oh not you too, Dan
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 May 2012 21:55 (twelve years ago) link
Huh! I'm genuinely surprised it has its fans!
― poxen, Tuesday, 22 May 2012 22:04 (twelve years ago) link
GTFO, World Destruction slays.
― Hierophantiasis (Jon Lewis), Tuesday, 22 May 2012 22:10 (twelve years ago) link
this recent anti-WD mood on ILX takes me completely by surprise
― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 22 May 2012 22:10 (twelve years ago) link
Want to boldly say something like 'Album is the only thing involving Laswell I ever need to hear again' but ehh I guess there's Ask The Ages.
― Hierophantiasis (Jon Lewis), Tuesday, 22 May 2012 22:11 (twelve years ago) link
what, She's The Boss didn't move you?
― Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 22 May 2012 22:12 (twelve years ago) link
D^%E&Y*&^(&*#$^*(
― Hierophantiasis (Jon Lewis), Tuesday, 22 May 2012 22:13 (twelve years ago) link
World Destruction is classic - took me ages to figure out what that song was when I kept hearing it on KROQ as a teen
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 09:54 (twelve years ago) link
wtf, no not me too, I'm just saying it's kind of crazy to assume everyone loves a song (unless that song is "Wanna Be Starting Something")
― that is a weird thing to bring up over lean cuisine (DJP), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 13:34 (twelve years ago) link
I could be wrong but I think Alfred was referring to your Bieber diss.
― fun loving and xtremely tolrant (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 13:38 (twelve years ago) link
That's not even a diss (even though it's true I intensely dislike Bieber), it's more an acknowledgement of the existence of Venn diagrams
― that is a weird thing to bring up over lean cuisine (DJP), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 13:40 (twelve years ago) link
so.....should I check out their show on Friday?
― the ones that I'm near most: fellow outcasts and ilxors (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 2 October 2012 02:06 (eleven years ago) link
it could be good, it could be bad
― Euler, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 02:07 (eleven years ago) link
it could be wrong, it could be right
― the ones that I'm near most: fellow outcasts and ilxors (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 2 October 2012 02:11 (eleven years ago) link
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maxe3u9vhF1qa6myvo1_250.jpg
― Euler, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 02:13 (eleven years ago) link
they put a hot wire to his head!
― the ones that I'm near most: fellow outcasts and ilxors (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 2 October 2012 02:15 (eleven years ago) link
now in the endless summer, I could be happy or in distress, depending on the company
― Euler, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 02:16 (eleven years ago) link
I never imagined a time when Brian Wilson would look better than John Lydon.
― Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 03:18 (eleven years ago) link
i saw them in 2010 and the first issue/metal box stuff was FANTASTIC - even if none of them actually played on it. The "psycho's path"/"rise"/"disappointed" seemed to please those old enough to remember them from college radio, but I just waited it out. Latest song they played was that Leftfield "Open Up" number though - would totally see them again on a Plays Metal Box tour but not sure about the new material.
― da croupier, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 04:06 (eleven years ago) link
i should exclude "psycho's path" from that college rock comment
― da croupier, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 04:07 (eleven years ago) link
Wobble & Levene have been doing Plays Metal Box shows this year, to Lydon's withering contempt
― ┐(´ー`)┌ (sic), Tuesday, 2 October 2012 05:30 (eleven years ago) link
Things that don't earn Lydon's withering contempt:
- John Lydon- Butter advertisements- The Slits
― Half Jaglom Half Winkler (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 2 October 2012 05:55 (eleven years ago) link
- Poly Styrene
― Mark G, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 06:00 (eleven years ago) link
To give him his due, it really is good butter.
― Mates of 808 State (S-), Tuesday, 2 October 2012 06:45 (eleven years ago) link
I wonder how that Wobble/Levene ep released earlier this year is?
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 17:02 (eleven years ago) link
The Slits
I've never heard someone go off on someone else as savagely as Lydon did when talking to me about Ari Up (this was in the early 90s, long prior to her passing.) He was not kind. I've since heard he spent a lot of time teaching Ari's kids to read, since she didn't believe they needed to know this herself. I've never heard him much praise the Slits, to be honest . . . though he was quite lavish in his praise for the Raincoats.
Pretty good so long as you're not expecting Metal Box II. But don't bother, as it appears that all four tracks appear in the new album, plus six more. I haven't heard that, so I can't confirm that the versions are identical, but buyer beware.
― crustaceanrebel, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 19:11 (eleven years ago) link
a bit more on this: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/john-lydon-i-was-too-busy-playing-daddy-to-reform-pil_1346009
― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Tuesday, 2 October 2012 21:53 (eleven years ago) link
http://i46.tinypic.com/35d6rkk.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/19xuhi.jpg
― Thanks WEBSITE!! (Z S), Tuesday, 2 October 2012 22:06 (eleven years ago) link
"World Destruction" is the sound of two all-time musicians reaching their nadir at the exact same moment.
Not helped by the fact that Laswell has never understood that just because two things have never gone together before that doesn't mean they necessarily should.
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 3 October 2012 18:23 (eleven years ago) link
I don't know why I'm enjoying this as much as I am... Think I was prepared for the worst?
http://concert.arte.tv/fr/europunk-public-image-limited
― StanM, Tuesday, 24 March 2015 18:39 (nine years ago) link
It's good to have low expectations, you can only go up.
I listened to "Happy" and "9" recently and dug almost all of them aside from a few tracks. Still looking for a good recent live set.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 24 March 2015 19:01 (nine years ago) link
The one I just linked to is from last month btw - Feb 25th.
― StanM, Tuesday, 24 March 2015 19:08 (nine years ago) link
listened to 'seattle' only today. have never ventured into anything later than that song, but i do love it
― cgi bubka (NickB), Tuesday, 24 March 2015 19:28 (nine years ago) link
oh wait. 2013. sorry. Xp
― StanM, Tuesday, 24 March 2015 19:30 (nine years ago) link
They're touring the US again. Should I get back on the bus? Haven't listened to 'em in ages.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 27 August 2015 19:16 (nine years ago) link
http://www.johnlydon.com/images2/pil-cycle-jersey.jpg.. and onto the Bike?
"The wheels on the bike go ROUND AND AROUND, AROUNDAROUND ROUND ROUND..."
― Mark G, Friday, 5 August 2016 10:28 (eight years ago) link
Free bus with every copy..
Release Date 28 October 2016Product code5701491FormatQuadruple CD AlbumLabelUMC / Virgin EMIOn 28th October, PiL will reissue the seminal albums ‘Metal Box’ and ‘Album’. ‘Metal Box’ was the band’s second album, originally released on 23rd November 1979 and ‘Album’ was their 5th studio album and was originally released on 3rd February 1986, marking 2016 as its 30th anniversary.The album’s will both be issued as 4 CD and 4 vinyl LP super-deluxe box sets, as well as digitally. The editions will include rare and previously unreleased material along with a live disc. The CD version’s feature additional tracks to the vinyl editions due to running time restrictions, however, the vinyl edition will include a download card for all tracks on the CD version’s. ‘Metal Box’ will be issued in a square metal tin (CD & LP) (the 1979 original was issued in a round metal film canister) with an embossed PiL logo. Both super-deluxe editions will include a 72 page booklet together with an exclusive poster, art-prints (LP version) and postcards (CD version).With all lyrics written by John Lydon ‘Metal Box’ was recorded with original PiL members Keith Levene and Jah Wobble. Original drummer Jim Walker had left, to be replaced by a succession of drummers. ‘Metal Box’ came out less than a year after PiL’s debut ‘Public Image: First Issue’ yet it was nothing like its predecessor. Things had changed, and so had PiL. While outside pressures mounted PiL channeled their energies (negative and positive) into a record that would set them apart back in 1979, and indeed today in 2016. Whether it be John’s powerful and passionate vocals; Keith’s wailing guitar and melodic synths; Wobble’s sub-disco reggae basslines; or the crashing rhythm that holds it all together, ‘Metal Box’ has many strengths. The album was originally released as 3 x 45rpm 12” singles, housed in a metal ‘film’ canister. As made by ‘The Metal Box Company’ in London’s East End; hence the name. The deluxe edition includes rare and unreleased mixes from the recording sessions, along with B-sides and BBC sessions, plus a live recording from a now legendary unplanned show at Factory Records Russell Club in Manchester arranged on the day of a Granada TV appearance.Tracklist:Disc 1:Remastered album1. Albatross2. Memories3. Swan Lake (Death Disco)4. Poptones5. Careering6. No Birds Do Sing7. Graveyard8. The Suit9. Bad Baby10. Socialist11. Chant12. Radio 4Disc 2:B-sides, mixes & radio sessions1. Death Disco (7” edit)2. Death Disco 12”3. Half Mix / Megga Mix (b-side)4. Death Disco - BBC TV, Top of the Pops July 12.7.725. Memories 12”6. Another (b-side)7. Poptones - BBCRadio 1, John Peel Sessions 19798. Careering - BBC Radio 1, John Peel Sessions 19799. Chant - BBC Radio 1, John Peel Sessions 197910. Poptones - BBC TV, Old Grey Whistle Test 5/2/80 (audio)11. Careering - BBC TV, Old Grey Whistle Test 5/2/80 (audio)12. Pied Piper (rare compilation-only track)Disc 3:Unreleased Mixes1. Poptones (version 3) (unreleased)2. Swan Lake (monitor mix)3. Albatross (monitor mix) (alternative mix)4. Swan Lake (“master”) (alternative mix) (unreleased)5. Unknown INST Jam 1 (“Chant”) (unreleased)6. Unknown Jam 2 (“Megachant”) (unreleased)7. Music from an Oven (aka Memories) (unreleased)8. Radio 4 (“symphony suite”) (unreleased)9. Home is Where The Heart is (original mix) (unreleased)10. Unknown INST 2 (unreleased)Disc 4:Live at Manchester, Russell’s Club (The Factory) 18/6/79 (unreleased)1. Chant2. Swan Lake (aka Death Disco)3. Memories4. Public Image5. Annalisa6. No Birds Do Sing
The album’s will both be issued as 4 CD and 4 vinyl LP super-deluxe box sets, as well as digitally. The editions will include rare and previously unreleased material along with a live disc. The CD version’s feature additional tracks to the vinyl editions due to running time restrictions, however, the vinyl edition will include a download card for all tracks on the CD version’s. ‘Metal Box’ will be issued in a square metal tin (CD & LP) (the 1979 original was issued in a round metal film canister) with an embossed PiL logo. Both super-deluxe editions will include a 72 page booklet together with an exclusive poster, art-prints (LP version) and postcards (CD version).
With all lyrics written by John Lydon ‘Metal Box’ was recorded with original PiL members Keith Levene and Jah Wobble. Original drummer Jim Walker had left, to be replaced by a succession of drummers. ‘Metal Box’ came out less than a year after PiL’s debut ‘Public Image: First Issue’ yet it was nothing like its predecessor. Things had changed, and so had PiL. While outside pressures mounted PiL channeled their energies (negative and positive) into a record that would set them apart back in 1979, and indeed today in 2016. Whether it be John’s powerful and passionate vocals; Keith’s wailing guitar and melodic synths; Wobble’s sub-disco reggae basslines; or the crashing rhythm that holds it all together, ‘Metal Box’ has many strengths. The album was originally released as 3 x 45rpm 12” singles, housed in a metal ‘film’ canister. As made by ‘The Metal Box Company’ in London’s East End; hence the name. The deluxe edition includes rare and unreleased mixes from the recording sessions, along with B-sides and BBC sessions, plus a live recording from a now legendary unplanned show at Factory Records Russell Club in Manchester arranged on the day of a Granada TV appearance.
Tracklist:Disc 1:Remastered album1. Albatross2. Memories3. Swan Lake (Death Disco)4. Poptones5. Careering6. No Birds Do Sing7. Graveyard8. The Suit9. Bad Baby10. Socialist11. Chant12. Radio 4
Disc 2:B-sides, mixes & radio sessions1. Death Disco (7” edit)2. Death Disco 12”3. Half Mix / Megga Mix (b-side)4. Death Disco - BBC TV, Top of the Pops July 12.7.725. Memories 12”6. Another (b-side)7. Poptones - BBCRadio 1, John Peel Sessions 19798. Careering - BBC Radio 1, John Peel Sessions 19799. Chant - BBC Radio 1, John Peel Sessions 197910. Poptones - BBC TV, Old Grey Whistle Test 5/2/80 (audio)11. Careering - BBC TV, Old Grey Whistle Test 5/2/80 (audio)12. Pied Piper (rare compilation-only track)
Disc 3:Unreleased Mixes1. Poptones (version 3) (unreleased)2. Swan Lake (monitor mix)3. Albatross (monitor mix) (alternative mix)4. Swan Lake (“master”) (alternative mix) (unreleased)5. Unknown INST Jam 1 (“Chant”) (unreleased)6. Unknown Jam 2 (“Megachant”) (unreleased)7. Music from an Oven (aka Memories) (unreleased)8. Radio 4 (“symphony suite”) (unreleased)9. Home is Where The Heart is (original mix) (unreleased)10. Unknown INST 2 (unreleased)
Disc 4:Live at Manchester, Russell’s Club (The Factory) 18/6/79 (unreleased)1. Chant2. Swan Lake (aka Death Disco)3. Memories4. Public Image5. Annalisa6. No Birds Do Sing
― Mark G, Friday, 9 September 2016 22:57 (eight years ago) link
LOL:
Metal Box has many strengths
Seriously, tho, this looks pretty awesome.
― Naive Teen Idol, Saturday, 10 September 2016 00:27 (eight years ago) link
man that is a whooooole lotta filler
― though she denies it to the press, (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Saturday, 10 September 2016 01:40 (eight years ago) link
For me, it's all about the first three albums and Commercial Zone, and the odd track here and there after that but not full albums.
― the hair - it's lost its energy (Turrican), Saturday, 10 September 2016 01:43 (eight years ago) link
The parts on 'Memories' where the track completely changes sonically as a result of two different mixes of the same track being edited together is such a genius production decision.
― the hair - it's lost its energy (Turrican), Saturday, 10 September 2016 01:45 (eight years ago) link
A lot of people followed this arc of "growing out of" the Sex Pistols and realizing that PiL is, like, waaay better, but for me it was the other way around. Metal Box was one of my first left-of-center postpunk discoveries but at some point it "unclicked" with me (the hype wore off? I got more honest with myself?) and I can't even remember what I saw in it.
"GET PISSED / DESTROYYYYY" > the whole jittery awkward situationist smartypants scene
― punksishippies, Saturday, 10 September 2016 02:23 (eight years ago) link
i adore album
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Saturday, 16 July 2022 02:16 (two years ago) link
I think the Order of Death might be my favorite PIL thing.
― beard papa, Saturday, 16 July 2022 02:56 (two years ago) link
critical support for post-Levene PiL regime - even the drabbest bits of Happy? And 9 have John McGeoch doing something interesting off in a corner of the mix -
but i leap off the bus with the arrival of that noxious single Don’t Ask Me - maybe i am doing it wrong but that seemed to me a really repellent little ditty
― the life of a rebo band is always intense (emsworth), Saturday, 16 July 2022 06:11 (two years ago) link
The drum sound on "Rise" is so awful I've never listened to the entire album (or anything after tbh). The rest of that song (Steve Vai aside) could be salvageable but those are some of the worst drums of the '80s.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Saturday, 16 July 2022 07:29 (two years ago) link
huh, the drum sound is part of its weird charm for me
― assert (matttkkkk), Saturday, 16 July 2022 07:56 (two years ago) link
"Don't ask me" John didn't write.
The credits have all the band named, which is fine as John has always done that with all his songs, there's a fair few drummers getting royalty cheques that other bands wouldn't..
I think 'Disappointed' was his last great single.
But, if you enjoy your job and don't want to quit, then carry on! Let's not get precious about it ..
― Mark G, Saturday, 16 July 2022 09:17 (two years ago) link
Allan Dias wrote 'Don't Ask Me'
I love the drum sound on Album :)
― MaresNest, Saturday, 16 July 2022 11:58 (two years ago) link
I think 'Seattle' was his last great single. The only post-Levine album I've heard in full [by accident] is That What Is Not, which ranges from passable to terrible.
― Halfway there but for you, Saturday, 16 July 2022 13:32 (two years ago) link