The post punk revival of the early 2000’s created a whole new set of bands that were referencing Gang of Four as a major influence. New and successful bands like Franz Ferdinand, The Rapture and later Bloc Party were all in deference to Gang of Four. 

With significant demand for them to reform, for the first time in over 20 years the original line up of Gang of Four briefly and fractiously re-united in late 2004 for a series of live shows and to put together this album of re-recordings of earlier work, with the aim of infusing them with the spirit of live performance. 

The album was produced by Andy at his London studio. It was released on the Richard Branson’s V2 label and included a collection of remixes by other artists influenced by Gang of Four, making it a double album release. It is the seventh studio album by Gang of Four. 

Currently only available to listen to on YouTube and second-hand copies available to buy via Discogs etc.

Album reviews:

“Such has been their influence that 2005 has been as much about Gang of Four as Franz Ferdinand. Recorded on the back of January’s reunion dates, Return the Gift sees the foursome re-recording their original songs and, implausibly, making them better. Andy Gill’s much-imitated guitar now sounds as if he were playing an exploding electrical pylon. Best of all is the clarity of lyrics that were previously buried in the analogue mix. Jon King’s perfect soundbites strip away the lies and tricks of capitalism and consumerism: ‘Paradise … If you can earn it! Repackaged sex … keeps your interest!’ A second CD of clubby remixes by groups inspired by Gang of Four reinforces the impression of a band who arrived 27 years early for their own party.” – Dave Simpson, The Guardian, October 7^th, 2005.

“This revisitation of the band’s canon burns brighter than a thousand nuclear-rector accidents.” – Alternative Press, November 2005.

“It shows a band building a new outpost atop the summit of their achievements.” – Q Magazine, November 2005.

“Time has not dulled the group’s scarily tight musicianship.” – Billboard, October 15^th, 2005.

“Listening to the sharp separation of song and instrumentation elements that mark these recordings reveals the merit in Gang of Four reworking their own songs. 7 out of 10” –  Under the Radar, October 2005.

TRACKLISTING

CD1 – the re-recordings

To Hell With Poverty
Damaged Goods
Natural’s Not In It
Not Great Men
Why Theory?
Anthrax
Paralysed
What We All Want
Ether
He’d Send In The Army
Capital
I Love A Man In Uniform
At Home He’s A Tourist
We Live As We Dream, Alone

CD2 – the remixes

To Hell With Poverty (Go Home Productions Remix)
Natural’s Not In It (Ladytron Remodel)
I Love A Man In Uniform (Yeah Yeah Yeahs Remix)
Ether (Into The Ether Remix)
At Home He’s A Tourist (The Others Remix)
Not Great Men (Phones Extended Version)
Anthrax (Faultline Remix)
Damaged Goods (Hot Hot Heat Remix)
Why Theory? (Amusement Parks On Fire Remix)
Natural’s Not In It (Repackaged By The Rakes)
At Home He’s A Tourist (The Others Alternate Mix)
What We All Want (Dandy Warhols Remix)