Gang Of Four - 'Songs of the Free'/'Hard' Profile
by Anthony Strutt
published: 22 / 8 / 2008
intro
Anthony Strutt examines Gang Of Four's third album from 1982, ‘Songs of the Free’, and fourth album from 1983, ‘Hard’, both of which have been recently reissued
The Gang of Four’s third album from 1982, ‘Songs of the Free’, and fourth album from 1983, ‘Hard’, are finally remastered onto CD for the first time. The Gang of Four are a big influence as they married a post punk sound to a dance element. Sadly ‘Hard’, which isn't hard at all, is one of the worst albums of that period that I have ever heard, but ‘Songs of the Free’ stands up well. It combines catchy tunes of post punk reference with big chunks of slap bass, the latter of which was the band’s signature. Jon King’s vocals sound like a mix of Pete Wylie and Phil Oakey, but he carries it off well. ‘Muscles for Brain' has a touch of David Bowie's ‘Golden Years’, while ‘Love A Man in a Uniform’ sounds a lot like the Human League's ‘Don't You Want Me Baby’. ‘Life, It is a Shame’ recalls the Scouse pop of the era, and bands such as the Icicle Works or even a pre-ZTT Frankie goes to Hollywood. ‘The History of the World’ is as Gothic as ‘Faith’-era Cure and has the flow of the Chameleons or a funky PIL. ‘Songs of the Free’ is definitely worth a purchase.
Band Links:-
http://gangoffour.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/gangoffourofficial
https://twitter.com/gangof4official
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2016) |
Andy Gill, frontman, co-founder and only remaining original member of British post-punk band, the Gang of Four, speaks to Lisa Torem about new multi-media project ‘Live..In The Moment’ as well as his vast experience as a producer, guitarist and arranger |
live reviews |
Borderline, London, 12/4/2019 |
Adrian Janes watches influential post-punk the Gang of Four in a show at the Borderline in London play a fiery set to promote their new album 'Happy Now'. |
Metro, Chicago, 30/9/2016 |
Macbeth,London, 24/8/2009 |
reviews |
Live…In the Moment (2016) |
Praiseworthy new live CD/DVD from seminal UK post-punk outfit, the Gang of Four |
Second Life/Paralysed (2008) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsWorld Party - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Steve Harley - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Ruts - Life After Death ? : A Profile
Leprous - Photoscapes
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewRod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Marika Hackman - Big Sigh
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
related articles |
Gary Numan: Live Review (2014 |
In front of an exuberant crowd, Adrian Janes watches 80's icon Gary Numan, with the reformed Gang of Four as support, perform a brooding but electrifying show at the Hammersmith Apollo in London |
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart