One of the many resources I enjoy reading regarding music, are books that feature the best albums by rock reviewers and/or rock DJs around the world.

One such book is Paul Gambaccini's Critics Choice: The Top 100 Rock 'N' Roll Albums Of All Time. This book was printed in 1987, and his previous book was written 10 years earlier. (Hey, 1997 is here and soon to pass. Shouldn't we be seeing a third edition soon?) Browsing through the many albums in this edition's Top 100, there are the usual choices; the ones that every record collector must have. And the others are albums you may have never heard of, and out of curiousity, you're anxious to hear them, and see why such an album is so great to be included in the Top 100.

One album is Gang of Four's Entertainment!, ranking in at #41. Well, to my listening ears, this album is anything but. It seems that a lot of the participants involved in the 1987 edition of Mr. Gambaccini's book are lovers of punk rock. Don't get me wrong, punk rock is enjoyable to listen to. Of course, there are many bands who go a little over the limit in this area of music. The Sex Pistols come to mind; they are (in my opinion) better than Gang of Four.

Formed in 1977, Gang of Four is a band from Leeds, England, featuring the vocals of Jon King. Their sound is probably compared to the early Clash. The first two songs, "Ether" and "Natural's Not In It" are least (to say) listenable tunes. "Return The Gift" is another tune where you can take it or leave it. The changes in the song are off-balance, the guitar solo is annoying at times. "Guns Before Butter", like many of the songs on this album, is of social/political comment. (Hey, didn't The Clash write songs like that too?) Again, the song does get annoying, music sounding wise. "Glass" contains vocals that sounds distracting. "Contract" starts out ok, but it goes through so many changes, it throws you off, a whole lot...

The beginning of "Anthrax" is all guitar feedback, which reminds me of Chicago's "Free Form Guitar" from their debut album, entitled Chicago Transit Authority. "Anthrax" combines punk rock with metal. The punk rock sound is defintely there throughout the song, the feedback is the metal part. Don't turn this one up too loud, you could definitely lose your hearing, if you haven't done so already.

Of all of the tunes, I decided to pick out the ones that are somewhat listenable. (I had to choose some songs that I somewhat liked!). "Not Great Men" is bouncy. "Damaged Goods" is true Clash-ish punk, and somewhat B-52s sounding in the break. "I Found That Essence Rare" has potential, so does "5.45".

This album features "At Home He's A Tourist," which is the group's best-known song (according to Gambacccini's book). The guitar solos are unique. They can be distracting, but it makes the song work, in a way. Again, it has some music changes, and it's moments.

The CD version contains the 4-song Yellow EP. "Outside The Trains Don't Run On Time" has vocals compared to The B-52s' Fred Schneider. It's just the way the vocals sound. "He'd Send In The Army" is also compared to Schneider, but it is more instrumental. "It's Her Factory" isn't that bad. The music works in this one, and the vocals are low-keyed. Lastly, "Armalite Rifle" is another least listenable tune.

Throughout the reviews of each song, I've mentioned the word dealing with "change" in their tunes. On that topic, one thing is certain about Gang of Four: This band goes through constant changing of musical structures in their songs. It's not your common "verse(s), chorus, verse(s)." It threw me off a lot. Maybe that's what makes punk rock, likewise Gang of Four themselves, so unique.

For the devoted punk rock fan, maybe this album is for you. If you're a devoted fan of The Clash, this album may also be the one for you. It's a little harder-edged than The Clash, but it is definitely punk rock, in its own right.

My rating is of very low caliber, maybe it's because punk rock is not on top of my personal list in the many different styles of music. Or maybe because of the band's constant changes of musical structure. Some may argue (like the ones who rated it in Gambaccini's book) and say that this is album is great; maybe not as great as a Sgt. Pepper's (I doubt if it could get THAT close). But to others, (like me), they just disagree.

Rating: F

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