154
Product ID: 177414329
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Vinyl LP pressing. Digitally remastered edition of the British post-punk band's third album, originally released in 1979. 154 peaked at #39 in the UK Albums Chart, the highest position the band has achieved. The album is so named because the band had played 154 gigs in their career at the time of the album's release. Pitchfork listed 154 as 85th best album of the 1970s. Wire's first three albums need no introduction. They are the three classic albums on which Wire's reputation is based. Moreover, they are the recordings that minted the post-punk form. This was adopted by other bands, but Wire were there first. This vinyl version should be considered Wire's classic 1970s period, pure and undiluted. Review: Timeless masterpiece that should have been huge - Wire, one of the most underrated punk bands ever, had a way of making groundbreaking classics that never made it past their cult status, influencing tons of much weaker bands and just soldiering on, sometimes with line-up changes and breaks in their career. In 1979, they followed up their first two great albums, the seminal "Pink Flag" and "Chairs Missing", both rock and rolling punk masterpieces, with "154", an album that switched gears, and violently at that. It was truly art speaking up for itself and challenging fans to accept that Wire would not be a one trick pony. It is an astonishing piece of music, heavy on atmosphere, with heavy almost doomy guitar figures playing minimal but very effective tonal notes, bringing a new dimension to what could have defined extreme music had such music not been dominated by guitar overkill. The closest I can bring by way of comparison is the spacier elements perhaps of David Bowie, but this music is almost undefinable. Showing pop sensibilities while being forlorn and futuristic at the same time, this album at its release was clearly too far ahead of its time. Even today it sounds new and innovative. There are not many bands with the brilliance of Wire, who in one lineup or another have managed to be cutting edge, almost unable to stay within acceptable confines, which makes them even better. Maybe The Cure might have taken some of their cues from Wire, but nobody would or will surpass them. Review: Delicious from start to finish - "154." What to say about this masterpiece? To be sure, I am a Wire fan. As such, I write with a bias which favors the musical product of this band. The framework of Wire's compositions are rooted in intelligence, often wielding depth and complexity from minimalistic resources. I will always hold deep admiration and pleasure for their songs, which reflect the many corridors of human thought and feeling, translating those findings into incredible music. Wire is so much more than your typical "Baby, baby." (Incidentally, I am not knocking "baby, baby" songs. They're great, too.) Having said all of that, "154" is Wire at maximum command of all their musical prowess and charisma. I recommend this album for the listener who is exhausted with the trite and overused formulas that run rampant on the radio and TV. "154" is for those who want a little something different... and excellent.
S**D
Timeless masterpiece that should have been huge
Wire, one of the most underrated punk bands ever, had a way of making groundbreaking classics that never made it past their cult status, influencing tons of much weaker bands and just soldiering on, sometimes with line-up changes and breaks in their career. In 1979, they followed up their first two great albums, the seminal "Pink Flag" and "Chairs Missing", both rock and rolling punk masterpieces, with "154", an album that switched gears, and violently at that. It was truly art speaking up for itself and challenging fans to accept that Wire would not be a one trick pony. It is an astonishing piece of music, heavy on atmosphere, with heavy almost doomy guitar figures playing minimal but very effective tonal notes, bringing a new dimension to what could have defined extreme music had such music not been dominated by guitar overkill. The closest I can bring by way of comparison is the spacier elements perhaps of David Bowie, but this music is almost undefinable. Showing pop sensibilities while being forlorn and futuristic at the same time, this album at its release was clearly too far ahead of its time. Even today it sounds new and innovative. There are not many bands with the brilliance of Wire, who in one lineup or another have managed to be cutting edge, almost unable to stay within acceptable confines, which makes them even better. Maybe The Cure might have taken some of their cues from Wire, but nobody would or will surpass them.
M**K
Delicious from start to finish
"154." What to say about this masterpiece? To be sure, I am a Wire fan. As such, I write with a bias which favors the musical product of this band. The framework of Wire's compositions are rooted in intelligence, often wielding depth and complexity from minimalistic resources. I will always hold deep admiration and pleasure for their songs, which reflect the many corridors of human thought and feeling, translating those findings into incredible music. Wire is so much more than your typical "Baby, baby." (Incidentally, I am not knocking "baby, baby" songs. They're great, too.) Having said all of that, "154" is Wire at maximum command of all their musical prowess and charisma. I recommend this album for the listener who is exhausted with the trite and overused formulas that run rampant on the radio and TV. "154" is for those who want a little something different... and excellent.
A**R
Amazing!!
Amazing record!! Be one of the few ppl you know that actually have great taste in music! Just buy it!
H**C
Not sure what happened to this one. But still a must
I have all 3 of these "special" releases and like the others: super high quality packaging etc BUT it sounds bad??? Over driven on some songs, weak or just low fi on other tracks, almost like early Guided By Voices BUT they were going for that kind of sound. My vinyl version of 154 is no great shake either but it was a promo copy so I left it at that. Chairs Missing and Pink Flag are streets ahead of 154 fidelity wise. I thought they would have worked some magic on this one ... That said still a MUST for any Wire fan . Just don't buy this one first
L**R
154 number 1
The vinyl 4 Men With Beards version of this album is superb. The sound is better than the original Harvest/EMI release while the mastering is faithful to the original version. The record itself is very clean sounding with no pops and almost silent between songs (the Beards are good at this). The artwork is beautifully recreated and even improved on in the case of the label. The other two 4 Men With Beards re-releases of the Wire albums Chairs Missing, and Pink Flag are just as good in their magnificent sound and high quaility artwork. Bravo Beards!
S**N
The Stuff Of Dreams
The best in the series. Do yourself a favor and sequence the demos provided in album order. It’s like listening to 154 again for the first time, only better without the heavy handed production. I can’t stop listening to it. It’s that amazing.
T**R
Must have deluxe edition
154 has always been a unique and special album. This deluxe version is fantastic and a must for fans. The original album sounds brilliant with the remastering. Having all of the singles and demos included is great. Possibly the very best of post-punk
B**E
Great Wire album
Loved this collection! Been a fan of this album for 40 years. Liked the stories, the CDs and the photos.
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