[Review] Wire - Pink Flag
10/11
The “Flag” of punk rock flies in many colors. Black symbolizes "those who take shit but never wiped clean, using punk rock to clean their asses," while the pink flag is more "moderate"—neither red nor black, embodying a greater sense of artistry rather than street-protest shouting.
This album is minimalist—not only in the "punk-style minimalism" of compressing 21 tracks into 39 minutes—but also in simplifying the music itself, stripping it down to the core guitar riffs, rhythm, and melody. It expresses only essential ideas, making its point without overstaying its welcome.
The album is filled with tension, yet it's restrained by fragmented guitar work. Bruce Gilbert's guitar is sharp, repetitive, dissonant, and aggressive, yet the melodies remain catchy. The rhythm section adds a solid foundation, giving the music a danceable dynamism.
Lyrically, it moves beyond the traditional punk angst over class conflict. Instead of direct anger, it observes society in a smarter, more detached way. The lyrics are often fragmented and riddle-like, inviting listeners to interpret and reflect rather than passively receive.
Recommended Tracks:
Reuters – Catchy melody, themes of media and distorted information.
Straight Line – Consumerism and social norms.
Pink Flag (The imagery itself represents left-wing ideology.)