More than 30 years after their revered breakout and 16 years after their last studio effort, post-punk veterans
Gang of Four returned with a new album, funded by fan donations. While the integral rhythm section of Dave Allen and
Hugo Burnham have been out of the picture since the ‘80s (with the exception of some live shows and a re-recording session for Return the Gift), a new incarnation for 1995’s Shrinkwrapped showed that founding members
Jon King (vocals) and
Andy Gill (guitar) could keep the music aggressive and interesting. With bassist Thomas McNeice and drummer Mark Heaney on board for 2011’s
Content, performances are generally middling, but a few songs show a glimmer of the band’s former jagged glory, particularly the opening “She Said 'You Made a Thing of Me,'" the upbeat "Who Am I?," and the caustic "I Can't Forget Your Lonely Face." ~ Jason Lymangrover