PiL: This Is PiL (PiLOfficial PiL002)

Tracklisting: CD & 2xLP.
Side 1A: This Is PiL / One Drop / Deeper Water / Terra-Gate
Side 1B: Human / I Must Be Dreaming / It Said That
Side 2A: The Room I Am In / Lollipop Opera / Fool
Siide 2B: Reggie Song / Out Of The Woods

So, here it is, This Is PiL. It was a long hiatus, although it doesn’t feel like it has been. Strange, but it seems natural to have more PiL product. Perhaps because their output was always sporadic? Whatever the reason, there was plenty of expectation riding on this 12 track album.

Four of the tracks, One Drop, I Must Be Dreaming, The Room I Am In and Lollipop Opera are already available on the One Drop EP which I’ve previously reviewed. So what about the remaining eight?

This is PiL : “Lucky you. This is PiL, Public Image Limited.” The acoustic, hypnotic refrain, sticks with the listener as John screeches his announcement “You are now entering a PiL –zone.” As a set opener it reveals the landscape you are about to enter, providing a musical cornerstone for the rest of the album. Once you’ve heard the album, return to the start – This Is PiL acts as its index.

Deeper Water. A real high point. Atmospheric, with a mesmorising tune, and a defiant lyric. “Set the sails, stoke the boiler.” This is John determined to head into danger and survive and thrive. In many ways it embodies the philosophy of PiL 2012.

Terra-Gate. A punchy affair which explodes out of the blocks. Reminiscent in part to Attack (from Public Image) in ferocity, this is an intense, almost rocky sounding PiL. “Ego-gate. Separate into hate” spits John. A gem that cuts across many eras of PiL, from their debut LP, 1986’s Album or 1989’s classic 9. It’s sure to bring about a frenzied live crowd response.

Human. A broadside on our politicians “They’re not good enough for you... Trapped in a class system... I think England’s died.” He misses England’s “roses”, and yearns for a long lost simpler time, and does so with no shame. Lyrically, it evolves as the song progresses. Musically crisp, and sonically complimentary to the images evoked, it shows just how strong the new PiL are in capturing the edgy feel that’s been so compelling over PiL’s vast back catalogue.

It Said That. Another surprise – musically it is menacing but could easily be a film soundtrack theme. “It said what?” John enquiries. A clear swipe at journalistic nonsense and lies. Something John has had to endure his whole adult life. “That is not a fact. You can go shit in one’s sick if you listen to that.” No punches pulled.

Fool. “You made a fool out of me.” John's non conformity is on show. “Instinct is a physical act.... I don’t fit in... I’m a tool, under your rule... Fools get crushed.” Is he being ironic, conciliatory, or merely honest? By this point the album has established a musical identity of its own. Elements of old PiL are there – certainly the feeling of PiL past is there, but this incarnation are treading their own path – the use of unique instrumentation continually demanding your attention.

Reggie Song. A very up and positive song. “Shine like a beacon in the garden of Eden.” Lu Edmonds turns in a terrific performance with a mixture of subtle, intricate guitar, loud and quiet in equal measure building up to a satisfyingly noisy, clattering end.

Out Of The Woods. Clocking in close on a whopping 10 minutes, the set closer is underpinned by a trademark PiL bass line that stretches back via Fat Chance Hotel to Poptones. Soaked in historical Civil War battle imagery and sound with references to Chancellorsville and Stonewall Jackson, this is new PiL at their dynamic best. Choppy vocal delivery backed by busy, razor sharp guitar and mandolin, with solid military percussion, it’s the perfect way to close the album – in battle mode, against the odds.

With Public Image Limited, one listen just isn’t enough. It never has been. Play This Is PiL repeatedly and soak up the splendour; there is a lot to take in and explore. I’ve been listening to the double LP vinyl pressing (which is housed in a glossy and colourful high quality gatefold sleeve). The warmth and energy get better with every play, as does the appreciation of how accomplished the performances are. How does it rate against previous PiL highpoints? It’s impossible to say; no two stages in PiL’s existence have been easy to compare, and this is no different. Enjoy it.

This Is PiL. No more words are necessary, other than to say, welcome back.  

Review by Phil Singleton (May 2012)

PiL: This Is PiL / There Is A PiL In Heaven   CD/DVD (PiLOfficial PiL 002 CDX)

There Is A PiL In Heaven tracklist:  Deeper Water / This is not a Love Song / Albatross / Reggie Song / Disappointed / Warrior / Religion / USLS1 / Death Disco / Flowers of Romance / Lollipop Opera / Bags-Chant / Out of the Woods / One Drop / Rise / Open Up

The limited edition CD/DVD release of This Is PiL is a rather special affair.  Packaged in a fold out, quality, heavy duty card sleeve, with integral booklet, it is a substantial item. In addition to the album, the extra here is the DVD, There is a PiL in Heaven, although to call it an extra hardly does it justice. For a start, it clocks in at 2 ½ hours. The performance is the recent (April 2nd 2012) show at Heaven Nightclub in London, the second of two consecutive nights at the venue.

The picture quality is excellent and the sound mix exceptional. The current PiL line-up has been together the best part of 3 years and it shows.  Having covered the full spectrum of PiL’s catalogue over the years, PiL elect not to churn out a greatest hits package, but to select specific songs and hone them into epics, thereby turning 17 songs into a full evening’s entertainment.

Of the established songs, Religion has developed a life of its own over the past couple of years with its bone shaking intensity, as has This Is Not A Love Song with the 21st century incarnation adding more body, flare, and fight to the proceedings. Special mentions also to Disappointed and Warrior – two irresistibly catchy  songs from the late eighties that have stood the test of time and sound as vibrant as they did all those years ago.

However, what is most intriguing about There Is A PiL In Heaven is the five new songs on show, particularly how they transfer to the live environment.

It would be easy to say they sit seamlessly alongside the songs from 30 years ago, but they do. This isn’t such a shock because PiL have, post hiatus, moulded – even remoulded –the classics into something unique to this line-up.

Once you are familiar with the album This Is PiL, the new material here is even more enjoyable.  Deeper Water opens the show with atmospheric confidence while Reggie Song lightens the mood, bringing you back to earth after Albatross has taken you on its trip to other worlds.  Lollipop Opera is sense tingling live; John with his loud hailer adding a touch of humour. One Drop is so well established already, it feels strange to call it new. It opens the encore effortlessly, before Rise and Open Up bring it all to a climax.

The one new track I’ve not yet mentioned I’ve saved until last; Out of the Woods. This has rapidly become my favourite song on the album with its rich imagery and accompanying soundscape – evoking America in 1863. PiL have managed to transport the splendour of the record into their live set, no mean achievement. Not sure why I’m surprised, these guys can play just about anything.

This package is great value and highly recommended. Get it while you can, along with the double vinyl LP.

Review by Phil Singleton (June 2012)