Hard

2008 digitally remastered reissue of the British Post-Punk band's fourth album, their final studio release before splitting, originally released in 1983. Hard may seem ironically titled in retrospect, given its concessions to the softer Dance-Pop styles of the period, but there are some great songs amid the then-de rigueur soulful female backing vocals, clinical machine beats and slapback bass. Despite the production sheen, 'I Fled' moves with the urgency of old, 'A Man With A Good Car' is a squealing delight, while 'Silver Lining' thrills with its Dub spaces and Funk echoes. And if 'It Don't Matter' sounds like a period piece, it's worth remembering that GOF were the original socialist funksters, enabling the likes of Wham! and Heaven 17 to exist. EMI.