A Brief History of the Twentieth Century

Gang of Four

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 8, 1990)
• Original Release Date: November 6, 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Ada
• ASIN: B000005JB6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,531 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marxist punk-funk? Don't knock it until you try it., June 29, 1999

By	David J. Crouse (Haverhill, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Gang of Four may be the smartest of all the punk and post-punk bands. That they are also very funky (in a sort of abrasive herky-jerky stop-start kind of way) helps too, doesn't it?

This chronological collection shows the band getting progressively more dance-oriented and poppy (or simply getting progressively worse, depending on your perspective), but even when they're using back-up singers and drum machines, there's an irony to it that's subversive and engaging. Some might even say more subversive than the earlier, more rock-oriented stuff.

I'm not sure if a rock and roll band can change how someone thinks, but if anyone can do it, it's probably these guys.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humanity is relevant as is the music of G4, December 25, 2001

By A Customer

Simply put, Gang of Four hits the cords that make up our lives. In that, I mean that if we all look within ourselves there hide ironies and bits of gloom. And what this CD/album brings out is a sort of desperation that lies dormant in us and is all too bitter sweet. I don't know about you but I love it when my demons are released and memories that are not usually pleasant sit next to me as I listen to the lyrics. I love this stuff. It's great therapy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whoopee!, February 17, 2001

By A Customer

Like the reviewer from Penn, bloody GOF got me thru my first year of college. The most original poli-punk band of all time; their influence on music and culture is still being felt today. To see this compilation thrilled me so much I blew off buying groceries, just to once again freely indulge in Andy Gill's feedback driven loping delivery of the classic "Anthrax." One of the tightest, yet most dissonant and disjointed bands ever. I have two of their early albums, Entertainment! and Solid Gold, but they're all worn and scratchy. I wonder why? Anywho, although Solid Gold deserves a bit more recognition here, this is a very welcome, value-heavy compilation from a band that achieved in its own unique way what the Clash wished it could've been--uncompromising Mao-pop with a twist of punkyfunk chops and brazen Brit attitude that refused to sell out. Sad yet glad, ABHOT2C it's all we have. Indeed, we live as we dream, alone.