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Most who own Plastic Box probably use the second half as coasters. Those who don't probably get headaches when listening to the first two, and a select few find much to love about the whole thing. As if conceding to the consensus that PiL's early years were their best, the first half is devoted to the band's first three studio LPs cut over four years, while the second half covers the remainder. Listeners get the entirety of Public Image/First Edition sans "Fodderstompf." The majority of Metal Box (issued as Second Edition in the U.S.) is included, with three of the original versions sacrificed for Peel Session counterparts that really take the cake. "Careering" is especially wonderful and harrowing, arguably the collective's finest recorded moment. Keith Levene goes bonkers with the keyboards, perhaps fostering the increased intensity amongst the remaining members. The 12" mix of "Swan Lake" ("Death Disco") gets the box set upgrade too, as well as a couple other worthwhile Metal Box outtakes. Closing out the second disc is the entirety of The Flowers of Romance, sequentially shuffled with an additional non-album track. The second half of Plastic Box hits upon each of the remaining studio LPs, with the odd rarity, single mix and Peel Session thrown in for completist bait. For those who want improved sound over their early CD issues, the money spent is a smart investment. A quick comparison of the first 20 seconds of "Annalisa" to the version found on an old copy of Public Image should be evidence enough; the bassline of "Chant" makes the gut feel as if it's being endlessly pummelled by a bouncing battering ram. Though vast and relatively pricey, Plastic Box is an excellent introduction, if only for the adventurous.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo
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Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1978 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Composer - John Wardle, Composer - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, Composer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Walker, Composer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1978 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1978 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1978 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1978 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1978 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1978 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Producer, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1978 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Tony Wilson, Producer - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Dave Dade, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 BBC
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Tony Wilson, Producer - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Dave Dade, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 BBC
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Tony Wilson, Producer - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Dave Dade, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Dudanski, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 BBC
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Composer - John Wardle, Composer - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, Composer - Jim Walker, Composer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Richard Dudanski, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Richard Dudanski, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
DISC 2
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Richard Nother, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Composer - John Wardle, Composer - Richard Dudanski, Composer - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, Composer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, Composer - John Wardle, Composer - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, Composer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1979 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Newshoes, ComposerLyricist - Mick Glossop, Producer - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1980 Virgin Records Limited
Stephen Jones, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist - Glen Matlock, ComposerLyricist - Paul Cook, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - John Wardle, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist - Jim Walker, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1981 Virgin Records Limited
DISC 3
Bob Miller, Producer - Martin Atkins, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited
Bob Miller, Producer - Martin Atkins, Composer - Keith Levene, Composer - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, Composer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, Composer, Producer - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Composer, Producer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Martin Atkins, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Keith Levene, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited
Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Bill Laswell, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1986 Virgin Records Limited
Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist - Bill Laswell, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1986 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Schulz, ComposerLyricist - Jebin Bruni, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Bill Laswell, Producer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1986 Virgin Records Limited
Mark Schulz, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Bill Laswell, Producer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1986 Virgin Records Limited
Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Bill Laswell, Producer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1986 Virgin Records Limited
Jebin Bruni, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, MainArtist - John Lydon, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Bill Laswell, Producer
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1986 Virgin Records Limited
DISC 4
Bruce Smith, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Langan, Producer - Alan Dias, ComposerLyricist - Allan Dias, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John McGeoch, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Eric "E.T." Thorngren, Remixer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Edmonds, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1987 Virgin Records Limited
Bruce Smith, ComposerLyricist - Gary Langan, Producer - Alan Dias, ComposerLyricist - John McGeoch, ComposerLyricist - Public Image Limited, Producer, MainArtist - John Lydon, ComposerLyricist - Robert Edmonds, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd This label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved. (C) 1999 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1987 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
Most who own Plastic Box probably use the second half as coasters. Those who don't probably get headaches when listening to the first two, and a select few find much to love about the whole thing. As if conceding to the consensus that PiL's early years were their best, the first half is devoted to the band's first three studio LPs cut over four years, while the second half covers the remainder. Listeners get the entirety of Public Image/First Edition sans "Fodderstompf." The majority of Metal Box (issued as Second Edition in the U.S.) is included, with three of the original versions sacrificed for Peel Session counterparts that really take the cake. "Careering" is especially wonderful and harrowing, arguably the collective's finest recorded moment. Keith Levene goes bonkers with the keyboards, perhaps fostering the increased intensity amongst the remaining members. The 12" mix of "Swan Lake" ("Death Disco") gets the box set upgrade too, as well as a couple other worthwhile Metal Box outtakes. Closing out the second disc is the entirety of The Flowers of Romance, sequentially shuffled with an additional non-album track. The second half of Plastic Box hits upon each of the remaining studio LPs, with the odd rarity, single mix and Peel Session thrown in for completist bait. For those who want improved sound over their early CD issues, the money spent is a smart investment. A quick comparison of the first 20 seconds of "Annalisa" to the version found on an old copy of Public Image should be evidence enough; the bassline of "Chant" makes the gut feel as if it's being endlessly pummelled by a bouncing battering ram. Though vast and relatively pricey, Plastic Box is an excellent introduction, if only for the adventurous.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo
About the album
- 4 disc(s) - 64 track(s)
- Total length: 05:02:36
- Main artists: Public Image Ltd.
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: One Up
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1999 Virgin Records Limited This Compilation ℗ 1999 Virgin Records Limited
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