Sure, they could have made another Solid Gold, but why? It could just have lessen the previous impact of the work. Instead the transition into pop appeared more of a challenge; to perfectly bridge the gap of pop and political awareness by giving in to a more accessible sound.

Granted, like many who heard the album at first, I was saddened and disinterested in what seemed like a major sell-out of creativity. Why did they change the great sound they had forged? Couldn't they have just split up or at least change the name of the band? My favorite group suddenly sucked.

I kept the record (probably for some completist reason) and tried to make sense of it. And with repeated listens, something start to click within the songs. I found the lyrics to be some of the most desperate, urgent and introspective ever for a band. The music had some jagged edge still, but it was mostly washed over by post-production. Despite this, the sound was not right in someway, as if it was almost one beat off or something, too dancey for Art Punk and too Art Punk to dance to. It was the sound of a group on the verge of selling-out to the public and at the same time like a group trying to retain their indentity. It was as if Gang Of Four searched for a middle ground.

Unfortunity, the investigation into pop became too obvious and produced 2 horrrible records (Hard and even worse, Mall). So, check out the first 2 recordings by the band before any others.

But Gang Of Four should always be remembered for trying to move forward, even if they stumbled.

Lost all their credit
Gang of Four lost all their credit completely when they released this album. At first their fans (me included) got excited by the rough sound of Entertainment!, then we liked the slightly-toned-down but still "edgey" and sophisticated "Solid Gold". When "Songs of the free" came out, traces of this undescribable quality could be found in the opening track, "I love a man in uniform", which also shows some sense of humor. Nothing of that sort is found in any of the other songs. It was SO dissappointing... I tried to listen to it a few times more over the years to see if there was some hidden quality somewhere, and there wasn't.

A related note: It seems like GOF got tired of their "old" rough sound, and tried to do something more rythmic, like the shift that New Order did when they stopped trying to be Joy Division. There's nothing wrong with it. But apparently it takes some time to get it right. Fans of that sound might like "Shrinkwrapped" better than "Songs of the free". Maybe even I could like it :-)

A must have album of a must have punk band
"Songs of the Free" was released after some harder-edged albums like Entertainment and Solid Gold. This still has the "Gang Of Four" sound, and does not degrade because it is a little richer and less minimalist. It certainly has an eighties flavor, however it also feels timeless. The hard-biting guitar is still there, as well as the excellent rhythm section with strong base lines and solid drum beats. Andy Gill's lyrics are as thick, powerful, and woundingly true as ever.
"I Love A Man In A Uniform" is a classic song, delving into the military mindset. "The History Of The World" cynically sums up not only our times, but all times past. "Muscle For Brains" is an anthem against all those who would act in the your interest in their interest of control. Every song on this album is great, and it is only a bonus that the dub version of "I Love A Man In A Uniform" is included.
The one negative about this particular version, is that it is a collectible, original release, at a large price because of it. However, it has since been re-released on "Infinite Zero Archive", and should be available used at a far depleted price in comparison to this version. Probably only used as well, but check out the Z-shops or elsewhere if "Infinite Zero" version is not available.