''That What Is Not'' is the eighth studio album by
Public Image Ltd
Public Image Ltd (abbreviated and stylized as PiL) are an English post-punk band (and incorporated limited company) formed by singer John Lydon (previously known as the singer of Sex Pistols), guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble, and dr ...
, released in 1992. It was the band's final album before a 20-year hiatus, and the final recordings with longtime members Allan Dias (bass) and
John McGeoch
John Alexander McGeoch (25 August 1955 – 4 March 2004) was a Scottish musician and songwriter. He is best known as the guitarist of the rock bands Magazine (1977-1980) and Siouxsie and the Banshees (1980-1982).
He has been described as one o ...
(lead guitar).
Critical reception
The ''
Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...
'' wrote that Lydon "has been able to stay somewhat current by rocking persuasively and directing his still considerable bile toward such germane targets as censors and militarists." ''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cul ...
'' wrote that the album "showcases PIL’s brutal version of modern dance rock, an angry sound that pummels rather than lulls." ''
Trouser Press
''Trouser Press'' was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow fan of the Who Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" (a reference to ...
'' wrote that the songs "display either a loss of conviction, an absence of inspiration or a grave lack of effort."
Track listing
All tracks written by PiL
Personnel
;Public Image Limited
*
John Lydon
John Joseph Lydon (; born 31 January 1956), also known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten, is an English singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the late-1970s punk band the Sex Pistols, which lasted from 1975 until 1978, and aga ...
– lead vocals (uncredited on actual album packaging)
*
John McGeoch
John Alexander McGeoch (25 August 1955 – 4 March 2004) was a Scottish musician and songwriter. He is best known as the guitarist of the rock bands Magazine (1977-1980) and Siouxsie and the Banshees (1980-1982).
He has been described as one o ...
– lead guitar
*Gregg "J.P." Arreguin – rhythm guitar
*Allan Dias – bass, backing vocals, keyboards
* Curt "Kirkee B." Bisquera – drums, percussion
with:
* Tower of Power – horns on "Covered" and "Good Things"
*Jimmie Wood – harmonica on "Covered", "Love Hope" and "Good Things"
* Bonnie Sheridan – background vocals on "Good Things"
Track by track commentary by band members
"Acid Drops":
*John Lydon (1992): “ he song is aboutcensorship – that particularly relates to America, because there's a lot of vested interest groups, like all these religious fanatics. They're saying the human body, and everything connected with it, is dirty – that's wrong. I don't believe in censorship of any kind.”''Ralph Heibutzki: ''“15 Years Later Lydon's Still Howling”'' ('' South Haven Daily Tribune'', 10 April 1992) ''“Well, sing a Sex Pistols sample for the song">Sex_Pistols.html" ;"title="sing a Sex Pistols">sing a Sex Pistols sample for the songstarted off as a joke. Dave Jerden">The producer threw it in one night for a laugh. I didn't find it too funny at first! But now I think it's perfect for the song. Oh, why not? I can't take myself too seriously.” “I'd recommend him to anyone – he's the best producer I've ever worked with. He's a rarity, in that he speaks his mind. He doesn't do things for fashionable reasons.”
"Luck's Up":
*John Lydon (1999): “'Luck's Up' is about the hopelessness of junkies and druggies.”John Lydon liner notes (Public Image Ltd.: ''“Plastic Box”'' compilation, Virgin Records, 1999)
"Think Tank":
*John Lydon (1992/99): “'Think Tank' is me having a go back at all the people who all the time rewrite and misrepresent the events of my past, usually middle-class journalists who were never there at the time.” “Yes, Think Tank' is about rewritingmy history, in particular. I know
Jon
Jon is a shortened form of the common given name Jonathan, derived from "YHWH has given", and an alternate spelling of John, derived from "YHWH has pardoned".
Related tracks
"Criminal":
*John Lydon (1990/99): “A whole bunch of new stuff which will be recorded in January, February, March
991
Year 991 (Roman numerals, CMXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
* March 1: In Rouen, Pope John XV ratifies the first Peace and Truce of God, Truce of God, between ...
– that way, and I think in England. I couldn't tell you who the producer is at the moment, because me and my record company are squabbling! Yes, folks, I do love to drag my dirty laundry out in public!” “'Criminal' was for the soundtrack for the movie '' Point Break''.”
*Allan Dias (2004): “It was written specifically for the movie. I think initially it was one of
John McGeoch
John Alexander McGeoch (25 August 1955 – 4 March 2004) was a Scottish musician and songwriter. He is best known as the guitarist of the rock bands Magazine (1977-1980) and Siouxsie and the Banshees (1980-1982).
He has been described as one o ...
's songs, or a sketch that he had, it was based on that. We went into the studio with a producer specifically to do that track, it was a one-off thing, it wasn't an outtake or anything. As I recall we were approached by someone from the movie, but I think we were in the middle of recording an album or something, possibly working on '9', and by the time we got the track done and put it to them it was too late to be considered for the title track. But they put it on there regardless.”Scott Murphy: ''“Allan Dias Interview”'' (''Fodderstompf.com'' website, May 2004)
Charts
United Kingdom
*''That What Is Not'' briefly entered the
UK albums chart
The Official Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales and (from March 2015) audio streaming in the United Kingdom. It was published for the first time on 22 July 1956 and is compiled every week by the Official Charts C ...
, where it stayed for 2 weeks and reached No. 46 on 7 March 1992.''Theofficialcharts.com'' website
*The single “Cruel” briefly entered the UK Top 75, where it stayed for 2 weeks and reached No. 49 on 22 February 1992.
United States
*''That What Is Not'' did not enter the ''Billboard'' 200 album charts.''Billboard.com'' website
*The song “Covered” was released as a promo CD single and entered the
Billboard Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Airplay (formerly known as Modern Rock Tracks (1988–2009) and Alternative Songs (2009–2020)) is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in ''Billboard'' magazine since September 10, 1988. It ranks the 40 most-played ...
charts, where it stayed for 9 weeks and reached No. 11 on 21 March 1992.
*The song “Acid Drops” was released as a promo CD single and entered the
Billboard Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Airplay (formerly known as Modern Rock Tracks (1988–2009) and Alternative Songs (2009–2020)) is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in ''Billboard'' magazine since September 10, 1988. It ranks the 40 most-played ...
charts, where it stayed for 2 weeks and reached No. 29 on 9 May 1992.