Second Edition
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Track listing
- 1 Albatross 10:32
- 2 Memories 5:06
- 3 Swan Lake 4:12
- 4 Poptones 7:46
- 5 Careering 4:32
- 6 Socialist 3:10
- 7 Graveyard 3:07
- 8 The Suit 3:31
- 9 Bad Baby 4:30
- 10 No Birds 4:42
- 11 Chant 5:00
- 12 Radio 4 4:23
- Total length: 60:31
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
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31 Issues
- Release view [combined information for all issues]
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Metal Box [p] 45 rpm, Box Set, Limited Edition
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Second Edition Gatefold
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Second Edition 33 rpm, Gatefold
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Second Edition. 33 rpm, Gatefold
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Second Edition Gatefold
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Second Edition 33 rpm, Gatefold
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Second Edition 33 rpm, Gatefold
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Second Edition Gatefold
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Second Edition 33 rpm, Gatefold
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Metal Box Metal Box - Second Edition1986 CD 3" 33C38-7947
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Metal Box Digital file, Streaming
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Second Edition Digital file, Streaming
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Second Edition Digital file, Streaming
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Metal Box 180 gram, 45 rpm, Limited Edition
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Second Edition 180 gram, 33 rpm, Gatefold, Remastered
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Metal Box Box Set, CD Sized Album Replica, Remastered
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Second Edition CD Sized Album Replica, Gatefold, Limited Edition, Remastered2011 CD TOCP-95071
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Second Edition. Remastered
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Second Edition. Limited Edition, Paper/Cardboard Sleeve, Remastered, SHM
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Metal Box Box Set, CD Sized Album Replica, Limited Edition, Remastered, SHM
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Second Edition CD Sized Album Replica, Limited Edition, Remastered, SHM
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Metal Box Remastered 4 Disc Super-Deluxe Edition Bonus CD, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Remastered
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Metal Box Super Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks, Digital file, Remastered, Streaming
5 Reviews
I like to have this on in the background all the time.
It's not background music by any means, it's very experimental stuff. But not too experimental, to the point where there's no structure. Jah Wobble's constant bass and the various drummers that appear on here provide a sturdy foundation for John Lydon's crazed, madman-esq lyrics ("Drive to the forest in a Japanese car/The smell of rubber on concrete tar/Hindsight done me no good/Standing naked in the back of the woods/The cassette played poptones") and, perhaps more importantly, his delivery, alongside Keith Levene's quite experimental work on the guitar and various synthesizers. Metal Box is part of the best kind of experimental rock, where there's at least some sort of backing for the musicians to create something completely novel and unexpected.
Getting back to Lydon here for just a minute, his part on here might just be the most experimental, and quite frankly groundbreaking, element to this record. Anyone can call themselves an avant-garde lyricist by screaming random nonsense into a microphone. Lydon not only has the great lyrics to make him a talented man (see the disturbing "Poptones," the harsh and accusing "Memories," or the paranoia-fulled "Careering"), but his vocal delivery is what makes him one-of-a-kind. His twisted vocals in "Memories" add a totally new element into the lyrics, revealing Lydon to be more than that especially angry man from the... well, that group. Everything is done here in an avant-garde method, and Lydon's vocals are no exception, adding another layer that often seems to be overlooked on other experimental rock records.
There aren't really any "weak" songs to speak of here. The Suit can feel like Lydon just going on a tirade about some poser (or whatever they called "them" back in the 70s) with Jah Wobble playing next to him. Its rather enh. But it proves something about this album, when you think about it. This was supposed to be the most anti-commercial album out there from a band that was led by a man who was once the face of one of the biggest bands a few years earlier, and had released two singles with this band that had gone into the Top 40 (Public Image / The Cowboy Song and Death Disco / No Birds Do Sing). And it fully succeeded in its task. This album functions as a singular entity, and really needs to be experienced as such. The Suit, by itself, isn't good. But after listening to Lydon and company (no pun intended) for around 40 minutes, it sounds as though it's only right that they should have Lydon going into a rant about some bloke he doesn't particularly care for. It's a level of lyrical delivery and experimentation that was perfect for a truly avant-garde record like Metal Box.
It's not background music by any means, it's very experimental stuff. But not too experimental, to the point where there's no structure. Jah Wobble's constant bass and the various drummers that appear on here provide a sturdy foundation for John Lydon's crazed, madman-esq lyrics ("Drive to the forest in a Japanese car/The smell of rubber on concrete tar/Hindsight done me no good/Standing naked in the back of the woods/The cassette played poptones") and, perhaps more importantly, his delivery, alongside Keith Levene's quite experimental work on the guitar and various synthesizers. Metal Box is part of the best kind of experimental rock, where there's at least some sort of backing for the musicians to create something completely novel and unexpected.
Getting back to Lydon here for just a minute, his part on here might just be the most experimental, and quite frankly groundbreaking, element to this record. Anyone can call themselves an avant-garde lyricist by screaming random nonsense into a microphone. Lydon not only has the great lyrics to make him a talented man (see the disturbing "Poptones," the harsh and accusing "Memories," or the paranoia-fulled "Careering"), but his vocal delivery is what makes him one-of-a-kind. His twisted vocals in "Memories" add a totally new element into the lyrics, revealing Lydon to be more than that especially angry man from the... well, that group. Everything is done here in an avant-garde method, and Lydon's vocals are no exception, adding another layer that often seems to be overlooked on other experimental rock records.
There aren't really any "weak" songs to speak of here. The Suit can feel like Lydon just going on a tirade about some poser (or whatever they called "them" back in the 70s) with Jah Wobble playing next to him. Its rather enh. But it proves something about this album, when you think about it. This was supposed to be the most anti-commercial album out there from a band that was led by a man who was once the face of one of the biggest bands a few years earlier, and had released two singles with this band that had gone into the Top 40 (Public Image / The Cowboy Song and Death Disco / No Birds Do Sing). And it fully succeeded in its task. This album functions as a singular entity, and really needs to be experienced as such. The Suit, by itself, isn't good. But after listening to Lydon and company (no pun intended) for around 40 minutes, it sounds as though it's only right that they should have Lydon going into a rant about some bloke he doesn't particularly care for. It's a level of lyrical delivery and experimentation that was perfect for a truly avant-garde record like Metal Box.
Published
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This is not rock music. But then again, it was never intended to be. PiL saw themselves as conceptual modern artists in the vein of the Dadaists of the 20s or the Situationalists of the 60s and their goal was always to challenge what they saw as a society of intellectually lazy and complacent consumers. Lydon originally tried to do this with the pure confrontational rage of the Sex Pistols, but after being frustrated by its limitations as well as the increasing hypocracy of what he thought was happening with punk, moved on to the more intellectual and arty approach of Public Image Ltd.
Metal Box/Second Edition mixes equal parts Krautrock, dub-reggae's bass sound and the experimentalism of artists like Throbbing Gristle to create one of the defining moments of "post-punk". It is highly rhythmic, with Jah Wobble's way-forward-in-the-mix molasses-thick basslines and Richard Dudanski's (among others) martial drumming serving as a foundation for Keith Levine to splatter Jackson Pollack-like drips and shards of metallic guitar or electronics overtop. Lydon's nasal, stream of conciousness bleating about all that disgusts him is pushed forward or back in the mix, depending on the track. It's bleak. It's difficult. It's challenging. But it's still very interesting, and in an odd way, dancable.
Since for PiL this was a complete project, both visually, sonically and conceptually, they intended Metal Box/Second Edition to set itself apart and confront what was being marketed as rock (both as music and as product) at the time. The original idea for the sleeve (which was refused by their label) was for it to be made of sandpaper so that it would damage any other albums in the collection that would come in contact with it, but they eventually settled on the film canister idea. So by being released as a double album (or CD) in a standard sleeve, it loses a bit of its impact. Even though it is a great album regardless of format, if you have a turntable and can find a copy of Metal Box (a replica re-pressing was released in 2006), buy it instead.
Metal Box/Second Edition mixes equal parts Krautrock, dub-reggae's bass sound and the experimentalism of artists like Throbbing Gristle to create one of the defining moments of "post-punk". It is highly rhythmic, with Jah Wobble's way-forward-in-the-mix molasses-thick basslines and Richard Dudanski's (among others) martial drumming serving as a foundation for Keith Levine to splatter Jackson Pollack-like drips and shards of metallic guitar or electronics overtop. Lydon's nasal, stream of conciousness bleating about all that disgusts him is pushed forward or back in the mix, depending on the track. It's bleak. It's difficult. It's challenging. But it's still very interesting, and in an odd way, dancable.
Since for PiL this was a complete project, both visually, sonically and conceptually, they intended Metal Box/Second Edition to set itself apart and confront what was being marketed as rock (both as music and as product) at the time. The original idea for the sleeve (which was refused by their label) was for it to be made of sandpaper so that it would damage any other albums in the collection that would come in contact with it, but they eventually settled on the film canister idea. So by being released as a double album (or CD) in a standard sleeve, it loses a bit of its impact. Even though it is a great album regardless of format, if you have a turntable and can find a copy of Metal Box (a replica re-pressing was released in 2006), buy it instead.
Published
A solid future candidate for my "6 stars" tag. But not quite yet. The fact that I waffle on it says that maybe it's merely 5 stars.
Published
One of those records that is really important in the scope of music,but does nothing for me. The bass playing is interesting,But where are the melodies? It's just the same bass line over and over and over,. Also, Lydon's voice is absolutely grating,But I suppose that's the point. I do own this because it's an important record, But I almost never listen to it.
Best Song(s): Careering
Best Song(s): Careering
Published
Second Edition is the US version of the UK release, Metal Box. It's all about the sound - strong bass and high end, with virtually no mid-range - a droning, throbbing noisefest that perfectly matches the bleak lyrics. Definitely an acquired taste, but worth the effort.
Published
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Catalog
6 Jun 2023
10 Dec 2022
24 Apr 2022
3 Oct 2021
11 Apr 2021
4 Dec 2020
16 Aug 2020
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1
Albatross
-
2
Memories
-
3
Swan Lake
-
4
Poptones
-
5
Careering
-
6
Socialist
-
7
Graveyard
-
8
The Suit
-
9
Bad Baby
-
10
No Birds
-
11
Chant
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12
Radio 4
21 Jun 2020
20 May 2020
6 May 2020
26 Mar 2020
22 Oct 2019
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1
Albatross
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2
Memories
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3
Swan Lake
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4
Poptones
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5
Careering
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6
Socialist
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7
Graveyard
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8
The Suit
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9
Bad Baby
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10
No Birds
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11
Chant
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12
Radio 4
15 Oct 2019
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1
Albatross
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2
Memories
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3
Swan Lake
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4
Poptones
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5
Careering
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6
Socialist
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7
Graveyard
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8
The Suit
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9
Bad Baby
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10
No Birds
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11
Chant
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12
Radio 4
3 Oct 2018
21 Sep 2018
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