Plastic Box cover

Plastic Box

Public Image Ltd. · 1999

303 min · 64 tracks · alternative rock

A collage of post-punk experimentation, industrial textures, and biting social commentary woven together through jagged rhythms and Johnny Rotten's distinctive vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Public Image Start here — This track serves as the quintessential statement of the band's ethos, blending raw energy with profound lyrical content that critiques the music industry itself.
  • →
    Death Disco — Renowned for its haunting mix of reggae and punk influences, this song captures the complex interplay of personal loss and societal critique that defines much of Lydon's work.
  • →
    This Is Not a Love Song — As one of their most commercially successful singles, this track juxtaposes catchy melodies with sharp lyrics about the disillusionment of love and fame.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with peaks
  • introspective moments of reflection
  • abrasive energy for late nights
  • satisfying exploration of soundscapes
  • engaging two-halves listening experience

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A comprehensive anthology showcasing the band's evolution, appealing to dedicated fans.
Themes
music industry critique· personal loss and society· disillusioned fame
Career context
Released in 1999, Plastic Box is a compilation that marks a retrospective phase for Public Image Ltd., showcasing their evolution from the late 1970s to the late 1990s. At this point, the band had experienced numerous lineup changes and stylistic shifts, with Johnny Lydon continuing to explore diverse sonic landscapes after their mainstream breakthrough in the early '80s. This collection encapsulates their journey through both commercial hits and experimental tracks.
Stylistic neighbors
Wire· The Pop Group· Gang of Four
New to Public Image Ltd.? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Public Image

    The opening lines directly confront the listeners with a stark declaration about identity and perception in the public sphere.

    This immediate challenge sets the tone for the album, establishing Lydon's unyielding stance against superficiality in music and life.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Public Image Start here 2:58
  • 2 The Cowboy Song 2:16
  • 3 Theme 9:08
  • 4 Religion I 1:25
  • 5 Religion II 5:48
  • 6 Annalisa 6:02
  • 7 Low Life 3:38
  • 8 Attack 2:56
  • 9 Poptones (BBC session) 4:32
  • 10 Careering (BBC session) 7:32
  • 11 Chant (BBC session) 5:14
  • 12 Death Disco (12″ remix) 6:42
  • 13 1/2 Mix Megamix 6:51
  • 14 No Birds Do Sing 4:42
  • 15 Memories 5:05

Disc 2

  • 1 Another 3:51
  • 2 Albatross 10:37
  • 3 Socialist 3:11
  • 4 The Suit 3:31
  • 5 Bad Baby 4:31
  • 6 Radio 4 4:23
  • 7 Pied Piper 1:51
  • 8 Flowers of Romance 2:51
  • 9 Four Enclosed Walls 4:44
  • 10 Phenagen 2:40
  • 11 Track 8 3:15
  • 12 Hymie’s Him 3:18
  • 13 Under the House 4:33
  • 14 Banging the Door 4:49
  • 15 Go Back 3:46
  • 16 Francis Massacre 3:31
  • 17 Home Is Where the Heart Is 7:34

Disc 3

  • 1 This Is Not a Love Song (12″ remix) 4:10
  • 2 Blue Water 3:44
  • 3 Bad Life 3:51
  • 4 Question Mark 4:09
  • 5 Solitaire 3:59
  • 6 Tie Me to the Length of That 5:18
  • 7 Where Are You? 4:18
  • 8 The Pardon 5:18
  • 9 1981 3:17
  • 10 The Order of Death 4:50
  • 11 F.F.F. 5:31
  • 12 Rise 6:06
  • 13 Fishing 5:19
  • 14 Round 4:26
  • 15 Home 5:50
  • 16 Ease 8:10

Disc 4

  • 1 Seattle 3:40
  • 2 Angry 4:13
  • 3 The Body (US 12″ mix) 3:41
  • 4 Selfish Rubbish 3:34
  • 5 Disappointed 5:34
  • 6 Happy 3:58
  • 7 Warrior (12″ extended mix) 6:45
  • 8 USLS 1 5:37
  • 9 Don’t Ask Me 3:43
  • 10 Criminal 4:29
  • 11 Luck’s Up 4:07
  • 12 God 5:34
  • 13 Cruel (BBC session) 5:25
  • 14 Acid Drops (BBC session) 6:48
  • 15 Love Hope (BBC session) 4:02
  • 16 Think Tank (BBC session) 5:25

What to play next

This is PiL
Listen next

This is PiL

2012

Continues the experimental sound with fresh elements and social themes.
That What Is Not
Go back to

That What Is Not

1992

Sets a similar tone with its industrial influences and bold lyrics.
Full Public Image Ltd. discography Where to start with Public Image Ltd. Artists like Public Image Ltd.
alternative rock post-punk

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata