.com Most Americans' first taste of XTC came from this CD, originally released in 1979. The band's first full-length without cofounder Barry Andrews, it was a cavalcade of Andy Partridge's neuroses and paranoia. Although it contained two quirky bona fide pop songs--the calling card "Making Plans for Nigel" and the breezy "Life Begins at the Hop"--the music as a whole was as jagged as Partridge's attitude. "Complicated Game" and "Scissor Man" have the singer's haunting howl echoing and whispering throughout, sounding like a fun house operator gone mad, while "Real by Reel," another pop standout, might be the most conventional song on the CD. Drums and Wires is a must-have for anybody who is only discovering the band. Skylarking and the collected singles are the only other releases that come close to capturing the band's early and earnest dementia. --Steve Gdula
T**7
Fifteen for Fifteen
Drums and Wires was a purchase that I held off on for a long time, and I don't know why, because it's absolutely brilliant. After getting hooked on English Settlement, Black Sea and Skylarking, I perhaps thought that it wouldn't be easy to adapt to their earlier sound. I was wrong, because this album is much more toned down compared to their first two releases, White Music and Go 2, which are extremely new waveish and punkish. Drums and Wires has the new wave and punk sounds, but is more "tuneish." The album starts with a song that isn't exactly the best to kick off with--Making Plans for Nigel. While it's a classic, and a great song, it somehow doesn't fit into the first slot very well. The second song, (Helicopter) would've been a better starter. What I like most about this album is its catchy choruses and overall simplicity. Dave Gregory joined the band after Barry Andrews departed, and the songs immediately had more texture and depth. This is a great album to start your collection with. Standout tracks include MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL, HELICOPTER, DAY IN DAY OUT (guitars sound a lot like Black Flag), TEN FEET TALL, ROADS GIRDLE THE GLOBE, REEL BY REEL (sort of sounds like the Rolling Stones), MILLIONS (my favorite track on the album) THAT IS THE WAY and COMPLICATED GAME. The guys were in top form for this one........you won't be disappointed. In fact, all 15 songs are stellar!!! 10/10
R**N
XTC is an addiction with no cure
There, I said it. Once you become an XTC addict, you'll never recover. If you don't want the addiction, stay away from Drums & Wires because it'll suck you right in. So many hooks, so much rhythm, everything about it is sensational.I'm told by a quality source that Tool's Maynard James Keenan is also a fan.
A**F
NOT the original on CD
The CD only contains 2014 remixes. If you want to listen to the original album it's only provided via DVD-Audio. Not much help to those who want to rip to iTunes.
M**.
Another great XTC album
Bought this on vinyl when it first came out. Been meaning to add it to my CD collection. It’s a great album. Also bought Black Sea at the same and listen to both extensively on my work commute. Highly recommended.
G**M
Great reliability, great service!!!!
Great service again and always, thanks once again.
B**G
XTC is awesome
XTC rocks the product was in excellent condition!!
M**Y
One of their best............
XTC are great on this album........Tunes to dance to, lyrics to sing out loud, energy enough to get even an aged punker like myself moving around in a joyful manner................
E**L
To me this is the quintessential XTC album. The ...
To me this is the quintessential XTC album. The songs take a bit of getting used to, but after 4 or 5 listenings one really appreciates them .
S**L
Five Stars
😊
S**R
Five Stars
MEMORIES🤗
S**G
Best album
I absolutely love this album! I used to have it on vinyl and didn't replace it when we no longer had a turntable so I hadn't heard it for a long time. I had forgotten how brilliant it was. You can't help singing along to every track.
L**O
Great album, defective tracks...
Great album, one of my favorites, too bad the DVD-A stereo mix was defective in tracks 11 and 12 and Amazon said that only could reimburse me 8 pounds and I had to pay shipping costs. I had never spent this. No way...
M**N
They were never really a punk band where they?
One of a whole host of band's who leapt on the punk's new wave only to surf off in a new direction, XTC's second album confirmed that the bondage trousers were never really part of the band's wardrobe. The gentle pop of 'Making Plans for Nigel' opens the album and remains the album's most famous moment but, although 'Black Sea' probably remains the band's definitive 40 minutes, this is a close second. The Beatles fixation and Andy Partridge's increasingly desperate attempts to be the clever man's pop-star were to hold the band back as they continued with an increasingly obscure career in the late 80s and 90s, but here there is a nice mixture of reflective pop, such as 'Ten Feet Tall', spikier tunes or anthemic recordings. The closing crescendo of 'Complicated Game' has always been a personal favourite. But punk? No way.
