414. Public Image - Public Image Ltd

Released in 1978, Public Image Ltd was John Lydon's first project post-Sex Pistols. In many ways, it was the next natural step for someone so determined to rail against convention. It isn't punk, and certainly couldn't be confused with his previous group, but it is underpinned by the same anger at the way things are, as well as a healthy dollop of self-awareness.

Musically it is very post-punk, with lots of distortion, recurring motifs, and angular rhythms, with high production values. It is very arthouse, combining ideas that shouldn't fit together, and experimenting to see what the outcome is. Some of the content was originally put together by Lydon whilst with the Sex Pistols, but it really needs the bass-heavy drive of Jah Wobble and the staccato guitar of Levene to properly come together.

Religion parts I and II form a vicious attack on the Catholic church, once as a simple monologue, and then with the same lyrics overlaid onto a meandering guitar riff and steady, chugging rhythm section. "Bibles full of libel" and "Fat pig priest/Sanctimonious smiles/He takes the money/You take the lies" demonstrate Lydon's fury with the manner in which the Catholic church used its power, and took advantage of its congregation. The title track is a standout, striking a balance between a more conventional song format and whilst maintaining much of the reggae influenced sounds that are the lifeblood of this album. As the sole single off the album it reached number 8 in the UK chart, although I'm sure Lydon's notoreity was much of the driving force for this. Chloe thought that Lowlife sounds pretty much exactly like the Pixies, no bad thing, so Public Image's influence is pretty apparent. The final track, Fodderstompf, has absolutely no right to work, yet is a song I find hugely compelling. The ongoing refrain "we only wanted to be loved" manages to sound both tongue in cheek and refreshingly honest simultaneously. The use of a fire extinguisher as an additional instrument is also rather inspired, especially when it is used to indicate the band's "frustration with society."

The album as a whole is a mix of the good and the bad, which is hardly surprising given the experimental nature of the group. The good is really very, very good, nd the bad is just a bit ok. I can fully understand its importance in moving the musical landscape on from traditional rock, punk, and more progressive bands in a different direction entirely, and for that it certainly is worthy of praise. 

Chloe's rating: 6
Chloe's favourite track: 6. Lowlife
Olly's rating: 7
Olly's favourite track: 8. Fodderstompf

Our next album is 924. Gold by Ryan Adams; bit of a belter that one.