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The odd thing about Wire in 2011 is their complete absence of oddness. When UK post-punk’s most influential band first split in 1981, dropped by EMI after their first three era-defining albums failed to shift units, they splintered off into weirdo art projects like Dome, mixing obscure performance art and intellectual pranks with abstract noise heavily influenced by early mentor Brian Eno. When they reformed in 1986, they refused to play their early classics and made a kind of surrealist boffin-pop, occasionally New Order-dancey (Ahead), sometimes powerfully experimental (A Serious of Snakes, Drill), but mainly glistening, melodic, even pretty, as exemplified by mini-hits Eardrum Buzz and Kidney Bingos. And it’s with the latter modus operandi that they’ve stayed for 20 years, despite losing a member (Bruce Gilbert) and inevitably bowing to nostalgia by performing legendary debut album Pink Flag live.
Wire, now, are a solid indie-guitar band based on great musicianship and production, and a seemingly endless supply of good melodies. If that sounds dull, it really isn’t. Their 11th studio album is 40 minutes of gorgeous nothings, full of intricate curlicues of sparkling Colin Newman guitar and synth given beef by the surging rhythms of Robert Grey aka Gotobed and Graham Lewis. Any group who have been making music together for well over 30 years without a sniff of mainstream success could be forgiven for sounding tired, grumpy and bitter, as The Fall have for the last decade. But Wire, who sounded old when they were kids, seem to be regressing into a youthful naivety. Opener Please Take sees the once droll and lugubrious Lewis spitting the kind of kiss-off lyric ("F*** off out of my face / You take up too much space") that self-righteous teen rebels write for their first punk band.
The only sad thing about Red Barked Tree is that few will hear it because many a station won’t play anything by old punks, unless they’re Paul Weller. But if you love alternative guitar music, you will love this, because Wire play alternative guitar music better than any young British band you can name. The oddest thing about that is that everyone name-checks Wire, but no-one listens to them. If I was them, I’d be telling the world to you-know-what out of my face, too.
--Garry Mulholland
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Product Description
WIRE - RED BARKED TREE CD ALBUM
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Bloody Hell, this is good. If, like me, you lost touch with wire after their first 3 brilliant albums, then hesitate not, buy this album now cos' it stands along those albums like it's 1980 all over again. I cannot vouch for the quality of their numerous albums in the intervening years, as for some unknown reason Wire dropped off my radar, but hell they have returned with a vengeance and vigour which belies their advancing years. If it wasn't for their unmistakable style, you would have sworn this album was by some snotty delinquent estuary yoofs, not a bunch of late 50's veterans. If anything the added maturity has actually improved on their 70's output by fleshing the songs to 4mins plus instead of the short 1'30" blast of yesteryear.
This has to be one of the albums of the year, but doubt that it will appear on any awards list. Doesn't mean you can't award yourself a real treat. Put it in the car CD player and risk a speeding ticket, it gives you that kind of adrenalin rush.
This has to be one of the albums of the year, but doubt that it will appear on any awards list. Doesn't mean you can't award yourself a real treat. Put it in the car CD player and risk a speeding ticket, it gives you that kind of adrenalin rush.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Wire - Red Barked Tree (Pinkflag)
I have a history with Wire, dropping in and out at various periods of their long career. I've almost given up trying to explain to the uninitiated what I like so much about them, mainly because those who namedrop them without hearing them seem to be labouring under the illusion they're some sort of unfathomable, unlistenable, art-rock, avant-garde outfit, where nothing really could be further from the truth. Sure, they have their moments, but for the most part, they've spent a 30 year career producing some of the most literate, wiry (obviously), spiked pop music - spawned and informed by '77 punk, but never enslaved by its boundaries.
Their latest album, "Red Barked Tree", continues their idiosyncratic approach to popular music, beginning with "Please Take", with its beautifully sweary hook; radio will undoubtedly run a mile, which is no reason for the rest of us to be squeamish. "Now Was" is energetic and addictive, and the title-track provides an epic - almost folk-rock via Neu - conclusion, though I could have chosen any three tracks - there's nothing here that'll disappoint.
For those of us in the know, "Red Barked Tree" will become an album to treasure. If you're new to them, there's really nothing to be scared about. If you're unfazed by Radiohead or early REM (you'll probably know their version of "Strange" - believe me, Wire's original version is far superior), you'll find much here to enjoy. Take a chance. 9/10.
I have a history with Wire, dropping in and out at various periods of their long career. I've almost given up trying to explain to the uninitiated what I like so much about them, mainly because those who namedrop them without hearing them seem to be labouring under the illusion they're some sort of unfathomable, unlistenable, art-rock, avant-garde outfit, where nothing really could be further from the truth. Sure, they have their moments, but for the most part, they've spent a 30 year career producing some of the most literate, wiry (obviously), spiked pop music - spawned and informed by '77 punk, but never enslaved by its boundaries.
Their latest album, "Red Barked Tree", continues their idiosyncratic approach to popular music, beginning with "Please Take", with its beautifully sweary hook; radio will undoubtedly run a mile, which is no reason for the rest of us to be squeamish. "Now Was" is energetic and addictive, and the title-track provides an epic - almost folk-rock via Neu - conclusion, though I could have chosen any three tracks - there's nothing here that'll disappoint.
For those of us in the know, "Red Barked Tree" will become an album to treasure. If you're new to them, there's really nothing to be scared about. If you're unfazed by Radiohead or early REM (you'll probably know their version of "Strange" - believe me, Wire's original version is far superior), you'll find much here to enjoy. Take a chance. 9/10.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Reportedly, a recording engineer for this album made a comment to the band regarding how large the sound was for music featuring only three people. Such is the case. It is amazing only three musicians created this "big" album.
The one drawback this, and material since Send have, is the lack of lead guitarist, Bruce Gilbert, but Wire have made the best of the situation with Colin Newman's "lead" rhythm guitar, unusual for most bands, but not Wire. And he is admirably supported by the traditional rhythm section, bassist Graham Lewis and drummer Robert Grey. It should be noted Lewis has contributed some of his finest Wire material ever to include excellent lyrics.
Wire's previous non-Gilbert album, Object 47, was an excellent outting, but felt more like a Newman/Lewis collaboration than a traditional Wire album. That still made it better than most other albums released that year. On Red Barked Tree however, Wire sounds like Wire again... a very strong release. All of the tracks are quite memorable and become familiar after only a couple of listenings. And the final title track is acoustic... perhaps the first time for Wire and a remarkable high-point.
This is a fine album that can be recommended to long-time followers of this band as well as newcomers as it lives up to Wire's potential... one of the best bands of all time.
The one drawback this, and material since Send have, is the lack of lead guitarist, Bruce Gilbert, but Wire have made the best of the situation with Colin Newman's "lead" rhythm guitar, unusual for most bands, but not Wire. And he is admirably supported by the traditional rhythm section, bassist Graham Lewis and drummer Robert Grey. It should be noted Lewis has contributed some of his finest Wire material ever to include excellent lyrics.
Wire's previous non-Gilbert album, Object 47, was an excellent outting, but felt more like a Newman/Lewis collaboration than a traditional Wire album. That still made it better than most other albums released that year. On Red Barked Tree however, Wire sounds like Wire again... a very strong release. All of the tracks are quite memorable and become familiar after only a couple of listenings. And the final title track is acoustic... perhaps the first time for Wire and a remarkable high-point.
This is a fine album that can be recommended to long-time followers of this band as well as newcomers as it lives up to Wire's potential... one of the best bands of all time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wire - Red Barked Tree (the vinyl experience)
Wire's latest is up with their best. The first side (of the vinyl release)combines instantly appealing and catchy tunes with some edgy lyrical content (Please Take / Bad Worn... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. John Jeffrey
A Triumph
Imagine it's 1981 and EMI, despite the disappoinment of failing to break a band of much potential decide to give it one more go. Read more
Published 6 months ago by pjr
Ditto what he said
Can't be better said then these fine fellows' comments already. Go see 'em live and join the Wire cult.
Published 12 months ago by Mr. J. Crook
Wire - Red Bark Tree
I must confess to not 'being into' Wire at their heyday, in fact and to my great shame, I'ld never even heard of them until Mark Radcliffe * Stuart Maconie played the 'sanitized'... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Paul Cox
The Missing Link
An amalgam of ideas coalescing from the firnament of Chairs Missing and the more glacial Ideal Copy. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
Unbelievable!
I can't believe how great this record is. I have been following Wire through all their phases, since the 80s at most times disappointed about the songs and arrangements. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Bernd
If only they got the recognition they are due...
Firstly, I must state that I agree with all the other five star reviews.
An album of music of this quality shouldn't be possible from three men who have been a group... Read more
An album of music of this quality shouldn't be possible from three men who have been a group... Read more
Published 15 months ago by J. Greaves
How To Be An Adult
Absolutely essential. This is their best album... period. It even beats their late seventies/early eighties albums. Read more
Published 16 months ago by E. R. Hartley
Wire deserves your respect and admiration...and some of your hardly...
First I must say that I listened to EVERYTHING this band and its members have done in the past, from WIRE to WIR, from "Mary's a dyke" to "Underwater Experiences",from "behind the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by as
Oh dear
Oh dear is chairs missing really the last Wire album I bought. Yes after 1978 this is the first wire album I've bought and I must say it certainly is a delight. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. Carl Jackson
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