Wire's debut album, Pink Flag (1977), contains songs which are diverse in mood and style, but most use a minimalist punk approach, unorthodox structures, and several songs are under a minute in length; "Field Day For The Sundays" is only 28 seconds long.
Chairs Missing followed in 1978, and found Wire stepping back from the stark minimalism of Pink Flag, with longer, more atmospheric songs and synthesizer parts added by producer Mike Thorne. The experimentation was even more prominent on 154 (1979). Many of the songs had bassist Graham Lewis on lead vocals.
In 1979, creative differences pulled the band in different directions, leading to the Document and Eyewitness LP (1981), a recording of a performance that featured, almost exclusively, new material. The LP came packaged with an EP of a different performance of more new material. Some of these songs, along with others performed but not included on the album, were included on Colin Newman's post-Wire solo albums ("5/10", "We Meet Under Tables"), while others were released by Gilbert and Lewis' primary post-Wire outlet Dome ("And Then...", "Ritual View"). The band disbanded for the first time in 1980
Between 1981-85 Wire ceased recording and performing in favour of solo and non-Wire collaborative projects such as Dome, Cupol, Duet Emmo, and several Colin Newman solo efforts. In 1985, the group reformed as a "beat combo" (a joking reference to early 1960s beat music or even possibly beatniks), with greater use of electronic musical instruments. It released It's Beginning To And Back Again (IBTABA) in 1989, a "live" album of mostly re-worked versions of songs from The Ideal Copy and A Bell Is a Cup...Until It Is Struck, heavily re-arranged, edited, and remixed. A new song from the album, "Eardrum Buzz", became the band's biggest charting single.
Gotobed left the band in 1990, after the release of the album Manscape. After his departure, the band dropped one letter from its name, becoming "Wir" (still pronounced "wire"), and released The First Letter in 1991. Once again, the band disbanded in 1992 There followed a further period of solo recordings, during which Newman founded the Swim ~ label, and later Githead with his wife (ex-Minimal Compact bassist Malka Spigel), while Wire remained an occasional collaboration. It was not until 1999 that Wire again became a full-time entity.
With Gotobed back in the line-up (now using his birth name, Robert Grey), the group initially reworked much of their back catalogue for a performance at Royal Festival Hall on 26 February 2000. Wire's reception during a short tour of the US, and a number of UK gigs, convinced the band to continue. Two EPs and an album Send (2003) followed, as well as collaborations with stage designer Es Devlin and artists Jake and Dinos Chapman. In 2004 the band split once more.
In 2006, Wire's 1970s albums were re-released with original vinyl track listings. Rumours abounded of a renewal of activity to mark the 30th anniversary of the band's debut as a 4 piece and the re-release of Pink Flag in 2007. A third Read & Burn EP was released in November, 2007.
A full-length album of new material entitled Object 47 was released in July 2008. Bruce Gilbert was not involved in this recording, although according to Colin Newman, he did feature in a minimal capacity on the third Read and Burn EP. 2011 saw the release of the band's twelfth studio album Red Barked Tree.
Attractive Space
Wire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flat glasses full, the prize inflated
Sharpen the weapons of your trade
To endure, as well as you gave
Spinning often, in a trance
The surface smooth, don’t take the chance
Aqua plane in torrent pelt, skid across MacAdam’s belt
Launch into attractive space, falling from that pure state of grace
52 feet per sec per sec per sec per sec
To free my mind and break my neck
The lyrics of Wire's song Attractive Space are cryptic and full of symbolism, making it open to various interpretations. The first verse, "The consequences are mainly underrated, flat glasses full, the prize inflated, sharpen the weapons of your trade, to endure, as well as you gave," seems to be a commentary on the struggle for success in society. The "consequences" of striving for success may be "underrated," the "prize inflated," and individuals must "sharpen the weapons" (i.e., skills) needed to endure in a competitive world.
The second verse, "Spinning often, in a trance, the surface smooth, don’t take the chance, aqua plane in torrent pelt, skid across MacAdam’s belt, was it a miracle? That’s how it felt," is more abstract, describing a sensation of transcending reality. The spinning trance could represent a meditative state, and the reference to the smooth surface and aqua plane could symbolize the ease and freedom of movement. The line, "was it a miracle? That’s how it felt," suggests that this experience was transformative and almost supernatural.
The chorus, "Launch into attractive space, falling from that pure state of grace, 52 feet per sec per sec per sec per sec, to free my mind and break my neck," is similarly enigmatic. "Attractive space" is a physics term which refers to a point of equilibrium where gravitational forces and the centrifugal force are balanced. Falling from a "pure state of grace" could be interpreted as losing this balance and descending into an uncertain future. The last line, "to free my mind and break my neck," could suggest that the act of taking risks and leaving one's comfort zone is both liberating and dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
The consequences are mainly underrated
People don't fully comprehend the impact of their actions
Flat glasses full, the prize inflated
People tend to overvalue material possessions and their worth
Sharpen the weapons of your trade
Keep improving your skills and knowledge to succeed in your profession
To endure, as well as you gave
Persevere and always give your best effort, even when facing challenges
Spinning often, in a trance
Being caught up in routine or habits without much thought
The surface smooth, don’t take the chance
Things may seem easy, but proceeding without caution can lead to consequences
Aqua plane in torrent pelt, skid across MacAdam’s belt
Traveling in a quickly moving body of water or rain, sliding on a rough road surface
Was it a miracle? That’s how it felt
The situation felt miraculous, but may have just been a result of chance or luck
Launch into attractive space, falling from that pure state of grace
Taking risks and moving forward towards success, but acknowledging that it may be a difficult journey
52 feet per sec per sec per sec per sec
An acceleration rate that is both thrilling and dangerous
To free my mind and break my neck
Taking on challenges and risks in order to escape the monotony of routine, even if there may be consequences
Contributed by Sebastian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thomaskantor
Harpooned footage, while sort of impossible to capture in its full ear-shattering glory, is much appreciated!
@richard623
great. thanks.
@inkwithgold
<3
@sb42618
thank you!!
@PeoMadek
thx!