Silver/Lead
by Wire
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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  1. The Skinny
    Mar 28, 2017
    60
    The biggest problem with this album is its bloated mid-section, which drags down the commendable peaks of its opening and closing segments.
  2. Pretty Much Amazing
    Apr 4, 2017
    58
    They do work up some magic every now and then.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Mar 31, 2017
    58
    On these songs [“Playing Harp For The Fishes,” “Short Elevated Period,” and “Diamonds In Cups”], Silver/Lead strikes the perfect balance of moody intrigue and saw-toothed aggression. Unfortunately, the rest of the album isn’t calibrated quite as precisely, which makes for an uneven listening experience.
  5. Exclaim
    Mar 29, 2017
    50
    Unlike their past efforts, though, Silver/Lead is sluggish when it needs to be spry and dull when it ought to be meditative.
  6. Under The Radar
    Apr 4, 2017
    40
    Nothing really stands out, and the songs that do--the catchy "Short Elevated Period," as well as the two musical highlights of the album, "This Time" and "Sleep on the Wing"--don't leave enough of an impression to be overly impressed by.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. StevenX
    May 11, 2018
    5
    With their last two discs falling between great and amazing, I expected much more from Wire's latest. After an auspicious 2-song start, theyWith their last two discs falling between great and amazing, I expected much more from Wire's latest. After an auspicious 2-song start, they drop into monotonous mid-tempo and pretty much stay there. More lead vocals from Graham Lewis would have perhaps added a point - his range and expressiveness outrun Colin Newman's by a long shot, and pull at least a little more interest. They say this was released to coincide with their 40th anniversary of their first proper gig - I wish that gig had been a year later so they'd have had time to punch this up. Putting a timetable on art can mean forcing it into something it shouldn't be; the result here feels more like an obligation than a celebration. Let's go for more silver than lead next time, please, guys?… Full Review »
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