmic, to Joy Division, who I also love. Strong album overall 4/5
I do like *Solid Gold* better than this one, but I also like that the debut is a bit rougher around the edges, much closer to the punk side of post. Highlights "Damaged Goods", "I Found That Essence Rare", "At Home He's a Tourist"... and "Anthrax" which might have my favorite couplet of the album: "Love will get you like a case of anthrax And that's some thing I don't want to catch". 😄😆😂 💯 (8.7) ★★★★
This is a really cool album that floated two ideas: dance music could be cool and art punk could be funky. It's a cool sound that inspired a countless great bands - from R.E.M. to LCD Soundsystem to IDLES. Some great songs here too -- "Damaged Goods", "Ether", "I Found that Essence Rare", and my personal favorite, "Natural's Not In It". 4.5 stars.
An album I had previously purchased due to its reputation and struggled with, rating it a mid 3/5 on RYM and left unlistened to and unloved for 20 years. Being led to listen again here, this is testament to how our taste matures with experience in life, now this a great mix of post punk and funky dub elements & angular Wilco Johnson esque choppy guitar. Inspired a few repeat plays on the day and although not quite a 5 due to a slight drop in quality towards the end its now a very solid 4.
Genuinely inventive and sharp. Not always intelligible or interesting, but made with care and brains.
I saw this warm-up band once and they sounded exactly like Gang of Four - both in terms of vocal delivery and musical content. I ended up talking to the singer after the show and mentioned this, and he said “you’re the second person who’s said that tonight! I’ve never heard of Gang of Four. I’m going to check them out when I get home.” He said this with the earnest enthusiasm of a golden retriever, so I don’t think I was being trolled. But the alternative is this band recreated the sound of Gang of Four from first principles in 2017, which is getting into monkey and typewriter levels of probability. So maybe I just offended him greatly. Honourable mentions for Daniel Shimizu’s part in That’s Life & how the song Anthrax gets stuck in my head whenever I see a beetle.
This is cool shit I like it
dont always understand these "highly influential bands' I've never heard of. This one I do
puik post punk plaatje
Great early punk! Damaged Goods is such a good track.
Why didn’t I know about this???
I enjoyed this
Ether, Naturals Not in It, Not Great Men, Damaged Goods, I Found that Essence Rare and At Home He is aTourist are some of the bangers. Without them no Franz Ferdinand etc.
They sound a lot like Devo on this album
At first it sounded like punk oatmeal but then track 7ish came on. FO!
I'd never listened to this before but I liked it. You can hear Gang of Four in lots of bands... through to later indie artists like LCD Soundsystem. The guitars reminded me of Interpol and Frank Ferdinand too. Really cool
A little bit repetitive but this had a lot more merit than some of the other Punk / post punk albums on here