Published on Dec 28, 1997
One of the many resources I enjoy reading regarding music, are
books that feature the best albums by rock reviewers and/or rock
DJs around the world.
One such book is Paul Gambaccini’s
Critics Choice: The Top 100 Rock ‘N’ Roll Albums Of All
Time. This book was printed in 1987, and his previous book was
written 10 years earlier. (Hey, 1997 is here and soon to pass.
Shouldn’t we be seeing a third edition soon?) Browsing through the
many albums in this edition’s Top 100, there are the usual choices;
the ones that every record collector must have. And the others are
albums you may have never heard of, and out of curiousity, you’re
anxious to hear them, and see why such an album is so great to be
included in the Top 100.
One album is Gang of Four’s
Entertainment!, ranking in at #41. Well, to my listening
ears, this album is anything but. It seems that a lot of the
participants involved in the 1987 edition of Mr. Gambaccini’s book
are lovers of punk rock. Don’t get me wrong, punk rock is enjoyable
to listen to. Of course, there are many bands who go a little over
the limit in this area of music. The Sex Pistols come to mind; they
are (in my opinion) better than Gang of Four.
Formed in 1977, Gang of Four is a band from Leeds, England,
featuring the vocals of Jon King. Their sound is probably compared
to the early Clash. The first two songs, “Ether” and “Natural’s Not
In It” are least (to say) listenable tunes. “Return The Gift” is
another tune where you can take it or leave it. The changes in the
song are off-balance, the guitar solo is annoying at times. “Guns
Before Butter”, like many of the songs on this album, is of
social/political comment. (Hey, didn’t The Clash write songs like
that too?) Again, the song does get annoying, music sounding wise.
“Glass” contains vocals that sounds distracting. “Contract” starts
out ok, but it goes through so many changes, it throws you off, a
whole lot…
The beginning of “Anthrax” is all guitar feedback, which reminds
me of Chicago’s “Free Form Guitar” from their debut album, entitled
Chicago Transit Authority. “Anthrax” combines punk rock with
metal. The punk rock sound is defintely there throughout the song,
the feedback is the metal part. Don’t turn this one up too loud,
you could definitely lose your hearing, if you haven’t done so
already.
Of all of the tunes, I decided to pick out the ones that are
somewhat listenable. (I had to choose some songs that I somewhat
liked!). “Not Great Men” is bouncy. “Damaged Goods” is true
Clash-ish punk, and somewhat B-52s sounding in the break. “I Found
That Essence Rare” has potential, so does “5.45”.
This album features “At Home He’s A Tourist,” which is the
group’s best-known song (according to Gambacccini’s book). The
guitar solos are unique. They can be distracting, but it makes the
song work, in a way. Again, it has some music changes, and it’s
moments.
The CD version contains the 4-song
Yellow EP. “Outside The Trains Don’t Run On Time” has vocals
compared to The B-52s’ Fred Schneider. It’s just the way the vocals
sound. “He’d Send In The Army” is also compared to Schneider, but
it is more instrumental. “It’s Her Factory” isn’t that bad. The
music works in this one, and the vocals are low-keyed. Lastly,
“Armalite Rifle” is another least listenable tune.
Throughout the reviews of each song, I’ve mentioned the word
dealing with “change” in their tunes. On that topic, one thing is
certain about Gang of Four: This band goes through constant
changing of musical structures in their songs. It’s not your common
“verse(s), chorus, verse(s).” It threw me off a lot. Maybe that’s
what makes punk rock, likewise Gang of Four themselves, so
unique.
For the devoted punk rock fan, maybe this album is for you. If
you’re a devoted fan of The Clash, this album may also be the one
for you. It’s a little harder-edged than The Clash, but it is
definitely punk rock, in its own right.
My rating is of very low caliber, maybe it’s because punk rock
is not on top of my personal list in the many different styles of
music. Or maybe because of the band’s constant changes of musical
structure. Some may argue (like the ones who rated it in
Gambaccini’s book) and say that this is album is great; maybe not
as great as a
Sgt. Pepper’s (I doubt if it could get THAT close). But to
others, (like me), they just disagree.