Search - Wire :: Ibtaba

A whole new album on its own

Said Head | MN, USA | 09/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not exactly a live album, nor a remix album, it mixes older reworkings with new material.



First of all, I hate live material, because I can't stand all the noise of applause (really takes away from the music, and in my opinion does nothing for the 'energy' of the performance). And I also greatly dislike most remix albums, but this is far from the usual crappy dubs that pose as remixes.



The new songs (Eardrum Buzz, German Shepherds, Illuminated, The Offer, In Vivo) are all strong pieces that trademark material found on Ideal Copy. I don't care much for A Bell Is A Cup, and the only new track that sounds like it belongs from that period would be The Offer, which still beats most of the music from that album. I don't understand why another reviewer dislikes Illuminated, it's a strange electronic piece with sparse vocals, surely a bit odd, but very interesting. The 12" version of Eardrum Buzz isn't as impressive, in my opinion, as the reworked track, but still holds well, though a little out of place in the album. Also, this version of In Vivo is better than the original single mix, once again in my opinion.



4 of the 5 older songs are from 'A Bell...', but I think are better than the originals, except for The Finest Drops, my favorite Wire song; still, the reworked version is good, and sounds quite different so it stands as its own song, without having to owe up to the original. The reworking of Public Place is far superior, as it gives more ambiance, which I think had been their original intent on the original, but didn't pull it off as well.



Although wishing more material from Ideal Copy had been on this album, I have to give it a full 5 stars for the amazing music, brilliant concept, and overall impressiveness of it. I suppose I shouldn't complain about not enough material from Ideal Copy era, as in a couple years later came The Drill EP, another awesome piece of music.



"