Like countless other New Wave bands (Human League, Spandau Ballet, Stranglers, New Order, Killing Joke, etc.) were also exposed to Gang of Four mid-80s certain fashionable trends. Following their seminal debut "Entertainment" (1979), the promising follow-up album "Solid Gold" (1981) and the masterpiece "Songs Of The Free" (1982) would have the not expected of them. For many of the swing from the brutal post-punk with his left politically tinged lyrics was with occasional string accompaniment simply incomprehensible towards shallow disco Leviathane. Naturally "Hard" when it was released was also equally panned by fans and critics.
How that looks after more than three decades of later?
"Hard" is certainly not as bad as initially thought, but there is no masterpiece. And "aged in dignity" of one can unfortunately not speak. Musically and from its structure, the songs are good to very good, but the arrangements often appear too smooth and polished. Too often one hears the time used like synth-drums and the handclap-effects that are now quite unfashionable.
But "Hard" also offers a few highlights. Above all, the economically instrumented "Woman Town" or "Man With A Good Car" and the fast "Independence", both of which go back a little more in the direction of good, and also "Silver Lining", the catchy chorus with and for Andy Gill can typically score, classic chopped guitar riffs.
The former single "Is It Love?", Of which there was also a remix of John "Jellybean" Benitez (former Madonna Producer) is a nice, harmless disco track that sounds as if Nile Rodgers his fingers had in the game. With Gang of Four would not associate this item spontaneously. Ever sounded then, as already mentioned above, bands like Human League, Heaven 17, Spandau Ballet, among others quite similar - and Gang of Four up also. But this phase was over and the next album "Mall" (1991) everything was almost back to normal.
Conclusion: As a Gang of Four fan should, if you did not stand's anyway long in the subject, very well draw a purchase into consideration. Even if "Hard" is generally regarded as the weakest album in the GoF discography because it offers one of its kind in a certain curiosity. And some good songs to be found here despite the short playing time.
For the rest: Who has this album so far not used, it will not need in the future; with coarser withdrawal symptoms is more likely not to be expected.
