Gang Of Four

77-81 MATADOR. LP

Contributing to a beefy book packed with commentary, memorabilia and testimonies from admirers including Pylon, R.E.M., Mission Of Burma and Henry Rollins, Steve Albini muses that Gang Of Four “were equally committed to two principles: one, capitalism is a toxin… and two, it’s your turn to get a round of drinks.” Over remastered versions of their first two

albums, the critical

Entertainment! and the still-fiery Solid Gold, plus a singles LP, the double vinyl Live At American

Indian Center 1980 and a C90 cassette(!) of contemporary demos and outtakes, the duality remains acute, as their funked up agitpunk continues to ask the hard questions while the do-itnow sounds – Andy Gill’s stuttering, scything guitar remains a thing of wonder – raise the hairs on your neck. As the group, who dedicate this box to fallen comrade Gill, say themselves, they were never better than this.

Ian Harrison