Gang of Four — Entertainment!
Author: tracysigler | Posted: May 25th, 2006 | | Tags: 1979, Gang of Four, music, postpunk, vinyl | 1 Comment »
- Artist: Gang of Four
- Title: Entertainment!
- Year: 1979
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 10
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: ? Just glad to have it.
- Keeper: Yes
The problem of leisure
What to do for pleasure
Ideal love a new purchase
A market of the senses
Dream of the perfect life…
Those are the first five lines of “Natural’s Not In It” from “Entertainment!”, Gang of Four’s debut album. I read a quote by Bono where he describes Andy Gill’s lyrics as “…a smart bomb of text that had me ‘at home feeling like a typist.'” The latter part of that sentence is, of course, a pun referring to the song “At Home He Feels Like a Tourist” which is also on this album. That song is an all-time favorite of mine, although I like almost every song on this record just as much. It’s just that good.
I never got to see them live in their prime, but I did go stand outside a small club in Virginia Beach to hear the muffled songs rumble through the concrete walls at one Gang of Four show. It was tragic, but I was an under-age teenager and couldn’t get inside. They’re just that good.
If you’re not familiar with the band, know that they are definitely one of the most important “rock” bands ever and have influenced more artists than you would believe.
A very interesting article about “Entertainment!”, including its packaging, at Wikipedia.
[…] “Solid Gold” is the second full album by Gang of Four. Of course, I love it, but not as much as “Entertainment.” It seems like all of the same ingredients are there, but it just doesn’t excite me as much. A couple of the songs were previously released on the “Yellow EP.” My favorite track is “What We All Want.” […]