Gang Of Four.

Gosh, I feel for you, Phil, but really there's only so many times I can play that bit on my CD player before I figure "fuck it, this groove is the shit, let's just play the song". Maybe some Britishers can help us? Are you British Phil? Is that our problem?

Okay but I've listened to it again now and I'm convinced it's not "couplings". The ending syllable necessary for that just isn't there. There's not even a "P" sound. Goddamnit Britishers help us?!

Yes Bimble. I'm as British as Noel Coward flying a Spitfire over the white cliffs of Dover (to the sound of Elgar).

I think the word "mornings" is correct. It's the last two syllables really. It's quite frustrating, as it sounds like it there should be a great lyric in there.

But yes, I just love the way this song starts with a few syncopated metallic chops, and then just hits this awesome driving gear, like some monster truck, and then the energy dissipates into unsyncopated metallic chops, which then get themselves together rhythm-wise, for the next awesome slam on the pedal.

It's one of the most satisfying experiences in this thing we call "rock".

Hahah. Crikey! You must be a music writer with talk like that! ;)

V. happy you're British, though, at least we've got that angle on this lyric covered.

But Phil, I hate to say it but I'm not going to lose sleep over it if we can't figure out this lyric. The song is so fucking good, dude. In the end, it doesn't matter one jot.

My job is way more interesting than music writing. As for the '4, I shall no doubt continue my quest alone.....

I adore the first 3 Go4 albums as well as a couple of later tracks but I've gotta stand up for _Shrinkwrapped_. It's a stormer of an album (aside from a couple of Andy's spoken word tracks that kinda disrupt the flow) highlighted by "I Parade Myself" which stands with the first 3 albums.

No discussion about _Return The Gift_? I must admit I couldn't understand the purpose of rerecording material that was already perfect but some folks think it surpassed the originals.

Well I'm surprised you're not a music writer, Phil, for I think what you've written here about this song is really cool and talented. I know *I* couldn't have written that.

Mr. Odd! You're going to stand up for Shrinkwrapped! That's wonderful! We are on the same team, mate! No one ever seems to stick up for that one. I agree "I Parade Myself" is the best thing on that.

I still haven't heard Return The Gift.

I have bits of RTG from emusic, its pretty good.

anyone else think the versions of the songs on the damaged goods ep are preferable to the ones on the album? they sound more vital and less practised. the production is a lot less neat too.

Oh loads, no doubt. I also prefer the single version of "At home he feels like a tourist" (less overdubs)

Huh, I never knew the single version of Tourist was different! Is it available on CD anywhere?

I too appreciate the Damaged Goods EP. "Armalite Rifle" in particular - I love the production of that.

Gang of Two

Allen & Burham leave

http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/index.php

This is when I tip my hat to the ilxor who put "I Parade Myself" in his top "11 songs of the moment, fuck" or whatever thread that was. I listened to that song and the title track from "Shrinkwrapped" this week at work and I thought I was either going to levitate into the air or kick the shit out of anyone who bothered me in my headphones. I tried to sing quietly. That shit is lethal. Just fucking lethal.

Miss you, Bimble. Peace.

So.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107280105973132&index=1

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/gangoffour

Don’t just listen to Gang Of Four’s new album - Be part of its launch

Greetings from London.

We’re emerging blinking into the light after many months locked in Andy’s studio, clutching Gang of Four’s new album: Content. Later this summer you’ll be able to buy it on download or CD. But we’re offering weirder and more wonderful options to a limited number of GO4 aficionados. What about taking a helicopter trip to this summer’s Glastonbury Festival with us? Or you might enjoy a listen to our first ever gig (recorded in Leeds in May 1977), provided to you on a cassette inside a Walkman individually decorated by Andy and Jon. A private view of an exhibition of GO4 art combined with a gig in London’s ICA this June are just some of the other possibilities.

We’re also starting a ‘Pledgers Only Updates’ page where we’ll share videos, gigs, conversations, demos, rough mixes, previously unreleased songs from the archives, and also words and photos.

A share of any profits from pledges will go to Amnesty International http://www.amnesty.org.uk/ who campaign for internationally recognised human rights for all, and Plan International http://plan-international.org/ who promote child rights to end child poverty.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Andy Jon Mark Thomas

'Content' on CD £10 - 350 left
T-Shirt + Signed Standard CD £15 - available
New Album Artwork T-Shirt £17 - 200 left
Signed CD + Jon's Spotify Playlist of the week £22 - 10 left
Signed & numbered rare white label vinyl copy of album £30 - 240 left
Box of 4 re-issue badges + Signed CD £35 - 50 left
Vinyl Version Of The Record Cut Live At Metropolis Studio £35 - 250 left
Ultimate Content Can - Signed & Numbered £45 - available
Question and Answer / Discussion Evening £50 - 80 left
GoF Concert & Historical Exhibition - Private View £55 - 240 left
Signed CD + Hand written lyric sheet £55 - 25 left
Signed & numbered rare white label vinyl + lyrics £65 - 10 left
Acknowledgment for sponsoring the recording of 'Content' £75 - 100 left
Raw Footage from our US tour £100 - 10 left
£100 bundle - Private View, Ultimate Content Can & T-Shirt £100 - 50 left
Laminate - entrance to any GoF show in 2010 / 2011! £125 - 30 left
The Lost Cassette - GoF first ever show in cassette Walkman £175 - 20 left
Album playback in London studio £190 - 5 left
Lyric Clinic £250 - 5 left
Authentically damaged signed guitar £450 - 2 left
Helicopter - Home to London After Glasto With GoF £950 - 4 left
Helicopter - London To Glasto With GoF £950 - 4 left
Andy Gill mixes your track £1,500 - 3 left

How about that.

This is when I tip my hat to the ilxor who put "I Parade Myself" in his top "11 songs of the moment, fuck" or whatever thread that was. I listened to that song and the title track from "Shrinkwrapped" this week at work and I thought I was either going to levitate into the air or kick the shit out of anyone who bothered me in my headphones. I tried to sing quietly. That shit is lethal. Just fucking lethal.

― Sacriligiously Dead (Bimble), Saturday, May 23, 2009 11:32 PM (10 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

That was me, Bimble. Love you.

So, wait, is the new album available now for donors?

I see many bands going this route, which I think is cool, and a nice way to support your favorite artist and make sure the money goes straight to their pocket. But the irony of GO4 doing it is not lost.

So, wait, is the new album available now for donors?

I can't quite tell. I will not be donating for this launch. I will be acquiring the album on my own and possibly donating $10 to Amnesty International on my own.

I see many bands going this route, which I think is cool, and a nice way to support your favorite artist and make sure the money goes straight to their pocket. But the irony of GO4 doing it is not lost.

Irony is Gang of Four's very raison d'etre, I believe.

(Please shoot me for writing "raison d'etre" kthxbye)

Newsflash-Gang of Four don't like Radio 4 so much

― Morley Timmons (Donna Brown), Monday, May 9, 2005 4:24 AM (4 years ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
haha, are you going to spill the beans and tell the people why, Ms. Timmons?

― donut debonair (donut), Monday, May 9, 2005 4:26 AM (4 years ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Let's hear it, Miss Brown or Mr. Donut. This is relevant to my interests.

Even with some lyrics that were kind of undercooked and/or cod-marxist (and others that were flat-out brilliant), Gang of Four were and still are primarily about violent contradictions, expressed performatively (sonically in a multitude of ways, in their "career moves", etc.) as well as discursively; and that, for me, is why they fucking rule all hell, even now when by all logic and history they should not, the fact that they can still BRING IT onstage being merely the evidence. Let us give them lots of 2005 American money. The end.

― box of socks, Sunday, May 22, 2005 6:33 PM (4 years ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

That was me. I still think this.

Judging by the band's recent Tweets, they have been recording within the last few weeks so I doubt it is in the can just yet.

They just finished it, per Gill's tweet of March 31:

"think i have just finished the mix. it's spare, true, very odd, magical and political"

Scared now.

Re: "Shrinkwrapped" love, count me in on it. I also echo John D's thoughts

Songs of the Free is utterly, utterly great. Hated by all GoF fans on its release. Visionary in its post-punk-as-synth-popisms.

And I've got time for a few tracks from "Hard", especially "Is It Love".

Very excited to hear the new stuff. They released a single called "Second Life" a couple of years ago which was great.

I love in "Anthrax" that bit where the two opposing voices suddenly come into sync with "...beetle on its back". i used to simulate the same effect by watching a hockey game while simultaneously listening to the same game on the radio. The two commentators would be talking indecipherable gibberish, but every now and then they'd both say something like "...cleared but not out!" at the very same time.

Haven't heard "Second Life." I was told that it wasn't all that, and I didn't want to hear anything that might disappoint.

I loved Songs of the Free -- not as much as Entertainment!, but I REALLY dug it. Bought it the day it came out IIRC.

I don't love Shrinkwrapped but I can get into "I Parade Myself" with a vengeance. "Tattoo" is aight too. The rest, meh.

I have 0 time for anything from Hard. *shudder*

That bit from "Anthrax" DID MY HEAD IN in 1982.

gang of four in wii commercial

I was all fuuuuuuuuu and my girlfriend was like so what

"the problem, with leisure, what to do, for--PLAY X-BOX

It's actually Microsoft Kinect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWiCu3zT4mE&feature=related

and it's that song

renounce all sin and vice (city)

This x-box gives me migraine

armalite console

So is this perhaps the single most ironic promotional use of a song since Reagan campaigned on Born in the USA?

I was all fuuuuuuuuu and my girlfriend was like so what

― puff puff post (uh oh I'm having a fantasy), Tuesday, November 2, 2010 11:43 AM (10 hours ago) Bookmark

this ^

^^^ pair of fuckin cash sittas up in this

Full album stream of Connect, on NPR.

You mean "Content". I'm still processing it, it feels like it's missing something.

It's missing hooks (my first listen appraisal). It wants to be old-school Gang of 4, but it's not.

renounce all sin and vice (city)

― am0n, Tuesday, November 2, 2010 6:37 PM (2 months ago) Bookmark

lol

I've been listening to Entertainment and Solid Gold a few times in the past few weeks. The production puts it in it's time, but the tunes are just as fresh now as they were 30 years ago. I've always thought that "What We All Want" was the prototype for a whole lot of 90s rock.

Doug Carrion who was the bassist at one point in both The Decendants and Dag Nasty was the guy who tuned me onto the Gang of Four working at a record store in Bloomington way back around 1990.

Listening to it on NPR: strong first track, second's more of a slog, some other tedious sections of some other tracks, but could be a killer EP, at least. The other voices are always welcome, and should be used more often, but King shows no vocal strain, and as long as the whole thing's not too lyrics-centric, and the guitar gets to shape the groove, it works, as in days of yore. But speaking of days of yore, check their BBC sessions, those grabbed me even more than Entertainment.

PS: Content has a stronger finish than start, always appreciated.

Admittedly I'd had a few ales officer, but I was listening to the album (not the stream, streams are horrible) last night and thought it was sounding pretty good. It's kind of a given that they're not going to ever top their early stuff, but I was actually enjoying it more than the new Wire...

I think the ales have impaired your judgement. The new Wire is far, far better than the new Gang Of Four, and I lurve both of them to death but _Content_ just doesn't deliver consistently. The opener and closer and "Pay For The Farm" are the only ones that stick in my head.

I reviewed Content for BurningAmbulance.com, and Dave Allen got in touch with me on Twitter to tell me how much he agreed with my criticisms of the record.

Good review, it explains what I hear. The funny thing is, they put out a single a couple of years ago, "Second Life" which included Dave Allen on the recording or at least in the development, and it's an ace tune. Ah well.

Without going back to compare to the brand name's prime time product, I still think the best tracks stand on their own, and the worst tracks fall on their own (fairly clunky rhythm section,yeah). Not surprising departed Dave wouldn't agree, though.

x-post

Unperson, agree with you re Content but then at the end you say that Gill and King did not need this one to pay their rent--- are you their accountant? Or were you speaking metaphorically, or do you know how much they got from the x-box commercial and other things?