Colin Newman - "A - Z"

Hey imaginary gang, hope you're all doing well. If anyone is actually reading these posts and checking out the files, I promise I won't mind if you leave me some feedback... Anyway, today I bring you an artifact from the early 1980's, a solo record by Wire singer/guitarist Colin Newman titled A - Z.

This little gem was recorded with a backing band that featured Wire drummer Robert Gotobed, as well as keyboardist Mike Thorne (who was, incidentally, the producer of Wire's second and third albums Chairs Missing and 154, respectively). Some dude by the name of Desmond Simmons plays bass on this record, but I've no idea who he is or what he did before/after A - Z.

This is a superb collection of songs that fans of Wire will surely appreciate. It's atmospheric yet energetic, with enough obtuse lyrics and strangely processed instruments to keep your head spinning for days. "Warped" might be a good word to apply here. A - Z bears a strong resemblance to Wire's early work in terms of the use of simple, driving rhythms, but it actually feels more developed than, say, 154. The arrangements are a little more full, and while I certainly appreciate Wire's minimalist approach, the pieces on this album have a certain "heavy weightlessness" to them that the band may have been trying to achieve without quite getting there.

For example, "Alone" has the sullen, wistful air of regret that Graham Lewis attempted on 154's opening cut "I Should Have Known Better," but the Newman composition works better in part because it doesn't feel nearly as self-conscious. It works as a pop song as well as it does a piece of art, which is a balance that Wire couldn't always manage (but God bless 'em for trying).

That subtle Brian Eno ambient influence that always seemed to lurk beneath the surface of Wire's quieter moments makes itself a little more prominent, especially during the intro and outro to "Image," which is interesting considering that at some point during his art school career Newman used to hang out with Eno and a couple other artists and talk about ideas, techniques, and processes. There are places on A - Z where Wire bill-sharers Joy Division come to mind, and one has to wonder who was a bigger influence on who.

The 1998 Beggars' Banquet CD reissue thoughtfully included a few bonus tracks that weren't on the original album. They're the last three numbers here, and they're perhaps a little more technologically accomplished but they blend in perfectly with the material that precedes them. "Not Me" sounds like a lost Wire track from sometime between Pink Flag and Chairs Missing, and the chorus ("You didn't touch me...") wouldn't sound out of place on a Radiohead record, making Newman's lasting influence and obvious brilliance clear for all to see.

A - Z is a "should-have-been-classic" album of the era, and I highly recommend listening to it here and then snagging a copy for yourself. I'm pretty sure it's still in print, thought it may be a little hard to track down in your average middle-American record store.

Get this file, dammit!