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Return The Gift
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 20 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 5 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: V2
Release Date: 11 October 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock
Summary
It's nearly impossible to read an indie music review these days without seeing the words "Gang Of Four" pop up, but that influential band hasn't been around to take advantage of its newfound fame. Until now, that is, as the reunited Gang (in its original lineup for the first time since 1981) returns with newly re-recorded versions of 14 of its classic songs.
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Alternative Press
This revisitation of the band's canon burns brighter than a thousand nuclear-rector accidents. [Nov 2005, p.218]
Entertainment Weekly
Shows the Gang still do it best. [28 Oct 2005, p.84]
Q Magazine
It shows a band building a new outpost atop the summit of their achievements. [Nov 2005, p.124]
Billboard
Time has not dulled the group's scarily tight musicianship. [15 Oct 2005]
Mojo
The best Gang Of Four tribute album... ever. [Nov 2005, p.96]
Under The Radar
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. [#11, p.107]
The Guardian
Return the Gift sees the foursome re-recording their original songs and, implausibly, making them better.
Read Full Review >Dusted Magazine
So yes, they've still got it. But that still begs the question; do you need re-recordings of tunes that changed the face of rock music? Not as badly as you need the originals, that's for sure.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
One thing that remains unchanged, to no surprise whatsoever, is the enduring vitality of the material.
Read Full Review >Junkmedia
Does it replace the originals as the definitive Gang of Four collection? No way.
Read Full Review >Lost At Sea
The problem is simply that Gang of Four got Entertainment! right the first time, whether they like it or not.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Bottom line is that if you've got the old albums and you want to experience Gang of Four again, better to shell out for the actual show than for the disc that approximates it.
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
I'm sure purists would prefer to snag the recently remastered originals as opposed to this Gift, even though those older fans would be able to appreciate this album most.
Read Full Review >Uncut
Neither embarrassing nor unenjoyable, then, but still an exercise bearing a cautionary sting. [Nov 2005, p.98]
Blender
It's the musical equivalent of George Lucas's tinkering with the Star Wars DVDs--some flaws are best left uncorrected. [Nov 2005, p.135]
New Musical Express
It's a little like a Crimewatch reconstruction: very well put together, all in a good cause, vaguely entertaining, but really they're just hoping it'll vaguely remind you of something that happened years ago. [1 Oct 2005, p.47]
Paste Magazine
It's disappointing to find Gang of Four recycling the past so bluntly, trafficking in a nostalgia industry they should be well above. [Dec 2005, p.122]
cokemachineglow
Though, technically, the production is much “improved” here, meaning that the album is louder and clearer, it’s still not a very enjoyable listen when the listener can’t shake the idea that something’s amiss.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Brian S gave it a6:
I hadent heard much about Gang of Four until recently. Enterainment is a stunning album and near perfect, which is what makes this album seem more of a sell out, something im sure they will deny. If it makes introduces more people to GOF then great, but some new material would have been nice ( if they have any in them ) ;)
slawek k gave it an8:
sometimes uneven but the general opinion is definitely positive. i like their paranoic sound. the second song would be a number 1 on some alternative chart.
Volt Meter gave it a9:
Bummer that there's no new material here. But these guys are still amazingly tight. I saw them at every Boston venue with the original lineup. If anything, the new versions have a harder edge to them: Hugo pounds like a piledriver and Andy Gill shreds blistering funk feedback. I love this CD. But I just wish that they'd follow the cue of one of their touring mates from '79-'81 (Mission of Burma) and put forth some new material. I'd like to see what sonic mayhem the crew would make after 24 years (when Dave Allen left). Dave Allen's funk bass was in my humble opinion the cement of GOF. He and Hugo were one of the tightest rhythm sections I've ever seen. After he and Hugo left, Gang of Four became a rather boring affair. Pop won out over hard funk. But the past is...well, the past. I love the re-recordings. At least it might introduce GOF to a new audience. The kid who rang up my purchase had never heard GOF. And this was at a shop that prides itself in being the most progressive (small) chain of music stores. With all the rehashed "post punk" rip off bands out there, it would be nice to see the granddaddies of post punk get their due props.
Michael J gave it a10:
Assertive, confident, crisp, live, energetic, timeless. and tight.
