Wire - 154 (LP)

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Like its predecessor, 1977's CHAIRS MISSING, 154 finds Wire moving away from its punk roots toward darker, more experimental horizons. There is less overt anger and insolence than in the past, and in its place is plenty of dark weirdness. Truly disturbing at certain points, this album is a challenging listen. This is not a record to slap on while you clean up the house. Beginning with the sinister "I Should Have Known Better" a song that has so little to do with the same-titled Beatles song that it really is scary, 154 follows with the shambling, atonal "Two People in a Room" and the choppy, robotic guitars of "The 15th." The fiendish "A Touching Display" sounds like music for a primitive rite, while on "A Mutual Friend," close British Invasion-flavored harmonies collide with harsh, dangerous-sounding guitar chords. The highlight here, and arguably the most incredible song in Wire's book, is "Map Ref. 41 N, 93 W." Words fail to conjure the otherworldly majesty of this track. It may be some kind of twisted cartographer's love song, but it could also be the backing music for a love scene between two artificial intelligences. What can you say? A stunner. Wire: Colin Newman, B.C. Gilbert (vocals, guitars); Graham Lewis (vocals, bass); Robert Gotobed (drums).Additional personnel: Hilly Kristal (vocals); Tim Souster (electric viola); Kate Lucas (alto flute); Joan Whiting (English horn); Mike Thorne (keyboards). Format: Vinyl Genre: Rock, Electronic Remember, for our lowest prices, always order directly from Joco Records! Track Listing: A1 I Should Have Known Better 3:50A2 Two People In A Room 2:08A3 The 15th 3:02A4 The Other Window 2:06A5 Single K.O. 2:19A6 A Touching Display 6:25A7 On Returning 2:05B1 A Mutual Friend 4:25B2 Blessed State 3:26B3 Once Is Enough 3:20B4 Map Ref. 41ºN 93ºW 3:35B5 Indirect Enquiries 3:33B6 40 Versions 3:26 Show more