Gang Of Four - 'Songs of the Free'/'Hard' Profile

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 22 / 8 / 2008




Gang Of Four - 'Songs of the Free'/'Hard' Profile

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





Article

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/gangoffouroff
https://twitter.com/gangof4official


Picture Gallery:-

Gang Of Four - 'Songs of the Free'/'Hard' Profile


Gang Of Four - 'Songs of the Free'/'Hard' Profile



Post A Comment


Check box to submit




Interviews


Interview (2016)
Gang Of Four - Interview
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
Gang Of Four - 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


Digital Downloads




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






Most Viewed Reviews




Related Articles


Gary Numan: Live Review (2014
Gary Numan - Gary Numan/Gang of Four - Hammersmith Apollo, London, 28/11/2014
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