Name: Wire 1985-1990: The A List
Brand: Wire

Tax rate EU

Default:19

Supplier EU

Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH

Total Cap

Format detail

Colour details

Discogs ID

Limited edition

Colour

Format Music EU

Extended format

Extended format: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Download code

Download code: No

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Release date

1993-05-17

Format multiplier

Catalogue number

501602561116

UPC / Barcode

5016025611164

Artist

Wire

Label EU

Mute

Genre EU

Alternative / Modern

Please note, some Mute issues also carry an EMI logo. This is not a label and EMI should not be added as a label, it instead indicates that Mute was part of the EMI Group.

Founded in 1978 by [a=Daniel Miller], Mute (also known as [l36339]) releases various forms of music, with an emphasis on electronic and experimental pop. In May 2002 the label was acquired by the [l=EMI Group]. In 2010 Miller did an agreement with EMI to handle Mute as an independent label again, licensing the trademark from EMI via his company [l=Mute Artists Ltd.], but EMI kept the rights over Mute's back catalogue. After the EMI Group was dissolved, in 2012 [l206061] acquired [l636]'s back catalogue.

Branch offices exist in Germany ([l168349]) and in North America ([l36296]). 

Mute has spawned many regional and special-interest sublabels, some of which are still active. One offshoot, [l=Parallel Series], even became independent of [l636] Mute also operates Mute Bank Mail Order, which sells the label's merchandise directly to consumers. Mute Bank published two issues of [i]Mute Statement[/i], a softcover book that details the entire discography of the label and includes band profiles and photos of release artwork.

Another label strongly associated with Mute is [l=Toast Hawaii], run by [a=Depeche Mode]'s [a=Andrew Fletcher].

Label code: [b]LC 05834[/b] / [b]LC 5834[/b]

‘[b]P[/b]’, included to the catalog numbers,
generally stand for promo copies.
‘[b]L[/b]’, included to the catalog numbers,
generally stand for limited editions.

Wire is an English rock band formed in London in October 1976. They were originally associated with the punk rock scene and later became central to the development of post-punk. Inspired by the UK punk scene, Wire expanded the sonic boundaries of not just punk, but rock music in general. With their richly detailed and atmospheric sound, often obscure lyrical themes, and Situationist political stance, they are considered a definitive art punk or post-punk ensemble. Throughout their career, Wire experimented with song arrangements and gained a reputation for their innovative approach.

Critic Stewart Mason described Wire as one of the more important rock groups of the 1970s and 1980s. Their first three albums showcased their ability to push the boundaries of both punk and rock music. From their early raucous punk style on "[Album1]," they evolved into a more complex sound with increased use of guitar effects and synthesizers on "[Album2]" and "[Album3]." This steady development demonstrated their musical growth.

In 2004, founding member Gilbert left the band; however, in 2010 [NewMember] joined them. Wire's influential presence continues to shape the music industry as they remain dedicated to pushing artistic boundaries.

Newest Listed Items

1985-1990: The A List is a fine 16-track compilation of the highlights from Wire's surprising and successful comeback. This material isn't quite as essential as their early output -- Wire doesn't sound as revolutionary on these sides, although the music is still high-quality. It bears some similarities to the sort of '80s college-radio synth/guitar pop being produced by the likes of New Order and the Cure, although it isn't as danceable, and it retains Wire's signature love of dissonance and pure sonic oddity. The more controlled, polished sound of this material may tone down the heady excitement of their early albums, or seem a bit mechanical at times, but it's intriguing to hear the high-tech production values that were missing from their initial attempts at creating layers of detail in their arrangements, and there are some fine pop songs here as well. The A List could have been sequenced better -- its track listing was determined through a poll of fans, various critics, and band associates, and the selections were simply arranged according to which ones received the largest number of votes, meaning that the compilation loses a little steam since many of the best songs appear toward the beginning. Still, that's a minor flaw, especially since The A List is such a handy overview of the band's uneven comeback albums. It's the best way to hear catchy slices of post-punk avant-pop like "Ahead," "Kidney Bingos," "Eardrum Buzz," and "In Vivo," and for all but the most devoted, The A List is probably all that's necessary from this period.

Wire 1985-1990: The A List

Music EU