Wire - "Object 47" (2008) + "Read & Burn 03" (EP, 2007)

I actually bought album for one single reason, the cover. Born and raised in Uppsala, Sweden, I couldn't resist, everyone familiar with the town recognizes what's on the cover. At first, however, I couldn't believe it was true, why would Uppsala's water tower be on the cover of an album with Wire, a legendary British punk band? They must have a similar water tower in England, designed by the same architect. But the mystery was solved when I read online that the band's bassist Graham Lewis resides in Uppsala since the late 80's, thanks to meeting his wife-to-be there. He is, of course, the one who has taken the photos on Uppsala's water tower, there are also some of them on the inner sleeve.

This was Wire's 11th studio album, and their 47th object in their discography, hence the title. As usual, the band's high quality art-post-punk-pop is solid, and they deliver a good album. This is the fourth album I acquired with Wire, so my knowledge of the band's music is relatively limited. But compared to my other Wire records, Object 47 is quite fast-paced and uptempo all the time, the dark, calm, suggestive songs / sound creations are not found on this album, which is something I can miss. I've liked these pauses from the more fast-paced songs earlier, it creates an interesting contrast, and let your ears rest for a while.

This was the first album without the guitarist Bruce Gilbert, so the band had become a trio. Despite the lack of the more dark and calm creations, I like the record, especially the choruses tend to stick in the head. Many of the songs on Object 47 are really catchy, catchy art-punk-pop.

As a bonus, the band / label has added the EP Read & Burn 03 from the previous year in the sleeve. Four songs are offered here, which are also high quality creations. The initial, almost 10-minute, 23 Years Too Late is probably the most odd creation, even though it's by no means "difficult". But here I get somewhat compensated regarding to the LP's lack of more odd songs / musical experiments.

So on the whole, a nice, fast-paced album. Wire rests clearly in the punk genre, despite various other influences, so if you're allergic to punk,  maybe you wont like Object 47. But it is melodious, catchy, and not as neurotic as on some of their other albums.

Whole of Uppsala water tower (pic not from the LP) 

Tracklist

Page A
1. One Of Us
2. Circumspect
3. Mekon Headman
4. Perspex Icon
5. Four Long Years

Page B
1. Hard Currency
2. Patient Flees
3. Are You Ready
4. All Fours


Read & Burn EP

Page A
1. 23 Years Too Late
2. Our Time

Page B
1. No Warning Given
2. Desert Diving