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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
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| 1. Public Image | |||
| 2. The Cowboy Song | |||
| 3. Theme | |||
| 4. Religion I | |||
| 5. Religion II | |||
See all 15 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Another | |||
| 2. Albatross | |||
| 3. Socialist | |||
| 4. The Suit | |||
| 5. Bad Baby | |||
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See all 17 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. This Is Not A Love Song (12'' Remix) | |||
| 2. Blue Water | |||
| 3. Bad Life (Single Version) | |||
| 4. Question Mark | |||
| 5. Solitaire | |||
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See all 16 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 4 | |||
| 1. Seattle | |||
| 2. Angry | |||
| 3. The Body (US 12'' Mix) | |||
| 4. Selfish Rubbish | |||
| 5. Disappointed | |||
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See all 16 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
All Music
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.
CD Description
A complete box set spanning Public Image's entire career, including exclusive live sessions and remastered tracks.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
'Plastic box' is odd in that it seems designed to replace the first five PiL studio albums, collecting all of them in one place. All of 'Flowers of romance' is included, but then the other four ('First issue', 'Metal box', 'This is what you want', 'Album') are each almost wholly present, but each with a track or two absent. If you want 'Fodderstompf' you'll have to buy 'First issue'. If you want 'Bags' you'll have to buy 'Album'. I can't see any logic in this. The policy changes for the fourth disc, wherein excerpts from the last three albums are crushed into 70-odd minutes. Perhaps all of 'Plastic box' should have been done this way, as this disc also has more rare material than the other three.
If you are interested in PiL but don't own the individual albums, then 'Plastic box' is a steal. For longtime PiL fans, though, this set includes perhaps too much of what they'll already own and not enough unreleased tracks.
The previous reviewer has already mentioned the rarities that are missing, so I won't repeat those. The ones that ARE included are:
- most of the non-album B-sides: 'The cowboy song', 'Another' ('Graveyard' with vocals), 'Home is where the heart is' (hardly a rarity, as it's been a bonus track on the 'Flowers of romance' CD for years), 'Blue water' (the only track from the 'Commercial zone' bootleg album ever to get an official release), 'Question mark' and 'Selfish rubbish'
- a three-song Peel session (the packaging just says 'BBC session') - the date was actually 17 December 1979
- the 12" of 'Death disco' and its B-side, '1/2 mix meg[g]amix' (a version of 'Fodderstompf')
- 'Pied Piper' (a rare 1980 compilation track, and possibly the first recording from after Jah Wobble's departure)
- 'This is not a love song' - here labelled '12" remix', but this mix is unique to 'Plastic box'. It's similar to the unreleased 'Commercial zone' version in that the lyrics are incomplete
- 'Criminal' (from the 'Point break' soundtrack)
- 12" mixes of 'The body' and 'Warrior' (NB: both of these are different to the remixes on 'The greatest hits so far')
- a four-song BBC session (again, no details given, but it was for Mark Goodier, 25 February 1992)
Almost all of these are worth having, and fill the gaps between the studio albums. The likes of 'Question mark' and 'Pied Piper' are experiments rather than songs, which is fine with me. The only real duffer is 'Selfish rubbish', an awful song from PiL's most overproduced period in the late '80s.
[A note on this reissue: it is NOT the same as the original 1999 edition. Firstly, it lacks the PVC slipcase which fastened around the double-jewelcase - here, you get the double-jewelcase on its own. Secondly, I gather from the excellent PiL fansite Fodderstompf that the original 36-page booklet included photographs of PiL artwork and promotional items. This has been chopped-down to a flimsy, pictureless 8-page insert. You get some scattily-edited quotes from Lydon, and that's all. There are no recording/release dates, no songwriting/production credits, no lineups (this would have been especially useful, given that it's so hard to keep track of PiL's countless configurations), no lyrics. For a boxed set, these omissions are appalling.]
If you are interested in PiL but don't own the individual albums, then 'Plastic box' is a steal. For longtime PiL fans, though, this set includes perhaps too much of what they'll already own and not enough unreleased tracks.
The previous reviewer has already mentioned the rarities that are missing, so I won't repeat those. The ones that ARE included are:
- most of the non-album B-sides: 'The cowboy song', 'Another' ('Graveyard' with vocals), 'Home is where the heart is' (hardly a rarity, as it's been a bonus track on the 'Flowers of romance' CD for years), 'Blue water' (the only track from the 'Commercial zone' bootleg album ever to get an official release), 'Question mark' and 'Selfish rubbish'
- a three-song Peel session (the packaging just says 'BBC session') - the date was actually 17 December 1979
- the 12" of 'Death disco' and its B-side, '1/2 mix meg[g]amix' (a version of 'Fodderstompf')
- 'Pied Piper' (a rare 1980 compilation track, and possibly the first recording from after Jah Wobble's departure)
- 'This is not a love song' - here labelled '12" remix', but this mix is unique to 'Plastic box'. It's similar to the unreleased 'Commercial zone' version in that the lyrics are incomplete
- 'Criminal' (from the 'Point break' soundtrack)
- 12" mixes of 'The body' and 'Warrior' (NB: both of these are different to the remixes on 'The greatest hits so far')
- a four-song BBC session (again, no details given, but it was for Mark Goodier, 25 February 1992)
Almost all of these are worth having, and fill the gaps between the studio albums. The likes of 'Question mark' and 'Pied Piper' are experiments rather than songs, which is fine with me. The only real duffer is 'Selfish rubbish', an awful song from PiL's most overproduced period in the late '80s.
[A note on this reissue: it is NOT the same as the original 1999 edition. Firstly, it lacks the PVC slipcase which fastened around the double-jewelcase - here, you get the double-jewelcase on its own. Secondly, I gather from the excellent PiL fansite Fodderstompf that the original 36-page booklet included photographs of PiL artwork and promotional items. This has been chopped-down to a flimsy, pictureless 8-page insert. You get some scattily-edited quotes from Lydon, and that's all. There are no recording/release dates, no songwriting/production credits, no lineups (this would have been especially useful, given that it's so hard to keep track of PiL's countless configurations), no lyrics. For a boxed set, these omissions are appalling.]
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There is no way this set could receive anything less than 5 stars, if nothing else, because the material is as good and as important as it is. That said, there are some significant omissions. This is not the fault of the band members, but rather that of the record label. In fact, John Lydon and Martin Atkins both stated their desire to have more in the way of rare material contained on this 4-CD boxed set; however, and as is usually the case, the record company had the final say.
The first giant ommission is the album Commercial Zone (the last studio album to feature Keith Levene, but never officially released). Unfortunately, its inclusion was never a possibility. Besides the bad blood that exists between the band members, there are licensing issues involved that will keep this title forever in unofficial bootleg or download world. It does appear (along with outtakes) on a long out-of-print Japanese issue: Never Mind the Public Image. Amazon.com lists it as 'currently unavailable' but you might have some luck if you Google the title and find a Japanese site that still has it available.
The remaining tracks from the vaults that could have appeared, but didn't, are another matter. These include:
- 7" version of Memories, which is completely different from the album version
- Albatross (complete Monitor Mix), Death Disco (complete Monitor Mix) and Albatross (the Melodrama Mix); all available as bonus tracks on John Lydon's DVD
- Vampire (a famous outtake from the Flowers of Romance album)
- Flowers of Romance (instrumental version from 12" single)
- Rise (instrumental B-side from Single)
- Religion '87 & The Suit '87 (tracks from the unrealized Renovations project, which is just as well... these attempts to reinvent previous versions featuring Keith Levene and Jah Wobble were not very sucessful)
- various Happy and Warrior 12" remixes
- Live At The Ritz (a full live album and once intended for release)
Despite missing much, it has plenty, to include outtakes, unreleased one-off tracks, two Peel Sessions and various remixes. This is a reissue of a long out-of-print set, which up until now has commanded very high prices for new and used copies. That alone says a lot about this set's value. Previously, much of its contents were never available before on CD.
Despite some overlap with official albums still available, this set is certainly worth it for completists due to the sheer volume of unique tracks, and it is the best possible introduction to the music of Public Image Limited for newcomers. Very highly recommended.
The first giant ommission is the album Commercial Zone (the last studio album to feature Keith Levene, but never officially released). Unfortunately, its inclusion was never a possibility. Besides the bad blood that exists between the band members, there are licensing issues involved that will keep this title forever in unofficial bootleg or download world. It does appear (along with outtakes) on a long out-of-print Japanese issue: Never Mind the Public Image. Amazon.com lists it as 'currently unavailable' but you might have some luck if you Google the title and find a Japanese site that still has it available.
The remaining tracks from the vaults that could have appeared, but didn't, are another matter. These include:
- 7" version of Memories, which is completely different from the album version
- Albatross (complete Monitor Mix), Death Disco (complete Monitor Mix) and Albatross (the Melodrama Mix); all available as bonus tracks on John Lydon's DVD
- Vampire (a famous outtake from the Flowers of Romance album)
- Flowers of Romance (instrumental version from 12" single)
- Rise (instrumental B-side from Single)
- Religion '87 & The Suit '87 (tracks from the unrealized Renovations project, which is just as well... these attempts to reinvent previous versions featuring Keith Levene and Jah Wobble were not very sucessful)
- various Happy and Warrior 12" remixes
- Live At The Ritz (a full live album and once intended for release)
Despite missing much, it has plenty, to include outtakes, unreleased one-off tracks, two Peel Sessions and various remixes. This is a reissue of a long out-of-print set, which up until now has commanded very high prices for new and used copies. That alone says a lot about this set's value. Previously, much of its contents were never available before on CD.
Despite some overlap with official albums still available, this set is certainly worth it for completists due to the sheer volume of unique tracks, and it is the best possible introduction to the music of Public Image Limited for newcomers. Very highly recommended.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A few thoughts on this brillantly priced Public Image Ltd boxset...
1.Johnny Rotten,John Lydon....with time even the most obnoxious rebels seem to cuddle up to the bosom of mainstream acceptance.
Over the years i do kind of feel embarrassed for Lydon as he is wheeled out in interviews as a rent a gob,at times it borders on the drunk uncle dancing at a wedding scenario.
I don't begrudge his blooming status as a national treasure of sorts,lordy knows he has earnt it i just don't know about the butter adverts,the interviews where Lydon addresses the state of a country he no longer lives in and hasn't for a long time.
Believe it or not Lydon,however he presents it lives in relative affluence,is married to a millionaire heiress and has an extensive property portfolio.
2.The first cd of this box set is simply awesome.I think it covers tracks off the first albums and a few live cuts.The absolute epitome of post punk music as i believe to know it.Public Image,Religion,Theme,Death Disco...immense,brilliant music that cuts,grooves,screams....iconoclastic,visceral stuff.
3.When i read Lydon's autobiography i remember coming away thinking there is so much more to the guy then the belching,boozed up persona.It in fact became very clear Lydon hides behind this persona.He is rather sensitive and insecure to be honest.
Its a shame i think this over shadows his work and the innovation of it.
4.You have another three discs containing further tracks off such albums as Flowers Of Romance,Album,Happy?Its a stonking set though i know albums aren't in full so i may have to purchase actual albums individually.Never the less its a good introductory set at great price.
5.I am now very much looking forward to the new album out later this month.
6.Bless John Lydon,sod all the faults the guys a king amongst men.
1.Johnny Rotten,John Lydon....with time even the most obnoxious rebels seem to cuddle up to the bosom of mainstream acceptance.
Over the years i do kind of feel embarrassed for Lydon as he is wheeled out in interviews as a rent a gob,at times it borders on the drunk uncle dancing at a wedding scenario.
I don't begrudge his blooming status as a national treasure of sorts,lordy knows he has earnt it i just don't know about the butter adverts,the interviews where Lydon addresses the state of a country he no longer lives in and hasn't for a long time.
Believe it or not Lydon,however he presents it lives in relative affluence,is married to a millionaire heiress and has an extensive property portfolio.
2.The first cd of this box set is simply awesome.I think it covers tracks off the first albums and a few live cuts.The absolute epitome of post punk music as i believe to know it.Public Image,Religion,Theme,Death Disco...immense,brilliant music that cuts,grooves,screams....iconoclastic,visceral stuff.
3.When i read Lydon's autobiography i remember coming away thinking there is so much more to the guy then the belching,boozed up persona.It in fact became very clear Lydon hides behind this persona.He is rather sensitive and insecure to be honest.
Its a shame i think this over shadows his work and the innovation of it.
4.You have another three discs containing further tracks off such albums as Flowers Of Romance,Album,Happy?Its a stonking set though i know albums aren't in full so i may have to purchase actual albums individually.Never the less its a good introductory set at great price.
5.I am now very much looking forward to the new album out later this month.
6.Bless John Lydon,sod all the faults the guys a king amongst men.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
fascinating
This is an astonishing collection that as a whole does some justice to some of it`s individual parts. Read more
Published 20 months ago by HeavyDutyTrellis
Great for new and old PIL fans alike
Plastic box exellent value from Amazon containing 4 CDs spanning the whole of their career inclusive of many alternative tracks. Supprised how much I've been listening to this set. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by P A Turner
The definitive PiL collection
Now this is really worth putting your hand in your wallet for. Four cd's, 68 tracks and a little book containing the history of Pil to add to the bundle. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2000
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