Album Mini-review: Public Image Ltd — What the World Needs Now…
File Next to: The Fall, Killing Joke, Gang of Four
It’s been nearly forty years since Never Mind the Bollocks was released; try wrapping your mind around that fact. Back then, the idea that vocalist Johnny Rotten (neé John Lydon) would somehow carve out a career niche for himself would have been laughable. But in many ways, his post-Sex Pistols aggregations (a revolving lineup usually dubbed Public Image Ltd) were as musically groundbreaking as the Pistols, if not more so. On What the World Needs Now… Lydon shouts insistently while an aggressive band cranks out surprisingly melodic (yet menacing) one-chord jams. The phrasing on “Know Now” is reminiscent of some of the best moments on PiL’s generically-titled 1986 release, Album. Surf-n-spy guitar enlivens “Bettie Page.” Lydon’s caterwauling is a decidedly acquired taste, but the overall accessibility of this disc – combining elements of rock, no-wave, dub and hip-hop – renders it quite listener-friendly.
An edited version of this review appeared in the Colorado Springs Independent.
Follow “the_musoscribe” on 
Twitter and get notified
when new features, reviews and essays are published.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.