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When the original lineup of Gang of Four assembled in 2004
for a series of blistering reunion shows, it seemed only natural that they’d
cash in with an accompanying live album. Instead, the aging quartet made its
strangest move to date, re-recording classic hits like “To Hell With Poverty”
and “Damaged Goods” for Return the Gift. Was
this necessary? Hardly. Fans drawn to the exhilarating post-punk rage of 1979’s
Entertainment! and 1981’s Solid
Gold will find nothing revealing about this
Gift, as the Gang sticks to the
formula that fueled their initial success. Even so, it’s worth noting that
their catalogue has aged gracefully, and that their pointed jabs at crooked
politicians and greedy lovers have never sounded so crisp.
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