Best of the 70's: Pink Flag by Wire

I recently reviewed the latest album by Wire.  I complained in that review that the album felt a bit void of energy.  Well sitting at number 86 on the Best of the 1970's list this album certainly does not have that problem. 

There are a few things that you need to note about this album which came out in 1977 and is considered one of the early masterpieces of early punk.  First, these guys are pulling in a lot more influences than say The Ramones, as we get everything in here from art rock to R&B.  Second, the album as a whole feels like an experiment more than an album.  Let me explain that second point in more detail.

In the 1920's there were two art movements:  one in Paris, the Purists, and one in Moscow, the Constructovists.  Both had the same basic idea.  If you wanted to understand how art worked where would you begin?  For instance you have a painting with a bottle on it.  Why does it look like a bottle?  Is it the use of the colors?  Is it the shape?  Is it the dissection of plains?  In many ways this album reminds me of these movements.  There are fully flushed out songs on this album like "Reuters" which are simply brilliant.  Then you get songs like  "Field Day for the Sundays" a nice 28 second song, and you are left asking yourself is that a song.  If so, why?  What makes a song a song?  In total there are 21 tracks on this album but it's running time is only 36 minutes. 

Funny thing is this album really works.  If you are feeling a bit punkish and you want to go for a drive with the windows open and the music blasting I say throw this one on. 

Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 3 out of 5 stars for Pretty Good.