Wire
Following 2013’s Change Becomes Us, which re-worked early 1980s song sketches into full songs, Wire feels at first almost strangely normal. Colin Newman does most of the vocals in his gentler speak/sing mode, and the feeling generally is calmly inviting.
It's fitting that the titles of almost all the songs on Wire's latest album are verbs. These 11 tracks represent a very active work by the iconic post-punk band. Their previous two full-lengths—2010's Red Barked Tree and 2013's Change Becomes Us—were representations of the group finding its collective feet again after the departure of founding guitarist Bruce Gilbert and the arrival of Matt Simms.
Their 40th anniversary might be fast approaching but the post-punk paragons show little sign of slowing down.
Their refusal to dwell on past glories can be frustrating for fans, but the quality and freshness evident here make Wire sound more like an exciting new band than one with 35 years’ experience<br>