Album Review: Various Artists - 'The Problem Of Leisure: A Celebration Of Andy Gill & Gang Of Four'

This album brings back memories of Andy Gill and his band celebrating the 40th anniversary of the release of Gang Of Four’s Entertainment! down at The Curtin back in November 2019. 

It’s hard to believe that Gill passed away, not long afterwards, early in 2020 as this dreadful plague was starting to take flight around the world. Gill had worked on this collection by artists that inspired him, intending it to be a celebration of Entertainment! which after 40 years has established itself as a post-punk classic. Sadly, instead this collection primed for release by his wife Catherine Mayer, pays tribute to and celebrates Gill’s life. 

The influence of Gill and Gang Of Four on artists like Tom Morello and Serj Tankian is immediately obvious as they deal a ripping version Natural’s Not In It that comes with Gang Of Four’s trademark angular guitar licks that are at once tense, nervous and weirdly funky. Helmet do much the same with a heavy cover of In The Ditch that is a wild mess of guitar noise. IDLES get heavy with Damaged Goods but lighten the mood with jerky bouncy beats designed for a good old fashioned pogo. 

The twist in is this compilation is that while many pay homage by producing an approximation of Gang Of Four’s signature sound, many others steal the show by placing these tunes in an entirely different musical context. La Roux takes Damaged Goods and turns it into a cheeky electro pop number. Similarly, Bowie's bassist Gail Ann Dorsey adroitly turns We Live As We Dream, Alone into a delightful piece of avant-pop that kind of reflects the influence of Bowie. 

3D and the Nova Twins’ take on Where The Nightingale Sings deals a slice of experimental electronica that shifts between the menace of dark tech beats and a dreamy celestial choirs. The irreverent disco funk charm of The Sounds cover of I Love A Man In A Uniform surprisingly turns the song into feel-good pop confection. 

Amusingly, John Frusciante and Flea stick to what they know best, RedHotChiliPepper-ifying Not Great Men and Killing Joke do much the same dropping an indie rave party on Forever Starts. 

There is so much to explore on this epic double disc collection. Even synth rockers Hardcore Ravers In Tears make an appearance. Predictably it's Gary Numan’s experimental electro take on Love Like Anthrax that’s our personal favourite.

The Problem Of Leisure is a fitting farewell to Andy Gill as it celebrates the timeless genius of his work with Gang Of Four. 

Find out more about Gang Of Four here.