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Red Barked Tree
by
Red Barked Tree Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

  • Summary: Birthed from the British punk explosion, Wire's rousing experimental rock has lasted decades and continues with the release of the post-punk trio's 12th studio album.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. BBC Music
    Jan 7, 2011
    90
    Their 11th studio album is 40 minutes of gorgeous nothings, full of intricate curlicues of sparkling Colin Newman guitar and synth given beef by the surging rhythms of Robert Grey aka Gotobed and Graham Lewis
  2. Boston Globe
    Jan 10, 2011
    80
    As late efforts go, Red Barked Tree sounds alive, vital, and appropriately restless; and as aging rockers go, Wire remains well worth whatever wait comes next.
  3. Clash Music
    Jan 11, 2011
    80
    The band's third generation began just after the turn of the century and this LP completes a trilogy of new work that is confident yet vulnerable, refined yet earthy, moody yet flippant, representing a highly commendable contribution to the current scene, suggesting they are more relevant today than ever before.
  4. Drowned In Sound
    Jan 21, 2011
    80
    Potentially most interesting of all is the way parts of Red Barked Tree sound dated in a manner completely unrelated to how some of Wire's records haven't, y'know, aged that well.
  5. The Wire
    Mar 1, 2011
    80
    The reason it all works is because with repetition and familiarity comes discipline and rigour--and Wire still have a lively and open relationship with both of them. [Feb 2011, p.57]
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  6. Slant Magazine
    Jan 11, 2011
    70
    There's enough good to be found here, as well as in the band's restless exploration of new avenues, that Red Barked Tree can stand on its own in the enduring continuum of the band's progress and not just as a pale imitation of older material.
  7. AllMusic
    Jan 10, 2011
    60
    Red Barked Tree is another strong effort, and while Wire is still making music that shatters expectations, after 30 years they're sounding a lot like the mainstream rockers they once despised.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Hackskeptic
    May 30, 2011
    8
    If you're looking for a trip down Nostalgia Avenue then you'll be sadly disappointed. If you're looking for invigorating, ambitious andIf you're looking for a trip down Nostalgia Avenue then you'll be sadly disappointed. If you're looking for invigorating, ambitious and infectious alternative rock then...BINGO!!! http://hackskeptic.com… Expand
  2. AndresR
    Jan 17, 2011
    8
    The only thing you can expect of an album by Wire, is that, save for some rhythmic patterns that have been more or less constant, it is goingThe only thing you can expect of an album by Wire, is that, save for some rhythmic patterns that have been more or less constant, it is going to be completely different from the previous one(s). Red Barked Tree is once again an example of this. Less abrasive than Send, yet as edgy as anything the band has recorded. It would be preposterous to compare it to their classic first trilogy of albums, but at least they do offer a fresh air in today´s musical landscape, something you would expect from such a veteran outfit.… Expand
  4. jackkenichis
    Jan 24, 2011
    6
    Since the creation of their own record label â
  5. Deathromp
    Feb 20, 2011
    6
    Initially I came across Pink Flag after a recommendation from Evan Dando of the Lemonheads (my second personal encounter, but I digress) - IInitially I came across Pink Flag after a recommendation from Evan Dando of the Lemonheads (my second personal encounter, but I digress) - I canâ… Collapse

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