Songs of the Free

Gang of Four | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 14, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002MAO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,138 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Call Me Up

2. I Love A Man In Uniform

3. We Live As We Dream, Alone

4. It Is Not Enough

5. Life! It's A Shame

6. I Will Be A Good Boy

7. The History Of The World

8. Muscle For Brains

9. Of The Instant

10. The World At Fault

11. I Love A Man In Uniform (Dub)

Editorial Reviews

2008 digitally remastered edition of this album from the British Post-Punk/Funk band, originally released in 1982. Songs Of The Free, the band's third album and first to feature Sara Lee following original bassist Dave Allen's departure in 1981, was the closest they'd come to conventional Pop, thanks to Mike Howlett's crashing but crisp, shiny production and guitarist Andy Gill and singer Jon King's increasing ability to sugar their bitter messages with candy-coated melodies. There's even, in the Falklands-anticipating 'I Love A Man In Uniform', a near-hit single - only a ban by the BBC prevented this clubland favorite from charting higher. Elsewhere, on 'Call Me Up' and the Joseph Conrad-referencing 'We Live As We Dream, Alone', GOF continue to fuse feedback and Funk to startling effect. EMI. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't believe the (negative) hype..., March 5, 2005

By 

Wordybirdy "buddy222" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs of the Free (Audio CD)

...from the reviewers that seem to only want to hear the Gang Of Four that recorded Entertainment! While that's definitely an awesome record, Gang Of Four took their angular, bass-driven and totally original sound to a more radio-friendly level on Songs Of The Free. And that's OK, people!

If The Human League had never tightened their chops to make Dare, if Nirvana had never hooked up with Butch Vig to create Nevermind, they'd still be remembered...but as beloved cult bands. And while Gand Of Four never reaped the hoped-for commercial success with Songs Of The Free, I believe it remains their best album. Check it out for yourself! But do get Entertainment, too. I bet you'll toss your Franz Ferdinand CD out the window.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another must have that's totally unavailable!!!, August 28, 2004

By 

Dean A. Arnold "duckmandean" (Western NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs of the Free (Audio CD)

For goodness sake, will someone get around to re-releasing this? This is the maturation of the angular thud that was Gang of Four and really their last great album. More pop friendly with a big nod to the dance floor styles of the day. Gone are Hugo Burnham's huge drums and the signature guitar is mixed down a bit from the face melting histrionics of Entertainment and Solid Gold.
Buy everything they produced up to and including this....if you can find it without having to take a second mortgage.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have album of a must have punk band, February 22, 2003

By 

KNO2skull "kn02skull" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs of the Free (Audio CD)

"Songs of the Free" was released after some harder-edged albums like Entertainment and Solid Gold. This still has the "Gang Of Four" sound, and does not degrade because it is a little richer and less minimalist. It certainly has an eighties flavor, however it also feels timeless. The hard-biting guitar is still there, as well as the excellent rhythm section with strong base lines and solid drum beats. Andy Gill's lyrics are as thick, powerful, and woundingly true as ever.
"I Love A Man In A Uniform" is a classic song, delving into the military mindset. "The History Of The World" cynically sums up not only our times, but all times past. "Muscle For Brains" is an anthem against all those who would act in the your interest in their interest of control. Every song on this album is great, and it is only a bonus that the dub version of "I Love A Man In A Uniform" is included.
The one negative about this particular version, is that it is a collectible, original release, at a large price because of it. However, it has since been re-released on "Infinite Zero Archive", and should be available used at a far depleted price in comparison to this version. Probably only used as well, but check out the Z-shops or elsewhere if "Infinite Zero" version is not available.