Whatever way you want to look at it, rejuvenated ‘70s post-punks Wire are a pretty important band. The trio mightn’t have set the mainstream world on fire, but – having influenced everyone from the Cure and REM to Black Flag and Minor Threat – their sound has had a huge impact on generations of bands and they remain a potent music-making machine. When the group decided to reform to mark the 30th anniversary of their debut in 2006 though, many were doubtful that they’d be able to craft anything half as good as Pink Flag or Chairs Missing. But surprise, surprise, they’ve managed to pull it off and kept their credibility intact.
Red Barked Tree is a stately-sounding album that manages to perform that unbelievably difficult task of harking back to their early years, while also proving that they’ve grown up. ‘Bad Worn Thing’ has a great groove, ‘Please Take’ is a post-punk gem and the master of mope himself, Mr Robert Smith, would give his eye teeth to write a track as good as ‘Down To This’. All in all, the band’s twelfth record is a fine addition to their much storied career and will please a lot more than their hardcore fans.