While the majority of British punkers jumped at the opportunity to turn music into little more than a fashion statement with attitude, Wire stood apart from the crowd.

Bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Generation X, the Damned, the Stranglers, the Adverts, the Vibrators, etc., etc., seemed to put image and/or attitude over content, as if that were the point in the first place. The British punk scene provided access to an industry that had previously been off limits to those without talent. Seemingly overnight, Britain was crawling with a barrage of groups that had little ability to sing or play, and even less in the way of genuine material. Wire stood as the antithesis of that, playing material that inspired reflection, but with a cool detachment.

“Pink Flag” presents a distilled version of punk rock, putting art before fashion – content over commerce - and with a brevity that was quite refreshing. Only three songs break the three-minute mark. Upon first listen, it is virtually impossible to discern more than a phrase or two here and there, and the non-linear song structures only add to the confusion. The words don’t follow a logical rhythmic pattern, and songs end before repetition sets in, making it all the more difficult to hang on a specific riff or musical phrase. Repetition becomes the job of the listener, as the album practically demands that you listen closely and play it over and over again, which you could do for eternity without ever reaching any distinct conclusion other than “wow, this is really good”.  

What are they going on about? Why do the songs seem to constantly shift in unexpected directions, even after multiple listens? Post punk groups like Gang of Four and the Fall owe them a slice of their paycheck, and every hardcore offshoot should, and usually does, pay homage. Robert Pollard of Guided By Voices was certainly paying attention as well. These are the qualities that made “Pink Flag” the difficult stepchild of punk rock in 1977, and vital afterward.

FEATURED TRACKS:

Reuters

Field Day for the Sundays

Three Girl Rhumba

Ex Lion Tamer

Lowdown

Start to Move

Brazil

It's So Obvious

Surgeon's Girl

Pink Flag

The Commercial

Straight Line

106 Beats That

Mr. Suit

Strange

Fragile

Mannequin

Different to Me

Champs

Feeling Called Love

12 X U

December 1977 – Billboard Did Not Chart