Wire
154
EMI SHSP 4105
Released September 1979
Side one
1. "I Should Have Known Better" 0:09
2. "Two People in a Room" 3:58
3. "The 15th" 6:07
4. "The Other Window" 9:15
5. "Single K.O." 11:17
6. "A Touching Display" 13:14
7. "On Returning" 20:31
Side two
8. "A Mutual Friend" 22:36
9. "Blessed State" 27:00
10. "Once Is Enough" 30:27
11. "Map Ref. 41°N 93°W" 33:48
12. "Indirect Enquiries" 37:26
13. "40 Versions" 41:02
Bonus EP
Side one
14. "Song 1" 44:27
15. "Get Down (Parts 1 and 2)" 47:31
Side two
16. "Let's Panic Later" 51:56
17. "Small Electric Piece" 55:15
Wire's third album, released a bit less than two years after
their stunning debut, Pink Flag.
In two years and two albums, Wire moved a long way from the
exciting minimalism of Pink Flag. 154 is more atmospheric,
more experimental, if you will, at times almost spooky but more
often melodic, almost despite themselves, it feels like.
For me, nothing on this record packs the immediate punch of the
best songs on Pink Flag, but that perhaps is intentional. 154
feels more like a record that is to be listened to over and over,
in depth. It stands up to those repeated listenings.
I wouldn't begin to try to classify this record . . . 154 is not
punk, it's certainly not new wave, or any other easy category I
can think of. It has at times a sound that is almost orchestral,
without the orchestra of course. Dramatic without the '"drama."
This album includes a bonus EP with four songs. For me the songs on the EP feel a bit like throw-ins -- not quite up to the
standard of the album. But your mileage may vary.
Regardless, this is an "A" album. Wire at their quirky, unclassifiable best.
The visuals are random pictures that incorporate the number
"154."
Trivia: The album was so-named because at the time it was released the band had performed 154 live gigs.
Made with...Sansui P-D10 turntable...BBE preamp...Audacity...
paint.net...Corel VideoStdio X9 Ultimate...IPhone 6 for those
high-quality album cover and record shots.
Enjoy...and thanks to all my subscribers, as always.