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Gang of Four

Gang of Four Album: “Return the Gift [Japan]”

Gang of Four Album: “Return the Gift [Japan]”
Album Information :
Title: Return the Gift [Japan]
Release Date:2005-10-13
Type:Unknown
Genre:New Wave, Old School Punk Rock, Alternative Rock
Label:V2
Explicit Lyrics:Yes
UPC:4520227001414
Track Listing :
1 .
1 .
2 .
2 .
3 . Naturals Not in It
3 . Naturals Not in It
4 .
4 .
5 .
5 .
6 .
6 .
7 .
7 .
8 .
8 .
9 .
9 .
10 . Hed Send in the Army
10 . Hed Send in the Army
11 . Capital
11 . Capital
12 .
12 .
13 . At Home Hes a Tourist
13 . At Home Hes a Tourist
14 .
14 .
15 . To Hell with Poverty - Go Home Productions Remix
15 . To Hell with Poverty - Go Home Productions Remix
16 . Natural's Not in It - Ladytron Remodel
16 . Natural's Not in It - Ladytron Remodel
17 . I Love a Man in a Uniform - Yeah Yeah Yeahs Remix
17 . I Love a Man in a Uniform - Yeah Yeah Yeahs Remix
18 . Ether - Into the Ether Tony Kanal Remix
18 . Ether - Into the Ether Tony Kanal Remix
19 . At Home Hes a Tourist - The Others Remix
19 . At Home Hes a Tourist - The Others Remix
20 . Not Great Men - Phones Extended Version
20 . Not Great Men - Phones Extended Version
21 . Anthrax - Faultline Remix
21 . Anthrax - Faultline Remix
22 . Damaged Goods - Hot Hot Heat Remix
22 . Damaged Goods - Hot Hot Heat Remix
23 . Why Theory? - Amusement Parks on Fire Remix
23 . Why Theory? - Amusement Parks on Fire Remix
24 . Naturals Not in It - Repackaged by the Rakes
24 . Naturals Not in It - Repackaged by the Rakes
25 . At Home Hes a Tourist - The Others Alternate Mix
25 . At Home Hes a Tourist - The Others Alternate Mix
26 . What We All Want - Dandy Warhols Mix
26 . What We All Want - Dandy Warhols Mix
27 . Hed Send in the Army - Melvins Remix
27 . Hed Send in the Army - Melvins Remix
28 . Naturals Not in It - Tied Remix
28 . Naturals Not in It - Tied Remix
Review - :
Why let others reheat your back catalog when you can do it yourself? Maybe that's one of the questions {$Gang of Four} asked themselves before recording {^Return the Gift}, a self-tribute album involving re-recordings of their earliest and best work. While the reunion of the original members synched up with the popularity of several bands that were appropriating some of their ideas, one of the greater music-related motivators behind this release was...wait for it...correcting the drum sound. Drummer {$Hugo Burnham} likened the drum sound on those releases to that of cardboard boxes, and some of the other members seemed to harp on it as well, in addition to regretting that the records never reflected their live sound, despite the nagging specters of greater imperfections in their past. To pick one imperfection out of thin air, the sound of 1991's {^Mall} -- the entire thing, not just the drums or the awkward {$Bob Marley} cover -- can be likened to a deflating whoopie cushion. More crucially, there has rarely been any dispute about the magnificence of the 1979-1982 releases, so it's not as if thousands, or hundreds, or even dozens of {$Gang of Four} freaks spent the past 20 years pining for something like {^Return the Gift}. But here it is anyway, and it's very loud, and it comes across like a mostly live album played in an empty meat locker. Like {$Wire} (who re-recorded old material as well, but released it in a very limited form and then went on to make an album of new songs), the early-2000s version of {$Gang of Four} is more caustic than ever. There are moments when the band seems as temperamental and charged as a downed power line. {$Burnham}'s drums do have greater presence, but that correction is evened out by some stiffness on everyone's part. While {$Gang of Four} once thrived on a form of willful stiffness, they remained supremely limber, which is something that doesn't translate as much here -- it's not hard to imagine the band recording these versions in a cold room while wearing restrictive winter clothing. (Alright, being 25 years older might have something to do with the decreased agility.) One thing that remains unchanged, to no surprise whatsoever, is the enduring vitality of the material. The songs, concerning the politics of both self and societal interest, make as much sense today as they did when they were originally recorded and released. They also contain some of the most startling sounds you will ever hear. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
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