 Ok,
it might not be a new studio album; but as compilations go this really
is top notch stuff. A superbly packaged singles compilation featuring
Public Image Ltd, Sex Pistols and Lydon solo work; plus a new track!
Throw in a bonus disc of 12" remixes and album tracks; and if that
wasn't enough there is also a separate DVD release too. It's such a
good idea I can't believe the record company didn't try it years ago.
Rightly or wrongly I've always
looked on the Sex Pistols and PiL as completely different things. And
I have to admit at first I wasn't sure about having them on the same
compilation, but it really is amazing how well they work together. You
only have to listen to the first few tracks to hear it. I mean what
a way to start: 'Anarchy in the UK', 'Public Image', 'This is Not a
Love Song', 'Open Up.' Fuck's sake! How good is that?
Taking the records out of
chronological order really was a masterstroke. It might be stuff I've
heard a million times before, but listening to it I was genuinely excited
to hear them work together. One after another, it's relentless! It made
me remember just how much I liked them; and why.
Make no mistake about it
this compilation isn't a case of John Lydon claiming all the glory for
these records and bands by himself (check the credits). It's just a
great way of showcasing the variety of his work. Obviously, John is
the common dominator here (and what does that tell you?), but there's
much more than that; there's a proper thread here. Through PiL, through
the Pistols, through his solo work, but you work it out for yourself,
that's the whole point. I know what they mean to me.
I think this compilation
works on so many different levels it encompasses (almost) everything…
As well as pandering to the casual, or potential new fan, it also lets
fans of each band or period – whether it be early PiL, late PiL,
Sex Pistols or whatever – have access to a whole bunch of records
they might not necessarily have heard or own. It crosses a lot of divides.
Which is a big part of what John's music is all about. Every single
record here is as relevant as the next. Some of the stuff you love someone
else might hate, or vice versa. It makes them no less important.
For whatever bizarre reason
John's musical output is largely ignored these days. A lot of this material
just doesn't get played as much as it deserves, but hopefully this compilation
will bring a whole new audience to a lot of this music. There really
will be young kids out there who will only know John from the Pistols
or TV who are going to get a very pleasant surprise. They might not
get it all at once, but they'll have fun going through it. These records
change lives and that's a fact.
This isn't a rarities compilation
for the hardcore fans, it's not about that. But that said, even they
can't really argue. It's a superb compilation that's had a great deal
of thought put into it; it's not some horrible cash-in. If you don't
want to buy it: don't. You're getting all of John's singles; bar 'Pretty
Vacant' and 'Memories' (and they would have been there if they had fitted,
but something had to give), and with 20 remastered tracks crammed onto
Disc 1 (and running to over 75 minutes) no one can say it's not value
for money. Given that the original single version's are featured here,
and tracks like 'This is Not a Love Song' & 'World Destruction'
have never really had a proper CD release, there's more than enough
to please even the most cynical fan.
 There
is also the option of the 'special edition' featuring a bonus disc of
a further 12 tracks handpicked by John (running to another 80 minutes).
Although mostly compiled from extended 12" mixes it also includes
some of his favourite album tracks. It really is great to hear underrated
material like 'The Pardon' or 'Acid Drops' mixing it with the big boys
like the 12" mixes of 'Death Disco' or 'Open Up'. It also gives
the 2002 dance mix of 'GSTQ' a far wider audience. At long last.
I absolutely love John's
artwork. It's very different in style to some of the other sleeves he's
done like 'Paris Au Printemps' or 'Psycho's Path'. I love the colours
and the attention to detail. Have you had a close look? It's certainly
not a case of the emperor's new clothes is it?
And onto the main event…
A new song, at long last! 'The Rabbit Song!' A short and sharp burst
of what John's been up to on his work-in-progress second solo album.
A song of two halves. Cleverly catchy, but with a more sinister sounding
backdrop. Another classic Lydon musical contradiction. The best way
I could describe it would be to say it sounds like a mixture of off-beat
depth charges and a demented didgeridoo. Not that's there's even a didgeridoo
on it! Ha! It brings a smile to my face every time I hear it. "That's
how you do it, baby!"
While I'd love to hear an
extended version I honestly think John has just about packed more lyrics
into it than any other song on the compilation. More a controlled chant
than a rap, he twists the vocal and the pronunciation the way only John
Lydon can. Given the variety that's on display here it really is a badge
of honour that 'The Rabbit Song' doesn't sound like anything else on
the compilation. Of course, I don't expect any of the other songs on
his forthcoming album to sound like this, but if it's anything to go
by, it's going to be a real treat. Have no doubt about it there's life
in the old dog yet, he's not about to go the way of the £1 note… |
