Customer Reviews

A Houseguest's Wish: Translations of Wire's 'Outdoor Miner'

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source: www.alternativemalta.com

`He lies on his side as he's trying to hide the fact it's the earth which he's known since birth.' And those are the most famous lines in Wire's most underrated (and they had a lot) single `Outdoor Miner'. As it has approached it's 25th anniversary, the label Words on Music have decided to celebrate by hunting down 19 artists to sing this irresistible post-punk tune. I know, I know, 19 people singing the same song over and over again - sounds boring.

But in all honesty, there is such a vast array of styles that the momentum never ceases. There's an indie pop version (Lush), a slowcore version (Timonium), a punk version (Boy Division) and even electronica (Juntile). Furthermore the majority of these bands hail from different countries: obviously the US and UK, but even Spain and Germany. To make this compilation even more desireable, Swervedriver frontman Adam Franklin has gone out of hiding to record a version as well! (his acoustic interpretation is a definite standout).
This compilation is testimony to the fact that Wire are still a relevant band and have left an imprint on music - mostly post-punk, and I can hear them in most of the current crop of bands that are popular today. What would Bloc Party and The Rakes sound like if this band didn't exist? Wire have had a big part to play in the music world. Whenever you hear a band with weird lyrics, simplistic but interesting chord changes, an innovative use of keyboard sounds, or even counting in French you know where their roots lie. This compilation is a testament to Wire's greatness and hopefully they'll be an influence to more bands on the way.

For a song whose lyrics are, let's say, "cryptic" and are obviously repeated over and over again on the CD...this works. Versions vary widely, the bands appear to have put forth the effort to learn and "own" the tune. Favorites are by Polar and Lush. Sharron Krause is creative. Can't strongly recommend this CD because it's mostly mediocre, but if you keep the volume low it's OK to put on repeat, kick back and do some reading/writing/whatever.