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{{more footnotes|date=July 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
| Name = This Is PiL
| name = This Is PiL
| Type = Album
| type = Album
| Artist = [[Public Image Ltd]]
| artist = [[Public Image Ltd]]
| Cover = PiL This Is PiL.jpg
| cover = PiL This Is PiL.jpg
| Released = 28 May 2012
| alt =
| released = 28 May 2012
⚫
| Recorded = July–August 2011, Wincraft Studios, [[Cotswolds]], England
| recorded = July–August 2011
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[post-punk]]
| Length = 64:09
| venue =
⚫
| studio = Wincraft Studios, [[Cotswolds]], England
| Label = PiL official
| Producer = [[Public Image Ltd]]
| genre = [[Post-punk]], [[experimental rock]]
| length = 64:09
⚫
| Last album = ''[[That What Is Not]]''<br />(1992)
| This album = '''''This is PiL'''''<br />(2012)
| label = PiL Official Ltd
| producer = [[Public Image Ltd]]
| Next album =
⚫
| prev_title = [[That What Is Not]]
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = [[What the World Needs Now...]]
| next_year = 2015
}}
}}
'''''This is PiL''''' is the ninth studio album by British rock band [[Public Image Ltd]]. Their first studio album in 20 years,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20120214_pil.shtml | first=Matt | last=Everitt |author2=Larkin, Adrian | title= Public Image Ltd will release their first album in 20 years later this year | publisher= BBC | date=14 February 2012}}</ref> it was released on 28 May 2012 on band's own label, PiL Official. A limited deluxe edition of the album was released with a live DVD entitled ''There is a PiL in Heaven''.<ref name="officialpage">[http://www.pilofficial.com/thisispil.html "This is PiL"] ''pilofficial.com''</ref>
'''''This is PiL''''' is the ninth studio album by British rock band [[Public Image Ltd]]. Their first studio album in 20 years,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20120214_pil.shtml | first=Matt | last=Everitt |author2=Larkin, Adrian | title= Public Image Ltd will release their first album in 20 years later this year | publisher= BBC | date=14 February 2012}}</ref> it was released on 28 May 2012 on band's own label, PiL Official. A limited deluxe edition of the album was released with a live DVD entitled ''There is a PiL in Heaven''.<ref name="officialpage">[http://www.pilofficial.com/thisispil.html "This is PiL"] ''pilofficial.com''</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
Public Image Ltd returned in 2009, after a 17-year hiatus. [[John Lydon]] financed the reunion using money he earned doing a UK TV commercial for [[Dairy Crest|Country Life]] butter. He said "The money that I earned from that has now gone completely – lock stock and barrel – into reforming PiL".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/John+Lydon%3A+Public+Image+Limited/|title = John Lydon: Public Image Limited|publisher=[[SuicideGirls.com]]|date = 10 April 2010}}</ref>
Public Image Ltd returned in 2009, after a 17-year hiatus. [[John Lydon]] financed the reunion using money he earned doing a UK TV commercial for [[Dairy Crest|Country Life]] butter. He said "The money that I earned from that has now gone completely – lock stock and barrel – into reforming PiL".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/John+Lydon%3A+Public+Image+Limited/|title = John Lydon: Public Image Limited|publisher=[[SuicideGirls.com]]|date = 10 April 2010}}</ref>


In November 2009, when asked if PiL would re-enter the studio to record new material Lydon said "Yes, if I raise the money from this [tour], I most definitely will."<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20091116_lydon.shtml | title= New PiL material | publisher=[[BBC Radio 6 Music]] | date=16 November 2009}}</ref> The new line-up (consisting of Lydon, earlier members [[Bruce Smith (musician)|Bruce Smith]] and [[Lu Edmonds]], plus multi-instrumentalist [[Scott Firth]]) began touring in December 2009.
In November 2009, when asked if PiL would re-enter the studio to record new material Lydon said "Yes, if I raise the money from this [tour], I most definitely will."<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20091116_lydon.shtml | title= New PiL material | publisher=[[BBC Radio 6 Music]] | date=16 November 2009}}</ref> The new line-up (consisting of Lydon, earlier members [[Bruce Smith (musician)|Bruce Smith]] and [[Lu Edmonds]], plus multi-instrumentalist [[Scott Firth]]) began touring in December 2009.


On 1 July 2011, PiL entered [[Steve Winwood]]'s studio in the [[Cotswolds]] and began recording new material.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://thequietus.com/articles/06523-pil-working-on-new-material |title = PiL Working on New Material |publisher=[[The Quietus]]|date = 1 July 2011}}</ref> Lydon said "it was the only place we could afford. It was this barn, in the middle of the Cotswolds, with nothing for inspiration but sheep – and I don't like sheep particularly."<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/25/entertainment-us-johnlydon-idUSBRE84O0EI20120525 |title = John Lydon boosts his Public Image with new album |publisher=[[Reuters]]|date = 25 May 2012}}</ref> PiL left the studio in August and in September it was revealed that they had recently completed their new album.
On 1 July 2011, PiL entered [[Steve Winwood]]'s studio in the [[Cotswolds]] and began recording new material.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://thequietus.com/articles/06523-pil-working-on-new-material |title = PiL Working on New Material |publisher=[[The Quietus]]|date = 1 July 2011}}</ref> Lydon said "it was the only place we could afford. It was this barn, in the middle of the Cotswolds, with nothing for inspiration but sheep – and I don't like sheep particularly."<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-johnlydon-idUSBRE84O0EI20120525 |title = John Lydon boosts his Public Image with new album |agency = Reuters|date = 25 May 2012 |access-date = 2 July 2017 |archive-date = 24 September 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164146/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/25/entertainment-us-johnlydon-idUSBRE84O0EI20120525 |url-status = live }}</ref> PiL left the studio in August and in September it was revealed that they had recently completed their new album.


In February 2012, it was officially announced that a 4 track EP entitled ''One Drop'' would be released for [[Record Store Day]] on 21 April and ''This Is PiL'' would be released on 28 May.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.pilofficial.com/pilpr15.html |title = Public Image Ltd: Confirm their first new material in 20 years... One Drop EP / This Is PiL album on own self-funded label |publisher=PiL Official|date = 21 February 2012}}</ref>
In February 2012, it was officially announced that a 4 track EP entitled ''One Drop'' would be released for [[Record Store Day]] on 21 April and ''This Is PiL'' would be released on 28 May.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.pilofficial.com/pilpr15.html |title = Public Image Ltd: Confirm their first new material in 20 years... One Drop EP / This Is PiL album on own self-funded label |publisher=PiL Official|date = 21 February 2012}}</ref>
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<!-- Do not include more than 10 reviews in the infobox according to Wiki best practice -->
<!-- Do not include more than 10 reviews in the infobox according to Wiki best practice -->
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
| MC = 66/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/this-is-pil/critic-reviews |title=This is PiL – reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]. [[CBS Interactive]]|accessdate=11 June 2012}}</ref>
| MC = 66/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/this-is-pil/critic-reviews |title=This is PiL – reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=11 June 2012}}</ref>
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=mw0002355524|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0002355524|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review]</ref>
|rev2 = [[Drowned in Sound]]
|rev2 = [[Drowned in Sound]]
|rev2score = 8/10<ref name="drowned">[http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17029/reviews/4145003 Drowned In Sound review]</ref>
|rev2score = 8/10<ref name="drowned">{{Cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17029/reviews/4145003 |title=Drowned in Sound review |access-date=9 June 2012 |archive-date=8 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608065233/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17029/reviews/4145003 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="guardian">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/may/24/public-image-ltd-this-review The Guardian review]</ref>
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="guardian">{{cite web |title=Public Image Ltd: This Is Pil – review |date=24 May 2012 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116012328/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/may/24/public-image-ltd-this-review |archive-date=16 November 2022 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/may/24/public-image-ltd-this-review}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[The Independent]]''
|rev4 = ''[[The Independent]]''
|rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="independent">Andy Gill. [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-public-image-ltd-this-is-pil-pil-official-7785761.html The Independent review]</ref>
|rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="independent">Andy Gill. [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-public-image-ltd-this-is-pil-pil-official-7785761.html The Independent review]</ref>
|rev5 = [[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]
|rev5 = [[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]
|rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="mojo">Perry, Andrew. "Outside The Box [''This is Pil'' – review]". ''Mojo''. June 2012. Page 80.</ref>
|rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="mojo">Perry, Andrew. "Outside The Box [''This is Pil'' – review]". ''Mojo''. June 2012. Page 80.</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
|rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
|rev6score = 7/10<ref>[http://www.nme.com/reviews/public-image-ltd/13232 NME review]</ref>
|rev6score = 7/10<ref>[https://www.nme.com/reviews/public-image-ltd/13232 NME review]</ref>
|rev7 = ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''
|rev7 = ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''
|rev7score = 4.0/10<ref name="paste">[http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/06/public-image-ltd-this-is-pil.html Paste review]</ref>
|rev7score = 4.0/10<ref name="paste">[https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/06/public-image-ltd-this-is-pil.html Paste review]</ref>
| rev8 = [[Pitchfork Media]]
| rev8 = [[Pitchfork Media]]
| rev8Score = 6.3/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |last=Ryce |first=Andrew |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16668-this-is-pil/ |title=This is Pil – review |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=30 May 2012 |accessdate=12 June 2012}}</ref>
| rev8Score = 6.3/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |last=Ryce |first=Andrew |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16668-this-is-pil/ |title=This is Pil – review |work=Pitchfork |date=30 May 2012 |accessdate=12 June 2012}}</ref>
|rev9 = ''[[Slant Magazine|Slant]]''
|rev9 = ''[[Slant Magazine|Slant]]''
|rev9score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="slant">[http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/public-image-ltd-this-is-pil/2794 Slant Magazine review]</ref>
|rev9score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="slant">[https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/public-image-ltd-this-is-pil/2794 Slant Magazine review]</ref>
|rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
|rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
|rev10score = 8/10<ref>[http://www.spin.com/reviews/public-image-ltd-pil-pilredeye-0 Spin review]</ref>
|rev10score = 8/10<ref>[http://www.spin.com/reviews/public-image-ltd-pil-pilredeye-0 Spin review]</ref>
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Upon its release, ''This is PiL'' received mostly favourable reviews from music critics.<ref name="mc"/> At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 66 based on 25 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="mc"/> Alexis Petridis of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the album four out of five stars, stating that the album "both recalls their glory days and contradicts them at the same time".<ref name="guardian"/> ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'s'' Andrew Perry said "it's simply a joy to hear Lydon in fine voice, getting stuck into thorny matters with his unique, raw-nerve gusto, backed by a cookin' band".<ref name="mojo"/>
Upon its release, ''This is PiL'' received mostly favourable reviews from music critics.<ref name="mc"/> At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 66 based on 25 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="mc"/> Alexis Petridis of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the album four out of five stars, stating that the album "both recalls their glory days and contradicts them at the same time".<ref name="guardian"/> ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'s'' Andrew Perry said "it's simply a joy to hear Lydon in fine voice, getting stuck into thorny matters with his unique, raw-nerve gusto, backed by a cookin' band".<ref name="mojo"/>


Andrew Ryce of ''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]'' considered it "not terrible" and "hollow" but also as "a reminder of the band's former genius and a treat for longtime fans who should appreciate at least half the album as solid PiL work".<ref name="pitchfork"/> ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' considered the arrangements as "dull, ordinary and unforgivably sluggish" before describing Lydon's voice as "a scratchy, breathless whimper".<ref name="paste"/>
Andrew Ryce of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' considered it "not terrible" and "hollow" but also as "a reminder of the band's former genius and a treat for longtime fans who should appreciate at least half the album as solid PiL work".<ref name="pitchfork"/> ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' considered the arrangements as "dull, ordinary and unforgivably sluggish" before describing Lydon's voice as "a scratchy, breathless whimper".<ref name="paste"/>


In the United Kingdom, the album entered at number 35 at the end of the first week, before falling to number 89 on its second week.<ref>[http://www.theofficialcharts.com/search-results-album/_/This+Is+Pil#album "This is PiL – albums chart"<small>(Link redirected to OCC website)</small>]. ''Chartarchive''. Retrieved 13–6–12</ref>
In the United Kingdom, the album entered at number 35 at the end of the first week, before falling to number 89 on its second week.<ref>[https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/This+Is+Pil "This is PiL – albums chart"]. ''Official Charts Company''. Retrieved 13–6–12</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{Track list
#"This is PiL" – 3:39
|title1 = This is PiL
#"One Drop" – 4:51
|length1 = 3:39
⚫
#"Deeper Water" – 6:07
|title2 = One Drop
#"Terra Gate" – 3:47
|length2 = 4:51
#"Human" – 6:02
⚫
|title3 = Deeper Water
⚫
#"I Must be Dreaming" – 4:13
|length3 = 6:07
⚫
#"It Said That" – 4:08
|title4 = Terra Gate
⚫
#"The Room I Am in" – 3:07
|length4 = 3:47
⚫
#"Lollipop Opera" – 6:54
|title5 = Human
#"Fool" – 5:52
|length5 = 6:02
#"Reggie Song" – 5:48
⚫
|title6 = I Must be Dreaming
⚫
#"Out of the Woods" – 9:41
|length6 = 4:13

⚫
|title7 = It Said That
⚫
*The iTunes download of the album also features an exclusive 15-minute video filmed during the recording of the album at Steve Winwood's Cotswolds studio in 2011, directed, produced and filmed by John Rambo Stevens and Walter Jaquiss.
|length7 = 4:08
⚫
|title8 = The Room I Am in
|length8 = 3:07
⚫
|title9 = Lollipop Opera
|length9 = 6:54
|title10 = Fool
|length10 = 5:52
|title11 = Reggie Song
|length11 = 5:48
⚫
|title12 = Out of the Woods
|length12 = 9:41
}}
⚫
*The iTunes download of the album also features an exclusive 15-minute video filmed during the recording of the album at Steve Winwood's Cotswolds studio in 2011, directed, produced and filmed by [[John "Rambo" Stevens]] and Walter Jaquiss.


===Deluxe edition bonus DVD – ''There is a PiL in Heaven''===
===Deluxe edition bonus DVD – ''There is a PiL in Heaven''===
Line 92: Line 110:
#"One Drop"
#"One Drop"
#"[[Rise (Public Image Ltd song)|Rise]]"
#"[[Rise (Public Image Ltd song)|Rise]]"
#"[[Open Up (song)|Open Up]]"
#"[[Open Up (Leftfield song)|Open Up]]"


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
;Public Image Ltd.
*[[John Lydon]] – vocals
*[[Lu Edmonds]] – guitar, [[bağlama|saz]], [[banjo]], backing vocals
*[[John Lydon]] – lead vocals, production, cover art
*[[Scott Firth]] – bass guitar, synthesizer, backing vocals
*[[Lu Edmonds]] – guitar, backing vocals, [[bağlama|saz]], [[banjo]], production
*[[Bruce Smith (musician)|Bruce Smith]] – drums, backing vocals
*[[Scott Firth]] – bass, backing vocals, synthesizer, production
*[[Bruce Smith (musician)|Bruce Smith]] – drums, backing vocals, production


==References==
== References ==

{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


⚫
==External links==
⚫
* {{Official website|http://www.pilofficial.com/}}
*Joe Bosso: [http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-john-lydon-on-pils-new-album-steve-vai-sex-pistols-547731 ''Interview: John Lydon on PiL's new album, Steve Vai, Sex Pistols'']. "[[MusicRadar]]" website. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Joe Bosso: [http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-john-lydon-on-pils-new-album-steve-vai-sex-pistols-547731 ''Interview: John Lydon on PiL's new album, Steve Vai, Sex Pistols'']. "[[MusicRadar]]" website. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*John Semley: [http://www.avclub.com/articles/john-lydon,75825/ ''Interview John Lydon'']. [[The A.V. Club]] website. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*John Semley: [https://www.avclub.com/john-lydon-1798231548 ''Interview John Lydon'']. [[The A.V. Club]] website. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Todd Martens: [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/05/public-image-was-a-training-camp-says-john-lydon.html ''Public Image Was a Training camp, John Lydon Says'']. [[Los Angeles Times]]. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Todd Martens: [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/05/public-image-was-a-training-camp-says-john-lydon.html ''Public Image Was a Training camp, John Lydon Says'']. [[Los Angeles Times]]. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
* John Lydon: [http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=1&title=john_lydon_s_guide_to_this_is_pil&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ''John Lydon's Guide To This is PiL'']. [[NME]] website. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
* John Lydon: [https://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=1&title=john_lydon_s_guide_to_this_is_pil&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 ''John Lydon's Guide To This is PiL'']. [[NME]] website. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Andrew Perry: [http://www.emusic.com/listen/#/music-news/interview/interview-john-lydon/: ''Interview: John Lydon'']. [[eMusic]] website. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Andrew Perry: [http://www.emusic.com/listen/#/music-news/interview/interview-john-lydon/: ''Interview: John Lydon'']. [[eMusic]] website. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Oliver Hall: [http://larecord.com/interviews/2012/06/18/john-lydon-i-am-folk-music ''John Lydon: I Am Folk Music'']. [[L.A. Record]] website. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Oliver Hall: [http://larecord.com/interviews/2012/06/18/john-lydon-i-am-folk-music ''John Lydon: I Am Folk Music'']. [[L.A. Record]] website. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Steve Appleford: [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-john-lydon-on-pils-past-and-present-newt-gingrichs-likeability-20120614 ''QA: John Lydon on PiL's Past and Present, Newt Gingrich's Likeability'']. "[[Rolling Stone]]". 14 June 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Steve Appleford: [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-john-lydon-on-pils-past-and-present-newt-gingrichs-likeability-20120614 ''QA: John Lydon on PiL's Past and Present, Newt Gingrich's Likeability'']. "[[Rolling Stone]]". 14 June 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Jim Pinckney: [http://www.listener.co.nz/culture/music/john-lydon-interview-the-long-version/ ''John Lydon Interview – The Long Version'']. [[New Zealand Listener]] website. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Jim Pinckney: [http://www.listener.co.nz/culture/music/john-lydon-interview-the-long-version/ ''John Lydon Interview – The Long Version'']. [[New Zealand Listener]] website. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Katie Hasty: [http://www.hitfix.com/immaculate-noise/john-lydon-talks-pil-sex-pistols-green-day-and-the-olympic-games ''John Lydon Talks PiL, Sex Pistols, Green Day and the Olympic Games'']. [[HitFix]] website. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
*Katie Hasty: [http://www.hitfix.com/immaculate-noise/john-lydon-talks-pil-sex-pistols-green-day-and-the-olympic-games ''John Lydon Talks PiL, Sex Pistols, Green Day and the Olympic Games'']. [[HitFix]] website. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.

⚫
==External links==
⚫
* {{Official website|http://www.pilofficial.com/}}

{{Public Image Ltd.}}
{{Public Image Ltd.}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2012 albums]]
[[Category:2012 albums]]

Latest revision as of 22:08, 13 November 2024

This Is PiL
Studio album by
Public Image Ltd
Released28 May 2012
RecordedJuly–August 2011
StudioWincraft Studios, Cotswolds, England
GenrePost-punk, experimental rock
Length64:09
LabelPiL Official Ltd
ProducerPublic Image Ltd
Public Image Ltd chronology
That What Is Not
(1992) 		This Is PiL
(2012) 		What the World Needs Now...
(2015)

This is PiL is the ninth studio album by British rock band Public Image Ltd. Their first studio album in 20 years,[1] it was released on 28 May 2012 on band's own label, PiL Official. A limited deluxe edition of the album was released with a live DVD entitled There is a PiL in Heaven.[2]

Background

[edit]

Public Image Ltd returned in 2009, after a 17-year hiatus. John Lydon financed the reunion using money he earned doing a UK TV commercial for Country Life butter. He said "The money that I earned from that has now gone completely – lock stock and barrel – into reforming PiL".[3]

In November 2009, when asked if PiL would re-enter the studio to record new material Lydon said "Yes, if I raise the money from this [tour], I most definitely will."[4] The new line-up (consisting of Lydon, earlier members Bruce Smith and Lu Edmonds, plus multi-instrumentalist Scott Firth) began touring in December 2009.

On 1 July 2011, PiL entered Steve Winwood's studio in the Cotswolds and began recording new material.[5] Lydon said "it was the only place we could afford. It was this barn, in the middle of the Cotswolds, with nothing for inspiration but sheep – and I don't like sheep particularly."[6] PiL left the studio in August and in September it was revealed that they had recently completed their new album.

In February 2012, it was officially announced that a 4 track EP entitled One Drop would be released for Record Store Day on 21 April and This Is PiL would be released on 28 May.[7]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic66/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Drowned in Sound8/10[10]
The Guardian[11]
The Independent[12]
Mojo[13]
NME7/10[14]
Paste4.0/10[15]
Pitchfork Media6.3/10[16]
Slant[17]
Spin8/10[18]

Upon its release, This is PiL received mostly favourable reviews from music critics.[8] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 66 based on 25 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[8] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian gave the album four out of five stars, stating that the album "both recalls their glory days and contradicts them at the same time".[11] Mojo's Andrew Perry said "it's simply a joy to hear Lydon in fine voice, getting stuck into thorny matters with his unique, raw-nerve gusto, backed by a cookin' band".[13]

Andrew Ryce of Pitchfork considered it "not terrible" and "hollow" but also as "a reminder of the band's former genius and a treat for longtime fans who should appreciate at least half the album as solid PiL work".[16] Paste considered the arrangements as "dull, ordinary and unforgivably sluggish" before describing Lydon's voice as "a scratchy, breathless whimper".[15]

In the United Kingdom, the album entered at number 35 at the end of the first week, before falling to number 89 on its second week.[19]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."This is PiL"3:39
2."One Drop"4:51
3."Deeper Water"6:07
4."Terra Gate"3:47
5."Human"6:02
6."I Must be Dreaming"4:13
7."It Said That"4:08
8."The Room I Am in"3:07
9."Lollipop Opera"6:54
10."Fool"5:52
11."Reggie Song"5:48
12."Out of the Woods"9:41
  • The iTunes download of the album also features an exclusive 15-minute video filmed during the recording of the album at Steve Winwood's Cotswolds studio in 2011, directed, produced and filmed by John "Rambo" Stevens and Walter Jaquiss.

Deluxe edition bonus DVD – There is a PiL in Heaven

[edit]

Live performance recorded at London, Heaven Nightclub, 2 April 2012

  1. "Deeper Water"
  2. "This Is Not a Love Song"
  3. "Albatross"
  4. "Reggie Song"
  5. "Disappointed"
  6. "Warrior"
  7. "Religion"
  8. "USLS1"
  9. "Death Disco"
  10. "Flowers of Romance"
  11. "Lollipop Opera"
  12. "Bags / Chant"
  13. "Out of the Woods"
  14. "One Drop"
  15. "Rise"
  16. "Open Up"

Personnel

[edit]
Public Image Ltd.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Everitt, Matt; Larkin, Adrian (14 February 2012). "Public Image Ltd will release their first album in 20 years later this year". BBC.
  2. ^ "This is PiL" pilofficial.com
  3. ^ "John Lydon: Public Image Limited". SuicideGirls.com. 10 April 2010.
  4. ^ "New PiL material". BBC Radio 6 Music. 16 November 2009.
  5. ^ "PiL Working on New Material". The Quietus. 1 July 2011.
  6. ^ "John Lydon boosts his Public Image with new album". Reuters. 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Public Image Ltd: Confirm their first new material in 20 years... One Drop EP / This Is PiL album on own self-funded label". PiL Official. 21 February 2012.
  8. ^ a b c "This is PiL – reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  9. ^ AllMusic review
  10. ^ "Drowned in Sound review". Archived from the original on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Public Image Ltd: This Is Pil – review". The Guardian. 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022.
  12. ^ Andy Gill. The Independent review
  13. ^ a b Perry, Andrew. "Outside The Box [This is Pil – review]". Mojo. June 2012. Page 80.
  14. ^ NME review
  15. ^ a b Paste review
  16. ^ a b Ryce, Andrew (30 May 2012). "This is Pil – review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  17. ^ Slant Magazine review
  18. ^ Spin review
  19. ^ "This is PiL – albums chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13–6–12
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