new Gang of Four

I'm listening to an advance of the new Gang of Four. It's not nearly as abrasive or provocative as the original run, which is no surprise, I'm sure. But it's not bad, either - basically groovy, melodic postpunk. If this was a new, young band, I'd think they were on to something really exciting.

Of course, as soon as I finish typing the above, a song comes on that's noisy and angry. Still not the same as the olden days, but the band's still got some piss & vinegar.

I have heard a couple of the new tracks and didn't dislike them. My initial impression is that their new songs sounded great superficially but lacked much substance. The guitars sound fabulous but the basslines and rhythms are generic and the lyrics dont add much. Today I see my college roomie, Jon Dolan (with whom I used to listen to Entertainment continuously) gave it 2.5 stars in RS, and concluded "It's anti-capitalist mainly because you won't enjoy owning it." Too bad. I fear, these blokes shot their wad around 1982.

"Despite their Maoist fascinations and anger-is-an-energy fervor, Gang of Four were always less interested in smashing storefronts than in exploring the anxiety of consumerism-- how a culture obsessed with status and acquisition reduces personal interaction to a transactional experience. And they did so not out of scorn for those who fuel the capitalist machine, but to acknowledge their own complicity in it."

Yeah, what he said......

Yup. How to balance complaining about product by becoming one. The age-old question: What to do for leisure?

I haven't heard the whole thing yet, just stuff off their website, but musically it's just okay, and lyrically, they can't quite hit the mark anymore. They're trying too hard. Putting theory into practice and being interesting is a hell of a lot harder than just theory. For that difference, see the gulf between Entertainment and Hard.

Hey!
I saw them last night and they were absolutely sensational. If they're coming your way, don't miss them.

I had the pleasure of seeing the original quartet on its 2005 tour. The Gang was spellbinding that night: tight, focused and not missing a drop of its musical potency. I couldn't have sat down during that set even if I'd wanted to try. As for the new stuff, well ... I think Go4 is just one of those bands where the original, "classic" line-up really is the best.