First Issue

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First Issue
Studio album by Public Image Ltd.
Released	December 8, 1978
Recorded	The Manor Studio (Shipton-on-Cherwell) Wessex Studios, Gooseberry Sound Studios, Townhouse Studios, Advision Studios (London) (July-November 1978)
Genre	Post punk
Length	39:54
Label	Virgin Records
Producer	Public Image Ltd
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Robert Christgau (A-) link
Public Image Ltd. chronology
First Issue (1978) Metal Box (1979)

First Issue (also Public Image) is a post punk album by Public Image Ltd. released in 1978 by Virgin Records.

Contents 1 Recording Sessions 2 Notes 3 Track listing 4 Personnel 5 External links

[edit] Recording Sessions

The album was recorded between July and November 1978 at different studios. The song "Public Image" was recorded first (the backing track at Advision Studios plus vocals and mixing at Wessex Studios) in July 1978. The whole of the first side of the record was then recorded in autumn at Townhouse Studios and The Manor Studio. The last three songs on the second side were recorded at Gooseberry Sound Studios, a cheap demo studio used because the band ran out of money.

[edit] Notes

First Issue is described by critics of that time, and even by some of the band members, as a mostly effortless recording, because of the pressure given by the record company. Though most of the songs resemble to some extent the familiar punk sound of the Sex Pistols, it also explored experimental genres, such as dub music and Krautrock. Despite its contemporary criticism, First Issue was well received by the fans of Public Image Ltd. and seen in hindsight to have been a ground-breaking and artistically successful work.

In March 2005, Q magazine placed the song "Public Image" at number 45 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. In this article, it was also claimed that the album had been used by psychiatrists in the treatment of depressive patients to show them that they were not alone.

[edit] Track listing

1. "Theme" – 9:05
2. "Religion I" – 1:40
3. "Religion II" – 5:40
4. "Annalisa" – 6:00
5. "Public Image" – 2:58
6. "Low Life" – 3:35
7. "Attack" – 2:55
8. "Fodderstompf" – 7:40

[edit] Personnel

• John Lydon - Vocals
• Keith Levene - Guitar
• Jah Wobble - Bass; Vocals on "Fodderstompf"
• Jim Walker - Drums

[edit] External links

• Fodderstompf (fan-based site with extensive discographical information)