Entertainment

I Really Enjoyed this. It was fun, Fresh and just what I felt like. I can only imagine what a vibe watching these guys must have been like. some savage base and drum riffs. That intro to Not Great Men was just fantastic. I need to listen to more of them. Notable Songs, Not Great Men, I Found the Essence Rare, Love Like Anthrax. 4 Stars

Gang of Four's 1979 debut, "Entertainment!", a favourite of the music press and publications like Sounds in the UK at that time. "Entertainment!" is fundamentally a British album, providing a sharp reflection of its era, saturated with biting social and political commentary. Today's mainstream is devoid of this challenging and provocative music. The production on "Entertainment!" is excellent, providing direct crystal clear sound, allowing every angular guitar stab to cut through. While many of the tracks are intentionally jarring, the band proved they could write a hook, with tracks like "I Found That Essence Rare", which offers a more accessible and catchy chorus. Jon King's vocals are delivered in a direct, often colloquial English, functioning less as traditional singing and delivered more as urgent, spoken-word declarations. Despite being an album focused on social and political commentary "Entertainment" delivers an irresistible urge to move and dance. With standout tracks like the "At Home He's a Tourist" and the brilliant, "Love Like Anthrax," "Entertainment!" remains a most enjoyable and essential listen. Four stars. Side one 1 "Ether" (5/5) 2 "Natural's Not in It" (4/5) 3 "Not Great Men" (3/5) 4 "Damaged Goods" (5/5) 5 "Return the Gift" (5/5) 6 "Guns Before Butter" (3/5) Side two 1 "I Found That Essence Rare" (5/5) 2 "Glass" (3/5) 3 "Contract" (3/5) 4 "At Home He's a Tourist" (5/5) 5 "5.45" (4/5) 6 "Love Like Anthrax" (5/5) Total - 50 Average - 4.17 132/1001 68/132 albums reviewed were new to me.

Early bloc party feels. Its... fine

Not sure what to make of this! I think I liked it overall. But I probably wouldn’t revisit it. Damaged Goods was my favourite track. (3.5 stars)

Great album! Just what is needed for a cold Oct day.

All these songs sounded the same to me but I can see how this band and this album were ahead of their time

Among the multifarious progeny of this classic - the Minutemen, Black Flag, Fugazi, the Feelies - I want to call out Rage Against the Machine, simply because, whatever you think of the politics here (and I'm generally in favor of them) the playing on display is *incredible*. Andy Gill, Dave Allen, and Hugo Burnham may have a claim to the title of Most Valuable Rhythm Section (Gill included here because he's playing rhythm guitar and he fucking *plays* it). As far as those lyrics go, the verbosity is a blessing and a curse at times but Jon King's delivery makes it work. And I'm willing to excuse some Neo-Puritanism ("Damaged Goods") in exchange for a clear statement of class purpose - and "please send me evenings and weekends" on "Return the Gift" is about as pure as it gets.

So spiky. I really enjoy hearing the inspiration drawn from Gang of Four by numerous bands from this century.

„Entertainment!“ von Gang of Four erschien 1979 und gilt als eines der einflussreichsten Alben des Post-Punk. Die Band aus Leeds, bestehend aus Andy Gill, Jon King, Dave Allen und Hugo Burnham, nahm das Album im The Workhouse Studio in London auf. Der Sound ist kantig, reduziert und geprägt von der Verbindung aus Punk-Energie, Funk-Groove und schneidendem Gitarrenspiel. Texte und Musik wirken kühl, analytisch und zugleich aggressiv. Themen wie Entfremdung, Konsumkritik und politische Machtstrukturen ziehen sich durch das gesamte Werk. Stücke wie „Damaged Goods“, „Natural’s Not in It“ oder „At Home He’s a Tourist“ zeigen exemplarisch, wie die Band mit rhythmischer Präzision und ironischer Distanz gesellschaftliche Zustände seziert. Gang of Four schufen mit „Entertainment!“ ein Album, das musikalisch roh und intellektuell durchdacht zugleich ist. Es beeinflusste zahlreiche Bands der folgenden Jahrzehnte und bleibt ein Schlüsselmoment zwischen Punk, Funk und kritischer Popkultur.

There were few and far between moments where I said "this sounds good". Droning voice. Annoying instruments.

Started okay but then jusy became boring. 2 stars or D+.

Never come across Gang of Four before, and I hope not to again. Unsure why is this on the list. It's just a bit naff.

Grew on me as I listened

First half of this I was getting into and enjoying the album, but I think it starting getting annoying and maybe something about the voice started draining me.

Knowing nothing about them, I was looking forward to this based on the band's info on Spotify: "Gang of Four is one of the most radically important, and influential rock groups of the last 40 years." I am underwhelmed.

Done this one

Real good album. Another post-punk band that has been completely off my radar but that I immediately liked. I'll need to check out more Gang Of Four. 4/5

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.

I don't know why I thought they were a 70s US soul band, but I noticed someone before me commented the same, so I am not alone in this. Anyway, it means I haven't heard about this hugely influential post-punk album before, which was a mistake on my part - it's a really great album, tight, punchy, funky with interesting lyrics as well. The album went by really fast which means it's a compact, consistent and entertaining album. 4 stars upon first listen.

dobro

Fantastic

Thought these were a soul band

The tunes are good, and the vibe and energy are great. It's also an interesting mix of styles. And again, the tunes are good. But notice I didn't say they were great. I can see listening to this album for the energy or mood, but the tunes are simply good, not great. So it's 3.5, rounding down to 3. (Also interesting that a British band's album art is about another country's history.)

Just loved the raw energy of it!

Far too long for the type of content presented here. Not bad in the beginning but by the end I wasn't impressed. 2/5

Kind of reminds me of a more straightforward punk version of the Talking Heads. Feel like I've missed out not listening to these guys before. Pretty cool album, will Listen again.

4.5

Thought I’d be mellow towards this but it was fun as hell and had my attention loud and clear for the lyrics. Good, clean, simple music whilst saying all the right things.

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.

This has some good head bopping moment but overall felt very flat musically.

The repetitive lyrics drove me nuts.

(100/100)

Highly energetic and lovely album.

For all of its undeniable influence and staple in punk music and indeed popular music history, Entertainment! might have been a more enticing listen. It really does feel like something you’d hear in a middle-aged dad’s ‘man cave’, or played in an independent record shop where the walls are stacked high with 12” rave singles and the staff are passive-aggressive, peaked-in-the-90s, know-it-all wankers. But enough about my perceived listenership. This album is great. That’s all you need for a review, really, but I’ll expand just slightly on that by mentioning its right-on and in many cases still relevant lyrics, its occasionally majorly dirgy guitar sounds, which I like best on closing track Anthrax, and for many I suppose what makes this record so lasting, the punkiness of its vocals. I’m not so much a fan, but you couldn’t really imagine any other sort of ‘singing’ here. It’s another one of those that’s well-known, influential, innovative, and maybe not all that ‘excellent’. But of course, still worth a listen, before you die.

Initially really didn’t like this one. Warmed up to it on a second listen, think I partly needed the familiarity but also think I don’t like the first few tracks very much. Once I get further in I find the tracks fun. Fav song: Return the Gift Least fav: Ether

Kind of sounds like every other punk album honestly. Didn’t move me. Had a decent sound though Specifici rating- 3.0 Fav song - I found that essence rare Least fav - love like anthrax

Took me a few songs to warm up to their style of singing but it really grew on me. Favourite song: Damaged Goods Least: Ether

Strange sound. Strange music.

Pretty solid punk/post punk! Wasn’t loving the last track or two, but I really enjoyed this overall!

I remember liking them more than I did after listening to this. Johnny One Note.

Not bad, but not as good as their later stuff and not as good as the Buzzcocks. 3.5

I had fun with this one, but the tone never struck me quite right until the closing track. That one felt the most experimental as far as sound and lyrical themes to me. I think I usually just enjoy a bit of a harder punk sound than this offered.

This was cool. I'm a sucker for all things punk. This was good. I like the kind of stripped down of each song. They also kind of play with different genres without ever going full send. I will say that every song sounds very similar. Its hard to distinguish one from the next. But I enjoyed this!

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.

Great Songs: Good Songs: Ether, Natural's 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 Mid Songs: Not Great Men, Return the Gift, Glass Bad Songs:

More British than cousin Jeremy

Go4 is amazing. Damaged Goods is a classic, but the rest of the album is energetic and frenetic...a great time. 4.5/5

Nein, Nix für mich!

Musikken og især bas er fed, men jeg kan bare ikke lide engelske tekster (UK) det er for enslydende med alt andet britisk musik

I feel this album is what Devo and Talking heads feels like to me. Edgy but straight forward, great bass, really enjoyable. I’m surprised I haven’t heard of these guys before, but I really like them. Excited to get more into them

Музыка: 7/10 Разнообразие: 5/10 Тематика и вайб: 6/10 Цепляемость (отдельные песни зашли): 3/10 Реиграбельность (можно ли рандомно врубить на фон): 6/10 Итог: 5.4

So great! So influential, sounds like so many other things I love from all of the decades that followed it… a ton of fun

one of the fun albums of all time... been lovin this thing for like 15 years!!

If there was ever an example of Post Punk to be had, I think Gang of Four would be a perfect example of it. Where the Sex Pistols and other punk groups were on raw energy Gang of Four does a beautiful job of showing how punk can be progressive, and artsy while still keeping its punk sensibilities. Not Great Men has a really cool jazz-bass-drums rhythm. Overall this album was good as a solo work and great from a historical blasting point with obvious influence on later bands like Talking Heads.

Random thoughts: * Punk but with funk! * I bet this was groundbreaking at the time of its release. * I can feel the influence in early 2000s indie groups like Bloc Party and Los Campesinos, etc. * They were really adjacent of Clash and also expanded on what Punk was and took it to the next level. * I put on Gang of Four radio on Spotify and it was pretty solid with many of 1001 entries (Modern Lovers, Suicide, Television) along with Devo, New Order, and the Stooges. Solid listen when in the proper mood.

Another excessively dull British rock band.

I can appreciate the influence this album had, especially with its post-punk sound that would go on to inspire a lot of early grunge and alternative bands. You can hear the rawness and angular energy in the riffs, and I get why it mattered historically. That said, outside of the influence, there was not much here that I could really get behind. The songs feel sharp and aggressive, but they never pulled me in or stuck with me after the fact. It is more interesting to think about its place in music history than to actually sit down and listen to it all the way through. For me, this one works better as an artifact of the post-punk movement than as something I would want to revisit. Respect for the impact, but not much enjoyment in the moment.

Sonic Youth on low settings

It was ok

Crazy influential (chili peppers and franz ferdinand) and really original, but not that enjoyable for me. The songs just sit on one idea too long. Gave it 4 stars for impact, but minus one because I couldn’t really enjoy it.

Never heard of this group. Very punchy punk. The album has a brightness and funkiness to it. I really enjoyed this album

I’m not quite sure what the difference is between “punk” and “post-punk”. Nonetheless, I did enjoy this one. It’s not literature, but it is fun as hell.

i’ve listened to this before but it’s so good and obviously damaged goods is a classic.

- nunca tinha ouvido - uma mistura de punk e reggae - bem produzido, vai agradar que gosta de The Police e outras bandas inglesas dos anos 80

Don’t know why I’ve never listened to this before. Like a more aggressive Young Marble Giants. Will definitely listen again.

I enjoyed this. A solid listen but without a real wow factor. Likely influential on some of the bands I regularly listen to. 3.5 but on the three side.

😎

Great punk album. Not sure why I love hearing a marbled mouth brit singing punk but it is fantastic almost every time.

Probably the closest to some of my actual musical tastes. I will have to return to it when I don't have a horrible headache.

The punk is definitely punking.

I’ve always been into alternative music. This album was reminiscent of early weekend mornings in the 2000s. Guitar hero type shit. When your parents are still sleeping so you can play video games. It’s rhythmic, catchy and on to something… for the first quarter of the song… for the entire album. Probably wouldn't listen to again. Made me question if I like alternative music. 1.5/5. For the record, I’m horrible at guitar hero. That’s why these songs are (I’m gonna quote my boi Mason) “aggressively up my [guitar hero] alley”. Fight me.

Not a big post punk fan but I did enjoy some of the songs on this. Feels like a less-artsy Talking Heads at points. Favorite tracks: “Damaged Goods”

I can't deny that they have influenced LCD Soundsystem, rem, and countless others, but I also can't deny that this album dragged for me. Lacks the oomph that I've been spoiled with from the bands that have succeeded them. For me, right now, this incapsulates a band that walked so others could run.

Some decent, unique riffs, some nice bass work. Way too repetitive and none of the riffs are really memorable.

Was ist daran besonders?

The bass line and guitar squeal get a bit redundant but that's early post punk. This is good album, I hadn't listened to Gang of Four in probably 15 years and after listening to this album again I don't know why

British punk proto ska. Just made me want to listen to the police

A great bass and drum section that lays down some serious groove, but hard to move beyond the clanging amateur guitar and the godawful grating affected vocals. Bumped it up to a 2 simply for the rhythm section.

very very good!! I adore the opening track

Pretty decent post-pink

First time diving in to GOF and loved them! Love the driving bass lines

Legends

A party of post punk goodness!

Blind album and artist. I loved the groovy grit of this but not enough to keep my interests throughout. At 1 point I was bored I think.

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.

Post-Punk mit Biss und Botschaft – kantig, kritisch, klug. Ein Hauch von Ska schimmert durch: tanzbare Rhythmen, stakkatoartige Gitarren, fast schon nervös groovend. Doch auf Dauer etwas monoton und verkopft. Nicht schlecht aber nicht ganz mitreißend.

6/10 - I did not hate it, but it was nothing crazy good

Entertaining

Abrasive. Plodding. No dynamics. No beauty.

You can hear how this influenced pretty much every album I've loved since I was a kid...

There's a lot of awesome, interesting guitar riffs in this one. Really solid. It's not exactly my favorite genre (punk is pretty hit or miss with me), but I thought that was pretty good for a punk album. I'd listen to a few of the tracks again. Vocals weren't the best I've ever heard either, but that's the genre and it fits with it.

3.5

01) Ether - 6,5 02) Natural's Not in It - 6,5 03) Not Great Men - 6,0 04) Damaged Goods - 6,5 05) Return the Gift - 6,0 06) Guns Before Butter - 5,5 07) I Found That Essence Rare - 6,5 08) Glass - 6,5 09) Contract - 5,5 10) At Home He's a Tourist - 5,5 11) 5.45 - 5,45 :-) 12) Love Like Anthrax - 5,5 TOTAL: 6,00 (60/100) Current ranking: 504/640

not great men contract (the opening) 5.45

So much post-punk on this list. I liked it but didn’t find it particularly memorable.

raw and good tones

Worthy and wordy but the instrumentation is so dull. Hard to get past a set of songs which sound alike. Most of the songs have the same opening sequence. Not unlike Wire.

Talk-singing, a bit English, a bit guitar. I don’t mind it

Группа кино если бы цой играл пост панк 7/10

Бодренько так звучало фоном. 6,5 из 10.

This is very close to being a 5 for me. It’s just missing that something special to put it over the top. Very very good though

Loved it even though I'm not into punk. Politically charged, interesting musical genre mix.

Kind of a baffling album because I really love it but I definitely don’t think I need to listen to it again? I can hear the influence on so many bands I love. But there’s something so overbearing and crushing in this. Natural’s Not In It? I love that song. I don’t know if I want to listen to it again though. I have really mixed feelings. 4 stars why not

Is this a Clash-esque band? Kind of, I felt like, only less interesting. Does it sound like something from 1979? No way. Would I listen again? Meh...probably not.

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

Good vibes, again not my cup of tea but I appreciate it for what it is.

Man, what da heeeeelllll is this album cover? I have no idea what to expect from this. Oh, more British punk. I’ve never been a punk guy, and I think the ship where I could have become one is already far out at sea. In any case, I’ll try to be open minded. Maybe this album could cause me to start paddling after the cruiseliner. A pretty standard punk album all things considered, though maybe this one was ahead of the pack. I’m still not a fan of the jittery, offputting sound and sickly vocals of these albums, but I’ve heard far worse from the genre. There’s nothing in here which really sticks out to me, though there are some alright bits. I like the funky sound of “Not Great Men”. “I Found That Essence Rare” is alright. The songwriting is pretty solid and I, again, appreciate the breakneck instrumental. “At Home He’s a Tourist” has some some competent songwriting. Gonna consult the book for this one. “...groundbreaking sound is due to the tight funk rhythms”. Very left-wing, though that’s all of punk, really. Wikipedia says this album is a big player in the post-punk movement and has received its fair share of accolades. While I’m not a fan of this album, I can acknowledge that this pick is worthwhile. I cosign.

Love how janky this sounds. Cool album

Funky and punky, a fun listen

This was fine.

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.

I see the genre is described as Post Punk, which pleases me as I always wrongly pocketed the Gang Of Four as just a Punk band, but actually "properly" listening to to this for the 1st time today I now understand they were far much much more than this. I love the rawness of it, but for me it is far more sophisticated than punk music with a lot more depth in every track. Good stuff. Drummer Hugo recently said "A lot of the people who were influenced by us went on to make millions. I wish I had a penny for every song that sounds like ours." - that is so true and somewhat sad and unfair!

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.

I liked this. Nothing complex. Punkish - but doesn't quite get there.

A very well regarded record. I listened 3 times to see if I would agree. Didn't quite get the huge love it gets.

It's a solid punkish rock record. Can't say much more.

No está mal este post-punk new-wavereo.

This is pretty good post-punk music, it's moody and broody just the way it should be. Unfortunately the tracks kind of muddle together. I'm probably a bit tougher on music in genres like this 500+ albums in than I was at the start of this project, but this ranks as very good, not quite great for me.

Helt okej!

Feeling more punk

Gang of Four are one of those bands that I think I should love but I just don't. They've inspired several bands I love and I enjoy punk, post punk and indie rock a lot. However, for me, this album only just about scrapes a four.

Grand.

Would not buy.

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

It's OK, I suppose. I don't really like 70s punk that much, it really just sounds like everything else in this genre from its time. It's a 2.5 star album, it doesn't suck, but it's also not very good.

Surprise another mediocre English rock band.

I thought it was fine and forgettable.

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.

I was introduced to GO4 via their song "I Love A Man in Uniform". This album seems very different from that songs. The tight rhythm section and guitar work is there just a little more raw. Good album.

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

A unique sound. Feels a lot like B-52s and some others. However it didn’t resonate with me. The sound developed from this down the way by other bands, I tend to enjoy more. 4/10 just since it’s not vibing with me

This was edgy and cool. I liked some of the guitar riffs and bass lines. Creative lyrics. Good listen while working out. 3.5/5

Post-punk goodness at its best. A great debut from an often overlooked band. Smart lyrics coupled with sharp edgy sounds. Pouring an extra one out here in honor of bass player Dave Allen who just passed away in April 2025.

This had me sounding like Denzel Washington (Okay, Alright…) Very nice surprise and really enjoyed this. Just felt like some bros picking up some instruments and jamming. 3.5 but rounding up bc it was a pleasant surprise.

I dug this. Punk rock with some funky beats. Could feel the influence on contemporary bands like Strokes, Hives (or is it Vines), etc. Rounding up based on the surprise-factor. 3.5/5

Damaged Goods is an incredible song and the influence of this band is really clear. Its just something i dont see myself coming back to as a full album experience.

Fuck it

Solid late 70s punk. There’s a lot of this on the 1001 list. This is better than most. But still not sure it needs to be included.

Never heard before. Love the guitar riffs on the first song. The singing kinda reminds me of The Talking Heads.

Basic

Pretty listenable punk, not my genre but this I could very much handle

This was new and unfamiliar to me. It was an interesting listen. They remind me of some other artists of this time. Overall, it was an okay album, just not one I'd seek out for myself.

It's like if Flock of Seagulls had a baby with the B52s. Not my jam, very stilted 80s sounds

Pretty good

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.

Best first wave dance-punk album, also the packaging is pretty cool. 8/10

this was super fun to listen too and i dont even understand why also 5.45 is the most british thing ive ever heard and its awesome

Got a bit bored after a while tbh 2

This grew on me. Like a 3.5 if we're being accurate. A couple of songs just...rubbed me the wrong way? For some reason? But yeah, most of the album was neat.

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!

Solid

Punk isn't for me, this was just ok. 2*

Decent post-punk fare from these Brits. I don't know if they stand out any more than The Clash or even non-post punk bands like Madness. *shrug* It's OK. 2.75/5

Snooze fest

Raw and jarring are what come to mind when I try to describe this. I feel like I might enjoy this more if the guitar wasn't hurting my ears. The drum and bass parts sound great. I enjoyed Damaged Goods.

Seminal punk with a few dry spells. Overall quite politically charged and these helped it overall.

I like it. Pretty clean sounding and fun. Good album.

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

Good punk album, as far as punk albums go.

This definitely wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't bad. I feel like it doesn't know what it wants to be. It is VERY funky (which were my favorite aspects), but has some punk aspects, but also some very avante-garde noises. It was definitely interesting. The vocalist bothers me sometimes tho. VERY funky album. Actual....2.5. Liked Songs: "Natural's Not In It" , "Not Great Men" , "Damaged Goods" , "I Found That Essence Rare" , "At Home He's A Tourist" , "5.45"

this was fun and a little silly 3

Tedious at best. Some interesting bass lines being thrown around by all in all not much here that would make someone want to hear this again. Barely worth the first listen.

This must be the inspection for modern Indie bands like Bloc Party, Beirut, etc. interesting sound but only a couple songs like damaged goods and return the gift really did it for me.

SHIT NICE, PUNKY

hmm... interesting i can sense quality, but it was strangely a bit monotonous felt a bit too clean and overthought at times however, second half was much more engaging Best tunes: glass, at home he's a tourist, 5.45, love like anthrax

Naked a/f and a fun listen that's hard to take serious. Anthrax did a version of "Damage". Listening to a vinyl copy, 'cause clicks & pops only add to the raw. It's a 2AM car listen on an open highway in Utah. Liked "Natural's Not In It" & "At Home He's A Tourist"

This isn't quite right for me

it’s fire 4/5

6.5/10

Solid post punk I wish I had more to say

this was really brilliant i enjoyed it a lot

Every song started strong, but ended up being kinda repetitive. I don't regret listening to this album, but I wouldn't listen to it again.

I found this unlistenable. Just seemingly random noise and annoying shouting. I don't like punk much anyway but at least The Clash or The Ramones had some material resembling music

Caustic, angular and weirdly funky. The guitar and vocals contrast so wildly with the rhythm section it creates a bit of magic

Punk rock

Barem jedan post-punk album da liči na muziku. Liči čak i na muziku koju volim. Ali opet mi se ne sviđa.

Type of album I wouldn’t have listened to or appreciated before this project Really punchy record. Enjoyed more than I thought

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.

I had never heard of this band, but I'm a big fan of many of the bands they inspired. Not at all the genre I expected from a 1979 album, but also not the music I fall in love early with, especially on first listen. Great addition to the list. Will probably go back and listen again.

propre de fou

Has a bit of a garage-band-punk-rock sound. Electric when it hits, a bit grating when it doesn’t. There was plenty to enjoy here though, and the lyrics rock. Not sure why but it was giving me some vibes like British version of Cake mashed with Rage Against the Machine.

Silly and noisy in parts, this album is best when the band is all driving together towards their musical goals. They seemed to run out of inspiration halfway through though and the back half of the album was a slog.

Пост-панк с резко звучащими гитарами и долькой фанка, качает

Punchy punk rock that's far too staccato for my taste

So fire Fav song: Ether

Estrambotico Uso potente del bajo Solos extraños

Kinda fun.

I was feeling the album, and digging the vibe and then Damaged Goods came on and I was like, oh heck yeah I know this hit. Super solid British Punk album.

A new album for me, except for 'Damaged Goods' which is a great track. Right up my street, and you can really hear their influence in a lot of great 90's and 00's music like The Hives, Bloc Party etc. Too-ed and fro-ed between 3* and 4* for this one. Probably deserves 4* given the year it came out as I can believe it was very influential, but not quite enough standout songs from two listens to justify it. 7/10

More good basslines and guitar. Overall this was fine. This also reminded me of the Strokes.

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

It’s too hot for music this dissonant.

Liked the lyrics and the sound, but didn't pull me in.

This should be exactly what I like but for some reason it didn't gel with me all that well. Its still good dont get me wrong but I didn't save any tracks and that's weird. I'll have to keep it in the vault for another day. You know sometimes your just not there for it or thinking about other shit and not giving it the time it deserves. I dont think that's what happened but maybe. Maybe the simplicity of it got me but all punk is the born from the same 4 chords. It gets a 3 but it could go higher with repeated listens

British rock 🥴 Vocals are much to be desired, instrumentals were catchy. 2

Ser inspoen andre band he fått frå det, men for alternativ punk for min smak

Virka litt generisk men hørte isje ekstremt godt itte

One of the few English post punk bands I didn't hate. 3.14 star

punk

eh, not my thing

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 enjoyed it, it was very punk, but a little different and a little more rock and roll. The vocals were all punk and had a very traditional vibe with that. But the guitar and drums had a little different flair. Not different enough to be amazing, but not bad.

I especially liked the music. Simplistic guitar, bass, and drums with very little effects. Just raw hard hitting riffs and some great changes. I give the music a 4. But I didn't care for the vocals. The lyrics failed to draw me in and I just didn't care for his vocals. I give the vocals a 2. So average out to a 3 for me.

There’s nothing wrong with this album but I feel like every band from 1979 sounds close to the same: Punkish snarl, claustrophobic drums, funky bass, confrontational noodling guitar that lacks feeling. Gang of Four sounds exactly like the band Television. At least The B-52’s sounded like they were trying to be different that year, even though some of these same elements appear on their first album.

I think my tolerance for post punk music has gone up as a result of this project. Or maybe there are just some albums in that genre I like more than others. At any rate, this was enjoyable enough for one listen through, and the lyrics and instrumenting were good. Solidly in 3 territory for me!

Abrasive, energetic new wave punk music. Love the guitar tones and drumming on this album.

Definitely needs a relisten — great lyrics, good energy, but dissonant, stripped-back, post-punk does not add up to a very enjoyable listen.

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.

one of the best guitar albums of all time. a classic.

This is good (post) punk. For some reason it doesn't really gel with me like some other punk acts do, maybe it misses a bit of the rawest energy or the addictive hooks some punk songs have.

Such great musicianship, interesting and confident, varied and accomplished, sparse but complete (see the melodious in “It’s Her Factory”). Winner of the 1979 Grammy for “Best New York punk band not a punk band from New York”.

This album is dog shit. The title is a lie and the cover is dumb. Worst.band.name.ever. 1001 album worthy: no - 91/168

This is more college me than current me but it was kind of fun and I thought it was alright.

Sounds modern! Surprised the hell out of me. Rock, funk, pop, all-in-one. Cool sounds.

haha yeah

Easy 5 for me.

Not a bad listen. Entertainment! was a different sound than what I've heard over 850 albums. Post-punk usually sounds like post-no-thanks, but Gang of Four made an album that was fun and vibrant within the post-punk genre. Perhaps it was because Gang of Four was ahead of the post-punk wave? The lyrics were interesting and engaging, too.

I will be quick to admit that I was not excited to see some obscure band and album doing some subgenre of punk music. For the most part, that combination has not been a winning one on this project, at least for me. However, I was pleasantly wrong with this one. These guys are clearly punk infused and punk influenced, but there is a dance and funk aspect that permeates across this album that just brings something fresh, unique, and enjoyable. The punk ideology is still present, but with less of a focus on noisy incoherence and more of a focus on having fun. Overall, a surprisingly enjoyable listen!

Punk energy with nu wave soundscapes. Kinda like a sharper and angrier version of the buzzcocks. Instrumentation was groovy and fun, lyrics were a whiff and same with the vocal stylings. I like this, but given the praise this album has recieved I don't quite see it all. Perhaps nostalgia again, but it was alright.

Wow! This is completely new for me, and it instantly caught my ear. I’m really enjoying it. This is why I did this project!

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.

An entire genre defined in album. Solid

Post punk classic, I had this on a multiple copied cassette tape so not the best sound quality but it still grabbed me

good for something i never heard of

I was really groovin' to this. I get why they influenced so many of my favorite bands. I usually demerit based on repetitive-ness, but in this case, I appreciate that they lean into it!

No, thank you

Didn’t do a ton for me but maybe it’s just punk

ehh

I wish I appreciated punk music more because I bet this slaps if you are into that kinda thing

Complete opposite feeling. This sucked

71/100.

This album is a good time. I really liked it.

Never heard of them…and that was a big miss! Great music.

The problem here as I see it, is you can be punk or post-punk or whatever but you do still need good tunes. I found that essence rare (apart from on that track ironically).

Improved over time. Would be good music for a recession. FS: Damaged Goods.

How much 70s post punk is on this list?! I won't lie my heart sank when I saw this but I enjoyed it more than previous outings in the genre. 3/5 didn't mind listening but will never think about it again.

Good vinyl

1.5

I don't know another band that wants to be The Clash or something. I didn't listen to the whole thing through. They're not particularly good at their instruments

-Might listen to again for a better understanding of the album -Not my type of album but has some good songs on it -A bit of a boring listen, especially compared to other albums from that time -Best Songs: Natural's Not In It, Return the Gift -Worst Songs: Not Great Men, I Found That Essence Rare

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.

Punk rock is pretty alright I suppose

Not for me this

This is RIGHT up there with Talking Heads, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Joy Division. How is this not more popular?

First 3 songs were annoying with Not Great Man almost making me turn the album off. Damaged goods was almost good then the rest was bad. I liked no song on this whole album. The whole thing sounds like a teenagers first try at making music. 0/10

Just overall a terrible album. There was not a single song on the album that could be considered decent. I wish the vocalist never picked up a mic.

I actually didn’t dislike this like I thought I would at all. The sound was clearly influential and despite it being a 1979 album, I think you’d guess it was way later if you didn’t know. Tested this on my girlfriend and she said the 90s. The rhythm across the whole album is phenomenal.

Difficult one. Yes, I can see how this could have been 'influential' on all sorts of later artists. One might reasonably argue that this makes it 'important'. I'm not voting on that. I'm voting on how much I like and album and from that standpoint it's a middling 3/5.

Oh, very interesting! Like punk with the edges filed down. Not really what I would pick, but it's easy to see how this was so influential, bridging sounds of the 70s and 80s.

A classic album. One I've enjoyed many times before. Definitely a huge influence on bass forward punk bands like the Minutemen. 4/5 Album 58/1001

I used to associate the Dance Punk genre to the New York scene of the 00's and groups like LCD Soundsystem, but appearently it has been around since the late-70's. However, as dance-y as this is, it doesn't sound anything like its revivalist counterpart, most obviously the lack of electronic instrumentation. Cool album. Key tracks: Natural's Not in It Not Great Men Damaged Goods

Ether 3.7 Natural's Not in It 3.8 Not Great Men 3.6 Damaged Goods 3.7 Return the Gift 3.5 Guns Before Butter 3.6 I Found That Essence Rare 3.8 Glass 3.7 Contract 3.7 At Home He's a Tourist 3.8 5.45 3.8 Anthrax 3.8 Score: 3.708333333

Not for me

Rebellious, dance-y, hella British. Recognized Damaged Goods from the Idles cover, but the OG is way better. Fave song: Damaged Goods

Rated it a 4, but it'd be more like 4.5. Small nitpicks about some songs keeps it from a 5, but this album is incredible The middle of this album from Damaged Goods to Glass is a sweet spot of rowdyness and interesting concepts that the early and later portions of the album didn't really meet again, but are still great songs. This album feels like an interesting in between of what early punk was with glimpses of what post punk would be without the gloomy elements. Once again, amazing album

h: 5.45 c: return the gift

Worth it to add Ether to the playlist, gloriously sampled by Run The Jewels but to be honest, I found it a little bit monotone for the most part. Cool, sure. And I understand why it made the impact it did, building on what punk had started to achieve. But I wanted it to go further and do more cool stuff.

Excellent album. I think if I was a youngster at this point in time I would have been totally into this. Still seems to sound modern and I can see if this was influential. 7.5/10

As soon as I saw this was post-punk, my eyes rolled back in my head because most things described as post punk end up being some nerdcore high synth new wave junk like the Talking Heads. This is not that. This is really just punk. Or maybe a bridge between early punk wave and the skater punk of the early 90s. This is great album full of good tracks that I'll probably listen to again. 4/5.

Great album a notorious influence on the post-punk scene in the early 2000’s.

The bass is always great, and these are fun off the wall songs with good lyrics. This is very close to a 5, but something is holding me back

Gang of Four- Great reference for rock bass tones. I like the melodica when it pops up. The mix and panning are kinda weird like there’s background vocal that pops in and out of my left ear and some of the drums are panned to one side. Some cool stupid noise rock grooves. Sounds like this could have been a big influence on Primus with songs like “he’d send in the army” Could hear a bit of Can’t Stop in Natual’s Not Worth It Not a fan the punk rock vocals. I like the frantic energy and the attitude of the music and the weirdness of it. I like when the drums sound really trashy. Some cool affected guitars too. Hard to describe but I feel like a lot of these 70’s hard rock and punk records must lose something in translation it doesn’t seem heavy enough in the AirPods. Favorites: contract

I dig the energy and attitude but this record kinda fell flat for me. I will probably forget about this one

I respect this album. Love the artwork. What the RHCP wish they were

“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.

Ok

Pfffff... wat duren die flutplaten van rond 1980 toch lang. Veertig minuten zeurgezang en jengelgitaar, veertig minuten van mijn leven die ik nooit meer terug krijg. Als dit nou het eerste album in het genre was dat ik te horen kreeg, was het misschien nog interessant geweest, maar nu ben ik er wel klaar mee. 'Entertainment' wil ik het niet noemen, zogezegd...

De titel is duidelijk. Deze schijf is voor het vermaak bedoeld. Mooi, geen kapsones. Ik neem aan dat vooral gedoeld wordt op het vermaak van de artiesten zelf. Maar als zij plezier in hun werk hebben, dan levert die uitstraling vaak ook een belangrijk deel van het vermaak van het publiek. Zelf heb de 50 minuten is tweeën moeten knippen. Het werd mij toch te eentonig. Als je het in tweeën knipt kan ik er nog wel 2,5 ster aan toekennen.

Over het algemeen kenmerkt punk of postpunk uit Engeland zich door heel veel herrie te maken en dan het liefst zo vals mogelijk. Wat me aan deze muziek gelijk opvalt is de bijzondere drumritmes met daaroverheen aparte baslijntjes en gitaargeluiden. Het is zeker niet hun bedoeling om zoveel mogelijk herrie te maken of zo snel en zo vals mogelijk. Het lijkt meer op een soort kale voorloper van new wave. Het valt me niet tegen. Mijn muzikale makker uit het zuiden vond het wel wat eentonig worden en daar moet ik hem wel gelijk in geven. Het blijft een soort haperende muziek en wil nooit echt lekker losgaan, afgezien misschien van "I Found That Essence Rare", een van de betere nummers. En dat heeft voornamelijk met de drums te maken denk ik. Zeg ik als muziekluisteraar en niet als muzikant, want dat ben ik niet. Ik lees slechts wikipagina's voor, ik zou zo dj bij K!NK kunnen worden. Blijft er voor deze bende van vier geen vier sterren over, maar een redelijke 3 sterretjes.

Mixed response to this one. Like the energy alot, not a huge fan of the lead vocal. Probably would give it 3.5 if I could, but not quite a four.

There is nothing special about this that would make me want to listen to it again over any other album in this genre

Haven't heard of them before, not bad, better than the majority of Brit-post-punk on here.

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

Never heard of them before but really enjoyed the music

This was a solid album. As a RHCP fan, I could definitely hear the influences, I wasn't impressed by any particular song, but the overall vibe was great.

Never heard this before, but loved it, mainly because it made me want to dance and jump around. I feel like it sits nicely between The Clash and Adam and the Ants' Dirk Wears White Sox. A punk energy, but a very pop sensibility if you ask me, and there's nothing wrong with that. The wondrous basslines nearly secured it a fifth star, but I found tracks 10 and 11 (out of what I think are the original 12) less appealing.

Interesting early punk with some funny lyrics. Not very diverse; songs sound very similar

Love post punk now thanks to the list

Ok sound. Clash vibe.

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.

Post punk, this could be good. 4 solid stars.

Amazing

This is everything great about post-punk: fatalistic political ideas wrapped in catchy and accessible tunes without ever straying into pretentiousness. In that sense, it's everything that The Libertines we just listened to wishes it could be. A star among stars which particularly stood out to me: the bass work. It's a character on every track and feels very familiar as someone who has listened to a lot of punk past this era, which I guess says something about its influence.

Punk music seemingly about the tedium of everyday life. Some fun grooves, and a bit of experimentation with sound, but not much here to excite. I’d take the Clash any day. Two stars for me ⭐️ ⭐️

Nothing to write home about.

Incredible album. Went to a protest today. This was my album. Delightful synchronicity.

Brilliant post punk, but it sounded awful in the car. I think the production is very thin and tinny. Otherwise, I’ve always wanted this on vinyl and I still do.

Seminal post-punk that that works well. Philosophically-heavy lyrics. Evident that this influenced Rage Against The Machine and other major artists. "Damaged Goods", "Return The Gift", "At Home He's a Tourist"

Too loud @ raw

I think that I Found That Essence Rare is going to live in my head for quite some time, without even having the courtesy to pay rent. This was great to be fair, very spiky but melodic, a bit brooding, a bit danceable. Top stuff.

Hmmm.. lots of noisy, unstructured guitar making it difficult to really get into. In the end, it kind of became a chunk of background noise. Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy it despite giving it a chance. 3/10.