An incredible debut from Public Image Limited – one
of the most striking records
of its generation, and a huge surprise – given that the Sex Pistols had broken up just a few
months before! The record is the key transition
of Johnny Rotten into John Lydon – and the whole thing is light years ahead
of the Pistols in terms
of boundless creativity and originality – different from Lydon's own earlier revolutionary punk act and different from pretty much everything else on the late 70s landscape – even darker than punk, if you can imagine that! The dissonant, driving post punk guitars and sneering vocals are recognizable, sure – but the dubby textures and more angular touches are so far outside the box and so hugely influential that it's hard to fathom myriad underground rock acts existing without it.
Of course, part
of the credit also goes to the amazing band that John Lydon assembled to put the whole thing together – a quartet that includes incredible guitar from Keith Levene, and heady bass from Jah Wobble – both key parts
of the sound. Titles include "Theme", "Religion", "Religion II", "Annalisa", "Public Image", "Low Life", "Attack" and "Fodderstompf".
(Deluxe 180 gram edition in the tip-on gatefold cover, still in the shrink with hype sticker. Includes the booklet, poster, download card, sticker, patch, and pin set!)