Gang Of Four ‎– Shrinkwrapped CD

Rather than ridiculously attempt to revisit their classic Entertainment!, singer Jon King and guitarist Andy Gill , augmented by bassists Dean Garcia and Phil Butcher and drummers Monti and Dave Axford, retain only the use of harsh dance beats as the building block for Gill's terse blasts of clipped, jagged, circular-saw guitar. King's vocals are sweeter, kinder, and more soothing than the side-of-the-mouth style he once favored, and the melodies are more conventionally prominent, but he still conveys as much intent as any vintage moment on Solid Gold, and he's often all but buried in the mix, struggling to get out (signaling their uncompromising artistic intent, as if Albini was behind the board instead of Gill).
The single "Tattoo" is the obvious starting place, but it's more obtuse, patient, and unnerving stuff such as "I Parade Myself" (oh yes, the lyrics are as good as the title suggests; they do that well again too) and to a lesser extent "Showtime, Valentine" that forge their own new signature style. When bands come back from a decade of breakup, a passable LP is practically a victory. That Shrinkwrapped is a firecracker, and would be a firecracker no matter who made it, is cause for a goddamn party. That Andy Gill is a dangerous guitar player again is a particularly "stop the presses, prodigal returns" payoff.

Label: Castle Records ‎– 100-2

Country: US

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)
Plays great but has a few superficial marks