Description

Gang Of Four – A Brief History Of The Twentieth Century – Cassette

Gang of Four’s A Brief History of the Twentieth Century is a compilation album released in 1990 that captures the influential post-punk band’s most iconic tracks from their groundbreaking career up to that point. Known for their politically charged lyrics, angular guitar riffs, and fusion of punk with funk and dance rhythms, Gang of Four was a major force in the post-punk movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s. This compilation offers a comprehensive look at their impact on both punk and alternative music, highlighting their unique ability to blend social critique with a distinct, rhythmic sound.

Released in 1990 to help promote a reformed Gang of Four, A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 20th CENTURY is a powerful overview of one of the best political rock groups. It is also a great introduction to the band’s world-view. In this view, everything has a political context; love (‘Anthrax’), the military (‘I Love an Man in Uniform’), loneliness (‘Call Me Up’), and history (‘The History of the World’) and no one is innocent.

Many of the band’s high points appear: ‘At Home, He’s a Tourist,’ ‘Damaged Goods,’ ‘To Hell With Poverty,’ and ‘We Live as We Dream, Alone.’ Frequently employing a martial beat and elastic, funk-inspired bass-guitar lines overlaid with left-field squalls of noise, the Gang of Four’s songs set out to convince you of things. For the believers and the scholars, A BRIEF HISTORY also includes an essay penned by culture/music critic Greil Marcus about experiencing the band’s rise to fame first-hand.

Gang of Four’s music is marked by its critical take on capitalism, consumer culture, and power structures, themes that are explored in tracks like “Natural’s Not In It” and “To Hell with Poverty!” The band’s signature sound combines sharp, dissonant guitar riffs with funky basslines and punchy rhythms, creating a danceable yet edgy aesthetic. Their lyrics often question social norms, explore alienation, and critique political and economic systems with an intensity that resonated deeply with listeners facing similar issues.

The compilation includes some of Gang of Four’s most defining songs:

‘Damaged Goods’ – This track from their 1979 debut album Entertainment! is one of their best-known songs, blending raw guitar riffs with lyrics that explore relationships as transactional, reflecting the alienation and detachment that pervade much of their work.
‘At Home He’s a Tourist’ – With a driving beat and critical lyrics, this song examines the superficiality and commercialism of modern life, a recurring theme in the band’s music.
‘Anthrax’ – Known for its haunting dual vocals and feedback-laden guitar, ‘Anthrax’ challenges traditional song structure, reflecting the band’s experimental approach.
‘I Love a Man in a Uniform’ – This track from Songs of the Free (1982) uses a catchy melody and irony to comment on the militarization of society, showing Gang of Four’s adeptness at pairing danceable beats with serious themes.

LA Brief History of the Twentieth Century serves as both an entry point for new listeners and a retrospective for longtime fans, celebrating Gang of Four’s role in shaping post-punk and influencing genres like indie rock, punk-funk, and dance-punk. Artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., and Franz Ferdinand have cited Gang of Four as an influence, reflecting the band’s lasting impact on alternative music.

Gang of Four’s A Brief History of the Twentieth Century remains a vital compilation that captures the band’s thought-provoking, energetic music, which continues to resonate with listeners interested in politically aware, innovative rock music.

Warner Brothers Records

Track Listing
1. At Home He’s A Tourist
2. Damaged Goods
3. Natural’s Not In It
4. Not Great Men
5. Anthrax
6. Return The Gift
7. It’s Her Factory
8. What We All Want – (live)
9. Paralysed
10. Hole In The Wallet, A
11. Cheeseburger
12. To Hell With Poverty!
13. Capital (It Fails Us Now)
14. Call Me Up
15. I Will Be A Good Boy
16. History Of The World, The
17. I Love A Man In A Uniform
18. Is It Love
19. Womantown
20. We Live As We Dream, Alone