Public Image Limited

[Dr. Medulla]

I honestly had higher hopes after hearing Poptones a month ago. I guess I was hoping for more “dub”. It’s solid, maybe a little underwhelming and not a world changer but a cool listen nonetheless.

I think that's fair if you were expecting a deeper dub approach (as, you know, the subtitle of the record indicates). Kind of suggests that Wobble has been pigeonholed, even by himself, with the dub tag.

[Dr. Medulla]

Say, Marky, you never weighed in on Wobble's re-recording. I'm listening to it right now and just in awe of what a groovy work-out it is. It reinforces what a remarkable feat it was in 1979, that it can be reworked (but not radically) and sound so damned contemporary yet also out of time.

[Marky Dread]

Say, Marky, you never weighed in on Wobble's re-recording. I'm listening to it right now and just in awe of what a groovy work-out it is. It reinforces what a remarkable feat it was in 1979, that it can be reworked (but not radically) and sound so damned contemporary yet also out of time.

I've had the cd about 3 weeks now. It's still sealed in a pile of about 50 other new cds I've yet to listen to. I will try and play it tomorrow. I have over 600 plus cds yet to play. I often buy stuff and don't listen until months after purchase.

I'll report back tomorrow.

[Dr. Medulla]

Say, Marky, you never weighed in on Wobble's re-recording. I'm listening to it right now and just in awe of what a groovy work-out it is. It reinforces what a remarkable feat it was in 1979, that it can be reworked (but not radically) and sound so damned contemporary yet also out of time.

I've had the cd about 3 weeks now. It's still sealed in a pile of about 50 other new cds I've yet to listen to. I will try and play it tomorrow. I have over 600 plus cds yet to play. I often buy stuff and don't listen until months after purchase.

I'll report back tomorrow.

Heh, you’re like a besieged radio DJ. Can’t break the hits if you don’t hear ‘em, Wolfman!

[Marky Dread]

Say, Marky, you never weighed in on Wobble's re-recording. I'm listening to it right now and just in awe of what a groovy work-out it is. It reinforces what a remarkable feat it was in 1979, that it can be reworked (but not radically) and sound so damned contemporary yet also out of time.

I've had the cd about 3 weeks now. It's still sealed in a pile of about 50 other new cds I've yet to listen to. I will try and play it tomorrow. I have over 600 plus cds yet to play. I often buy stuff and don't listen until months after purchase.

I'll report back tomorrow.

Heh, you’re like a besieged radio DJ. Can’t break the hits if you don’t hear ‘em, Wolfman!

[Marky Dread]

Listening now...here goes!

1. Albatross
This is a beast of a track and cuts across really powerful. Bass heavier with way more thunderous drums than the original. The guitar is less Levene and more rock. The overall feel is like a huge collision between "Metal Box" and dare I say it "Album".

2. Memories
One of my fave PiL tracks and vastly underrated in my opinion. That off beat drum sound is great. The guitar is a similar feel and sound to the original at the start then goes wilder. A middle eastern brassy feel with what I think is most likely a keyboard builds into the groove. Fucking great!

3. Swan Lake (aka Death Disco)
Lyrics to the original are some of the most soul bearing ever written and emotionally personal. Of course the discordant melody is stolen from the ballet "Swan Lake" by Giscard Rasquin and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Here it works as a post punk requiem. All the power musically of the PiL original with some delicate piano as a nod to it's classical origins. Powerful version and a great instrumental. But those all important lyrics are essentil. A nice counterpart to "Metal Box".

4. Poptones
A song about the horrific kidnapping of a young woman who hears a particular song played on the cars cassette player.
This is such a brilliant tune and here it is slightly spoilt by Wobble's yobbish style spoken vocal. Shame as the rest is brilliant. Should've been just an instrumental. Some delicate violin pieces are a nice breakdown for the track to build up from. But Wobble's vocals are superfluous. I miss Lydon's voice here.

5. Careering
You sometimes forget (I do at least) just how many incredible tracks are on the original "Metal Box".
This track is given a dance make over and it works but yet again I'm not really a fan of Wobble's vocal and feel it would've worked so much better as an Instrumental. Lydon's vocals on "Metal Box" are so distinct and sharp they work like a separate instrument.
The vocal here is not bad but they don't add anything. Musically the track is solid.

6. Graveyard
Now this track has that amazing lazy groove that just grows and grows. The guitar motif and sound is just like Levene's original and what's not not to like. Some additional piano key sounds add a lighter touch in places and give the track a little breathing space. Less claustrophobic than the original but still excellent.

7. The Suit
Starts off as the original does with Wobble almost aping Lydon's vocal inflection. Again musically excellent but would work better as an instrumental. Not much different to the original musically. Just doesnt need Wobble's vocal.

8. Socialist
A great groove on the original of this track. Although I don't think many realised that it was sped up. This version starts with a da da da da vocal that adds nothing for me. The track builds with extra percussion and sweeps of heavy guitar almost Killing Joke in feel. I like this track but again the vocals are superfluous.

9. Public Image
Impossible to better the original and on this track Wobble's vocal sounds bloody awful. The music is solid and offers some interesting break downs with a flute or whistle (keyboard). Some foreign language parts keeps things interesting. But overall this works the least of all the versions here.

10. Fodderstompf
When this first appeared on "First Issue" it was considered just a filler track. But it's way more than that. The remake 1/2 Mix Megamix is a monster groove.
Does this work as good? well no, but it is still an excellent listen. More dancey than the original and expands on the locked groove feel. With some female vocals singing the "we only wanted to be loved" line.

Overall a solid piece of work that is a fine addition for any PiL fan. Just don't need your vocals...sorry Jah.

[Dr. Medulla]

This almost completely mirrors my evaluation. Musically, it's exceptional, building on an already immense foundation; when Wobble subs for Lydon, it loses steam. Either make it truly instrumental or find a more effective singer. And I agree that "Public Image" is the least compelling of the re-recordings, but I'm more positive towards "Fodderstompf." I thought it finally emerges as a proper song, rather than an advanced jam.

[Marky Dread]

This almost completely mirrors my evaluation. Musically, it's exceptional, building on an already immense foundation; when Wobble subs for Lydon, it loses steam. Either make it truly instrumental or find a more effective singer. And I agree that "Public Image" is the least compelling of the re-recordings, but I'm more positive towards "Fodderstompf." I thought it finally emerges as a proper song, rather than an advanced jam.

We are almost one.

[Dr. Medulla]

https://www.avclub.com/john-lydon-on-pi ... 1798282280

An old interview with Lydon conducted by a wonderful friend of mine. Will has an amazing capacity to get his subjects to loosen up and enjoy the conversation, which is what happens here with Lydon.

[coffeepotman]

Listening now...here goes!

1. Albatross
This is a beast of a track and cuts across really powerful. Bass heavier with way more thunderous drums than the original. The guitar is less Levene and more rock. The overall feel is like a huge collision between "Metal Box" and dare I say it "Album".

2. Memories
One of my fave PiL tracks and vastly underrated in my opinion. That off beat drum sound is great. The guitar is a similar feel and sound to the original at the start then goes wilder. A middle eastern brassy feel with what I think is most likely a keyboard builds into the groove. Fucking great!

3. Swan Lake (aka Death Disco)
Lyrics to the original are some of the most soul bearing ever written and emotionally personal. Of course the discordant melody is stolen from the ballet "Swan Lake" by Giscard Rasquin and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Here it works as a post punk requiem. All the power musically of the PiL original with some delicate piano as a nod to it's classical origins. Powerful version and a great instrumental. But those all important lyrics are essentil. A nice counterpart to "Metal Box".

4. Poptones
A song about the horrific kidnapping of a young woman who hears a particular song played on the cars cassette player.
This is such a brilliant tune and here it is slightly spoilt by Wobble's yobbish style spoken vocal. Shame as the rest is brilliant. Should've been just an instrumental. Some delicate violin pieces are a nice breakdown for the track to build up from. But Wobble's vocals are superfluous. I miss Lydon's voice here.

5. Careering
You sometimes forget (I do at least) just how many incredible tracks are on the original "Metal Box".
This track is given a dance make over and it works but yet again I'm not really a fan of Wobble's vocal and feel it would've worked so much better as an Instrumental. Lydon's vocals on "Metal Box" are so distinct and sharp they work like a separate instrument.
The vocal here is not bad but they don't add anything. Musically the track is solid.

6. Graveyard
Now this track has that amazing lazy groove that just grows and grows. The guitar motif and sound is just like Levene's original and what's not not to like. Some additional piano key sounds add a lighter touch in places and give the track a little breathing space. Less claustrophobic than the original but still excellent.

7. The Suit
Starts off as the original does with Wobble almost aping Lydon's vocal inflection. Again musically excellent but would work better as an instrumental. Not much different to the original musically. Just doesnt need Wobble's vocal.

8. Socialist
A great groove on the original of this track. Although I don't think many realised that it was sped up. This version starts with a da da da da vocal that adds nothing for me. The track builds with extra percussion and sweeps of heavy guitar almost Killing Joke in feel. I like this track but again the vocals are superfluous.

9. Public Image
Impossible to better the original and on this track Wobble's vocal sounds bloody awful. The music is solid and offers some interesting break downs with a flute or whistle (keyboard). Some foreign language parts keeps things interesting. But overall this works the least of all the versions here.

10. Fodderstompf
When this first appeared on "First Issue" it was considered just a filler track. But it's way more than that. The remake 1/2 Mix Megamix is a monster groove.
Does this work as good? well no, but it is still an excellent listen. More dancey than the original and expands on the locked groove feel. With some female vocals singing the "we only wanted to be loved" line.

Overall a solid piece of work that is a fine addition for any PiL fan. Just don't need your vocals...sorry Jah.

I agree on all counts, It would have worked better as an instrumental

[JennyB]

https://www.avclub.com/john-lydon-on-pi ... 1798282280

An old interview with Lydon conducted by a wonderful friend of mine. Will has an amazing capacity to get his subjects to loosen up and enjoy the conversation, which is what happens here with Lydon.

That was a great interview! But why did he skip over That What is Not?

[Dr. Medulla]

https://www.avclub.com/john-lydon-on-pi ... 1798282280

An old interview with Lydon conducted by a wonderful friend of mine. Will has an amazing capacity to get his subjects to loosen up and enjoy the conversation, which is what happens here with Lydon.

That was a great interview! But why did he skip over That What is Not?

Didn't want to remind the old man about the time he shit his pants in public?

[Marky Dread]

https://www.avclub.com/john-lydon-on-pi ... 1798282280

An old interview with Lydon conducted by a wonderful friend of mine. Will has an amazing capacity to get his subjects to loosen up and enjoy the conversation, which is what happens here with Lydon.

That was a great interview! But why did he skip over That What is Not?

Didn't want to remind the old man about the time he shit his pants in public?

Hey that was his own creation.

[Silent Majority]

https://www.avclub.com/john-lydon-on-pi ... 1798282280

An old interview with Lydon conducted by a wonderful friend of mine. Will has an amazing capacity to get his subjects to loosen up and enjoy the conversation, which is what happens here with Lydon.

That was a great interview! But why did he skip over That What is Not?

Didn't want to remind the old man about the time he shit his pants in public?

Hey that was his own creation.

Quite the grand finale.

[Dr. Medulla]

Lengthy interview with Wobble: https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/jah-wobbl ... interview/