During the punk wave of 1977 Wire used the nihilism of this movement in an artistic way. These four British art academics wrote energetic and cryptic punk songs with a minimum of playing technique. During two albums they underwent rapid musical development, resulting in the influential post-punk classic (1979). Shortly afterwards, Wire stopped leading an on-again, off-again existence from 1986 with
… irregular releases and gigs. The band members keep their passion for experimentation for side projects, Wire in 2020 mainly sounds like itself. Mind Hive also contains whimsical post-punk songs that are somewhere in between (1978) and 154. Singer Colin Newman has a recognizable voice out of thousands, sneering and melodic at the same time. Mind Hive is nothing more and less than just another excellent Wire album. (MR)more
