154

154 is the third album by the English post-punk band Wire, released in 1979 on EMI imprint Harvest Records in the UK and Europe and Warner Bros. Records in America. Branching out even further from the minimalist punk rock style of their earlier work, 154 is considered a progression of the sounds displayed on Wire’s previous album Chairs Missing, with the group experimenting with slower tempos, fuller song structures and a more prominent use of guitar effects, synthesizers and electronics. The album is so named because the band had played 154 gigs in their career at the time of the album’s release. The unusual title of the track “Map Ref 41°N 93°W” was based on a guess of the centre of the American Midwest by bassist and singer Graham Lewis; the location of these coordinates is coincidentally close to Centerville, Iowa. Following the album’s release, a falling out with the band’s record label, EMI, as well as creative differences led to their breaking up in 1980, making 154 the band’s last album up until their eventual reunion in 1985 and subsequent release of The Ideal Copy in 1987.

Tracklisting

  1. I Should Have Known Better (3:50)
  2. Two People In A Room (2:08)
  3. The 15th (3:02)
  4. The Other Window (2:06)
  5. Single K.O. (2:19)
  6. A Touching Display (6:25)
  7. On Returning (2:05)
  8. A Mutual Friend (4:25)
  9. Blessed State (3:26)
  10. Once Is Enough (3:20)
  11. Map Ref. 41ºN 93ºW (3:35)
  12. Indirect Enquiries (3:33)
  13. 40 Versions (3:26)

Apple Music


Videos

I Should Have Known Better 2006 Remastered Version


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Release Information

Key Value
Wikipedia URL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/154_(album)
Format Vinyl LP Album Reissue
Label Pinkflag
Catalog Number PF13LP
Notes Manufactured under licence from The state51 Conspiracy. ℗ & © 2018 pinkflag Printed inner sleeve with credits and lyrics.
Discogs URL Wire - 154