Gang Of Four – Entertainment! – 1979 (2014 Remaster)

Label: Parlophone
Cat No.: Parlophone – EMC 3313, Parlophone – 2564629702
Format: Vinyl (2014 reissue)
Matrix/Stampers: Hand Etched – BE47893-01 A1 0825646297023-01, BE47893-01 B1 0825646297023-01
Remastered By: Andy Gill and Jon King. Sleeve Design: Jon King and Cream

Few albums have left a mark on post-punk quite like Entertainment! by Gang of Four. More than just a debut, it was a manifesto—an incendiary blend of jagged guitars, taut rhythms, and razor-sharp political commentary. While punk had flirted with chaos and anarchy, Entertainment! took a different approach, dissecting capitalism, consumerism, and alienation with a level of precision rarely seen in contemporary music. In the UK, only Billy Bragg would later take up a similar mantle with such conviction.

From the opening bars of Ether, the album is unrelenting. Andy Gill’s guitar slashes through the mix with stark, angular precision, while the rhythm section—tight, propulsive, and danceable—drives each track forward with mechanical intensity. Songs like Damaged Goods, I Found That Essence Rare, and At Home He’s a Tourist are ferocious, bristling with nervous energy and a sense of urgency that refuses to wane.

The album’s influence is immeasurable, shaping not just contemporaries like Wire but later generations, from the experimental textures of Moonshake to the taut, rhythmic intensity of Slint. Tracks like Guns Before Butter and Contract hinted at a more experimental direction although the gnarly dance punk of the follow up Solid Gold was widely thought to be a reflection of the band’s tour of America. Songs of the Free (1982) taking on an ever so slightly more poppy flavour.

Gang of Four’s trajectory was anything but straightforward. Lineup changes, periods of inactivity, and reinventions followed, with Andy Gill as the one constant force. The original lineup briefly reunited between 2004 and 2006, but by 2012, Gill was the sole remaining member, leading the band until his passing in 2020.

In 2021, Jon King revived the project, enlisting original drummer Hugo Burnham, former bassist Sara Lee, and Slint guitarist David Pajo. With new material and a revitalized live presence, Gang of Four continues to evolve, currently touring across the USA, Canada, the UK, and Europe. More details can be found at Matador Records.

For those looking to experience Entertainment! in its purest form, the heavyweight 2014 reissue is essential. Expertly pressed, it serves as a potent reminder of the album’s timeless urgency—an explosive revalidation of its original impact.

4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5

*Footnote – Shortly after this piece was published we learned of the death of co-founding member and bassist Dave Allen aged 69. Rest in peace Dave, your legacy will continue to influence and endure.