Gang Of Four

One of my most beloved styles of music is "post punk" which is not as much a genre as an art movement. The shock value of punk was palpable and the energy was impassioned but you could only take it so far in it's original form. Post punk ripped it up and started again, in terms of the formal elements and combined that minimalism with the attitude of punk and the grooviness of funk. Gang Of Four was amongst those in the upper echelon of post punk, who are in my opinion Joy Division, The Fall, Wire, Talking Heads, Echo And The Bunnymen, and the Cure. Their style was heavily politicized lyrics of class warfare and social problems, over jagged staccato guitar and a super funky rhythm section. Their lyrics are among my favorites of all time, especially "Naturals Not In It"-

The Problem of the leisure
What to do for pleasure.
Ideal love a new purchase.
A market of the senses.
Dream of the perfect life
Economic circumstances.
The body is good business.
Sell out maintain the interest.
Remember Lot's wife.
Renounce all sin and vice.
Dream of the perfect life.
This heaven gives me migraines.
Repackaged Sex keeps your interest.

Their influence is peppered all over the popular music today with obvious examples being Red Hot Chili Peppers and Franz Ferdinand. Gang Of Four, much like the Clash, were hugely influenced by reggae as well as punk and funk so a lot of the bass rhythms Flea employs for the Chili Peppers are based off the dynamic Gang Of Four touched upon in 1979. The best place to start, consequently is at the beginning with 1979's Entertainment! Here's a few of the best off that album plus the best track off 1981's Solid Gold.

MP3- Natural's Not In It

MP3- Damaged Goods

MP3- I Found That Essence Rare

MP3- At Home He's A Tourist

MP3- What We All Want