On the Shelf 072: Public Image Ltd
Jun. 4th, 2012 09:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bedsitter23When I heard that PiL was reforming and putting out new music, I was excited. John Lydon may have been called a 'sellout' for doing butter commercials, but he was putting the band back together.
Then, I remembered, and my expectations dropped.
This wasn't the acclaimed original line up. In fact, Keith Levene and Jah Wobble did reunite and put together a band called Metal Box in Dub, and had even got a vocalist from a Sex Pistols tribute band to sing for them.
No, this was the recent line-up, but now with Guitarist John McGeoch no longer with us, Scott Firth stepped in. Firth's most well-known credit is working for the Spice Girls. Uh-Oh!.
PiL were largely a great singles band, but the albums often seemed lacking. I was lucky enough to go to school with someone who worshiped Lydon and had all the records.
This meant I was on board for 9- one of those late 80s albums like New Order's Technique where the post-punk legends were trying to make a move for some record sales by embracing music for the dance floor. The first half of 9 is strong or was at the time, I am hesitant to say how well it stands up, though I like it.) Things seemed to be on track for That What is Not. The single "Covered" got MTV play and really was able to present Lydon to the masses, but the rest of the album is ungodly terrible.
So, I tempered my expectations with the fact it's Lydon and I can't give up on the guy. He also appeared on Leftfield's album to perform "Open Up" which was one of the best song of the mid-90s.
The album opens up with a title track that serves as announcement for the album. It captures the fact that the thing we like best is Johnny singing "This is...." . With such an ambitious opening statement, it is clear, This is PiL is either going to be a classic or a sad rehash of past glories.
The second song starts with the lyrics "I am John and I was born in London". Once again, this is either going to mean something great or terrible.
Fortunately, it's the latter. "One Drop" is one of the finest moments of Lydon's career. In any case, it's his best single in nearly 30 years. "Public Image" as revisited by someone who is in his mid 50s (Opening opportunity that Eminem's best work may come when he's on Medicare).
This is PiL is ambitious, and it delivers. It's a very solid album. Tracks like "Deeper water", "Fool" and "Terra gate" help contribute to make this maybe Lydon's greatest moment. It may end up falling a bit short of Metal Box, but it at least puts itself into the conversation.
There are moments where Lydon gambles with some 'genius or crap' thoughts (spoken-word heavy "The Room I am In", the catchy but lyrically silly "Lollipop Opera") , but these generally fall on the right side of that line.
I have this down as one of the best albums of 2012.
Then, I remembered, and my expectations dropped.
This wasn't the acclaimed original line up. In fact, Keith Levene and Jah Wobble did reunite and put together a band called Metal Box in Dub, and had even got a vocalist from a Sex Pistols tribute band to sing for them.
No, this was the recent line-up, but now with Guitarist John McGeoch no longer with us, Scott Firth stepped in. Firth's most well-known credit is working for the Spice Girls. Uh-Oh!.
PiL were largely a great singles band, but the albums often seemed lacking. I was lucky enough to go to school with someone who worshiped Lydon and had all the records.
This meant I was on board for 9- one of those late 80s albums like New Order's Technique where the post-punk legends were trying to make a move for some record sales by embracing music for the dance floor. The first half of 9 is strong or was at the time, I am hesitant to say how well it stands up, though I like it.) Things seemed to be on track for That What is Not. The single "Covered" got MTV play and really was able to present Lydon to the masses, but the rest of the album is ungodly terrible.
So, I tempered my expectations with the fact it's Lydon and I can't give up on the guy. He also appeared on Leftfield's album to perform "Open Up" which was one of the best song of the mid-90s.
The album opens up with a title track that serves as announcement for the album. It captures the fact that the thing we like best is Johnny singing "This is...." . With such an ambitious opening statement, it is clear, This is PiL is either going to be a classic or a sad rehash of past glories.
The second song starts with the lyrics "I am John and I was born in London". Once again, this is either going to mean something great or terrible.
Fortunately, it's the latter. "One Drop" is one of the finest moments of Lydon's career. In any case, it's his best single in nearly 30 years. "Public Image" as revisited by someone who is in his mid 50s (Opening opportunity that Eminem's best work may come when he's on Medicare).
This is PiL is ambitious, and it delivers. It's a very solid album. Tracks like "Deeper water", "Fool" and "Terra gate" help contribute to make this maybe Lydon's greatest moment. It may end up falling a bit short of Metal Box, but it at least puts itself into the conversation.
There are moments where Lydon gambles with some 'genius or crap' thoughts (spoken-word heavy "The Room I am In", the catchy but lyrically silly "Lollipop Opera") , but these generally fall on the right side of that line.
I have this down as one of the best albums of 2012.
