Don't make me say it!...i'm warning you.....oh okay, it's PiL's 'First Issue'.,..The long lost USA Remix!?.....how anyone could remix perfection I can only gasp in disbelief. So,I'll have a go at re-imaging the Sistene Chapel after lunch....a liquid one of course.
Nothing....NOTHING sounded like this,or sounds like this,or will ever sound like this. We are just worthy enough to look at it,never mind hear it or even touch it.
But,apparently, according to PiL's american label,Warner Brothers, this record was just unlistenable by American ear-holes, and may damage their delicate brains enough that they could turn to Communism!
As a result this masterpiece,the UK Version as is, was never released on the other side of that great big beautiful pond,until 2013!?
It did manage to be banned in Malta however, because the lyrics of "Religion" offended public morals and decency.....er......good?
Some prat in Sounds reviewed it to be worth 2 stars our of 5?.....but fear not, it got to number 18 in New Zealand.....which may explain something about the future New Zealand scene of the 90's.
As for the 're-mix' itself,done half-arsed style, by John Leckie for £250 quid, it seems based entirely on press reports that Lydon may have been a 'Dub Reggae' fan. So out came the Space Echo, and a hefty amount of spring reverb was channeled to one of the effects knob's,and applied to Jim Donut Walkers' snare,then pushed to the back of the mix,alongside Levene's guitar, too discordant maybe(?). Worst is Lydon's front of mix vocals get the panning treatment with lashings of space echo.
The exclusion of the UK version's most attitudenus track, Fodderstompf, is at best inexplicable? Removed,as was its most controversial moment "Religion",and they don't seem to have been replaced!?
"Death Disco" from future albums sticks out as a possible single,and sounds rather over-produced in the process,when compared to the rest of the numbers.
Running time is made up by adding 4 minutes to "Annalisa" of one of the fab four tinkling on the ivories while the other three howl like pub singers in an echo chamber lock-in.
Wobble's Bass in the iconic,or is that Ironic, "Theme", has clearly had a touch of treble added.....which i ashamedly find to be an improvement...NOT that i would do that if i remixed the fucker I'll have you know. The best way to re-mix this, let's face it, Work Of Art, is to leave it alone as originally conceived,wading upstream in the psychological chaos that shat this unpolished turd on an ungrateful public...especially the Punx. Another invaluable lesson in how to alienate your audience and survive....."I will Survive,I wish I could Diiiiie"
Oh Yeah,2* out of 5 DON'T BUY IT!.....get the other re-issue,OR.......
......DOWNLOAD IT HERE!
A1 Theme 8:59
A2 Annalisa 10:00
B1 Public Image 3:01
B2 Low Life 3:51
B3 Attack 2:45
B4 Swan Lake 6:44
But,apparently, according to PiL's american label,Warner Brothers, this record was just unlistenable by American ear-holes, and may damage their delicate brains enough that they could turn to Communism!
As a result this masterpiece,the UK Version as is, was never released on the other side of that great big beautiful pond,until 2013!?
It did manage to be banned in Malta however, because the lyrics of "Religion" offended public morals and decency.....er......good?
Some prat in Sounds reviewed it to be worth 2 stars our of 5?.....but fear not, it got to number 18 in New Zealand.....which may explain something about the future New Zealand scene of the 90's.
As for the 're-mix' itself,done half-arsed style, by John Leckie for £250 quid, it seems based entirely on press reports that Lydon may have been a 'Dub Reggae' fan. So out came the Space Echo, and a hefty amount of spring reverb was channeled to one of the effects knob's,and applied to Jim Donut Walkers' snare,then pushed to the back of the mix,alongside Levene's guitar, too discordant maybe(?). Worst is Lydon's front of mix vocals get the panning treatment with lashings of space echo.
The exclusion of the UK version's most attitudenus track, Fodderstompf, is at best inexplicable? Removed,as was its most controversial moment "Religion",and they don't seem to have been replaced!?
"Death Disco" from future albums sticks out as a possible single,and sounds rather over-produced in the process,when compared to the rest of the numbers.
Running time is made up by adding 4 minutes to "Annalisa" of one of the fab four tinkling on the ivories while the other three howl like pub singers in an echo chamber lock-in.
Wobble's Bass in the iconic,or is that Ironic, "Theme", has clearly had a touch of treble added.....which i ashamedly find to be an improvement...NOT that i would do that if i remixed the fucker I'll have you know. The best way to re-mix this, let's face it, Work Of Art, is to leave it alone as originally conceived,wading upstream in the psychological chaos that shat this unpolished turd on an ungrateful public...especially the Punx. Another invaluable lesson in how to alienate your audience and survive....."I will Survive,I wish I could Diiiiie"
Oh Yeah,2* out of 5 DON'T BUY IT!.....get the other re-issue,OR.......
......DOWNLOAD IT HERE!
| Tracklist: |
A1 Theme 8:59
A2 Annalisa 10:00
B1 Public Image 3:01
B2 Low Life 3:51
B3 Attack 2:45
B4 Swan Lake 6:44
22 comments:
The things producers, record executives do.....
Like having a Van Gogh retouched to be more life-like, adding the ear back to his self-portrait, for it might induce self-harm...
Thank you for being back
Thanks! Can't wait to hear it!
Been a long time since I heard this and 'Second Edition'. Wretched stuff from a wretched period of life.
I do love this album dearly, but I have to say, this was a little on the underwhelming "so what" side for me. Very rarely do things like this really turn up some "oh my God" moments, and I'm afraid this is another item to add to that list.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Thanks for this, I wasn't too knocked out by the couple of songs I've heard online and the absence of "Religion" is just ridiculous - I wanna hear the whole thing before I buy a copy (or not).
THANKS!!
Assuming this post will attract number of casual internet cruisers who randomly search for "johnny rotten" and such, I want to use the opportunity and provide guide on how to read Die Or DYI Second Edition. Now, this place is a treasure trove in every sense, not just a source of music one can't hear elsewhere, but also a source of top-level prose and ranting one can't get even from her/his life-beaten uncle who accidentally participated in foursome in Hare Krishna temple with members of X-Ray Spex and Rudimentary Peni in 1981.
So, how to read this blog? Go one day at a time with search string for that day. Good choices are UK toponyms: Derby, Solihull, Wolverhampton, etc. Lots of geography to learn, you can just close your eyes and put a finger on the map. Then, be creative with genres: post-prog, prog-punk, improv-metal, human cannonball, etc. Then, random words that sound promising: mutant, spasm, midget and so on. You can read for years and listen for years. The real treat is when you find link to obscure British TV show from 1976 on youtube.
Ze Juden Caused 9/11
Oooooh! that's a bit controversial isn't it?...did you know that 9/11 in the european (aka the sensible) system of such things, means the ninth of November.
"I wish I could die" Don't we all John. Lovely post as always Jonny.
If Jonny Zchivago were to suddenly shed his skin, revealing himself to be a reptilian humanoid, bent on enslaving the human race, and his first order of business to flay Morrisey alive, I would not be surprised.
Hello Jonny
I have written you a poem, just for you, it is called "The Jigaboo Igloo"
In the land of the snow, where the cold winds blow,
Stands the Jigaboo Igloo, all aglow.
Built with care, with love to spare,
A cozy retreat beyond compare.
Its walls are warm, its hearth alight,
A haven for hearts on a frosty night.
Inside, the air hums with joy and cheer,
The spirit of love is always near.
So if you find yourself in the land of the snow,
Seek out the Jigaboo Igloo, let your heart glow.
For in its embrace, you'll find a place,
Where love and laughter fill the space.
Wow! I'm off to the Jigaboo Igloo.......thanks for that Frank,almost brought a tear to my eye for the olden days. and am touched that you took time out from your busy schedule to pen such lovely words for me.....Although publishing the word Jigaboo, could land both of us in hot water...again. I love you.
to be honest (John), copied on a tape and listened on my very cheap car stereo the US-Mix sounded much clearer than the Virgin-Mix.... and most of the punx back then were hometaping and had cheap stereos if my memory serves me well, so the mix made some sense....
Most albums are mixed to sound good on cheap car stereo's, so its no surprise it was better 'sonically' than the UK release in a car. The same problem hounded the Heartbreakers,...the best mix of LAMF was the uk cassette version, as long as you switched the Dolby off.
The thing is,that the problem with the PiL US mix had little to do with the sonics,...as rounded up in the review.
I was unaware of the differences with the US mix. I'm glad I bought the U.K. edition. Many thanks!
Brian
Sometimes when I shower, I lather soap on my ass and fart then pop the bubbles
Well, it seems that for the past few months our Beau Brummell of rock metacritics has been searching for an end among the rubble. And unsurprisingly, he's found the most elegant one. The moral of the fable. The ultimate meaning of this incomparable and necessary blog. Analysis over. It was the best we could do since music has lost any connection with truth. DIY will have taken the retrospective exploration to its final conclusion: not only will the industry make us forget what we loved, but it will do everything to make it ridiculous. For this, we shall be eternally grateful.
Johnny,
We love you and I love you. You are a superlative human being. I want you to remember that when you have dark moments, like I do and indeed, we all do. Don't worry about stupid politicians, fascism and society. I think I used to, but I certainly haven't done so for quite a while. First Edition is great and so is Peter Hammill and The Fall and many, many others. Tubeway Army too.
Skol!
Anders Lagerstrom from Australia.
I'd just like to tell ye that 'Fanny Blancmange' is quite likely the best internet fake-name that I've ever heard.
Well, after being awarded the coveted title of "Beau Brummell of rock metacritics" by the previous commentator, I am touched by being described as a "Superlative Human Being".....as you well know, it's usually the opposite of this,usually recommending suicide,or things similar.
I try to see the funny side to Trump,and all the mini trumps,it's something to write about at least.
I also like albums that don't have an obvious title, like this one...i notice you call it First Edition rather than "Public Image" or "First Issue". I had a friend (RIP) who insisted that its called "Religion Attack".... whatever it is, its my bestest favourite LP record ever!
I bought a copy of "This Is What You Want....." at a flea market in my village......I hated this record when it came out. Now i think its another for the ever lengthening list of Bad Attitude records.Lydon took the piss out of everyone...including the idiots who bought it...me??!....i didn't like having the piss extracted back then...but now i get it.....the video for Bad Life is probably the greatest bad attitude video of the 1980s.
Its got slap bass.......but not like that bloke in Level 42...that would be going too far in the name of art fer me.
I refuse to call Gary Numan anything other than Tubeway Army, for all of his albums......but i can't stand his come back recordings....Nine Inch Nails shite.
Skol....that used to be one of the beers of choice for yer Punk Rocker,often seen brandishing a can in front of the music press...either that or Colt 45.
Thanks for your kindness, and i hope to be back posting shit soom.
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