Quick Take

In contrast with many of their punk peers, Wire were enigmatic and cerebral, always keeping a distance from the crowd. Although Pink Flag appeared before the end of 1977, it was already a meta-commentary on the punk scene and was far more revolutionary musically than the rest of the competition. Few punk bands moved beyond pared-down rock 'n' roll and garage rock, football-terrace sing-alongs or shambolic pub rock and, if we're honest, only a handful of punk records hold up today as anything other than increasingly quaint period pieces. While the majority of their peers flogged one idea to death and paid only lip service to punk's Year Zero credo, Wire took a genuinely radical approach, deconstructing song conventions, exploring new possibilities and consistently reinventing their sound. THIS IS A CHORD. THIS IS ANOTHER. THIS IS A THIRD. NOW FORM A BAND, proclaimed the caption to the famous diagram in a UK fanzine in 1976 and countless punk acts embodied that do-it-yourself spirit. Wire, however, showed more interesting ways of doing it once you'd formed that band and they found more compelling uses for those three mythical chords.

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Pink Flag

Introduction

Pink Flag, written by Wilson Neate, is a book that delves into the enigmatic and cerebral world of Wire, a punk band that took a radically different approach to music. Published in 1977, Pink Flag was a meta-commentary on the punk scene and stood out for its innovative musical style. This book aims to explore the album's significance, track-by-track analysis, and the band's impact on the music industry.

About Wilson Neate

Wilson Neate, the author of Pink Flag, is a renowned music journalist and writer. With a height of 6'3", Neate brings his extensive knowledge and passion for music to this book. His writing style is engaging and provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of Wire's music and the album's historical context.

Analysis of Views

Innovative Approach: Many readers praised Wire's innovative approach to music, deconstructing song conventions and exploring new possibilities. The band's ability to consistently reinvent their sound was seen as a significant factor in their success.
Track-by-Track Breakdown: The book's track-by-track breakdown was highly appreciated by readers. It encouraged them to listen more closely to each song, which was seen as a worthwhile task since many of the tracks are short and fast-paced.
Insightful Interviews: The inclusion of interviews with band members and contemporaries added depth and context to the book. Readers found it insightful to learn about the band's formation, recording process, and influences.
Engaging Writing: Wilson Neate's writing style was praised for being engaging and accessible. Readers appreciated his ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner, making the book enjoyable to read.
Limited Focus on Punk Scene: Some readers felt that the book had a limited focus on the punk scene and its context. They wished for more exploration of the band's place within the broader punk movement and how they influenced other artists.
Lack of Consistency: A few readers noted that the book didn't always maintain a consistent flow. They found the first half to be somewhat tedious, with lengthy discussions on rock genres and definitions. However, they appreciated the second half, which focused more on the album itself and provided insightful track-by-track analysis.
Pedantry: Some readers found certain sections of the book pedantic, particularly when it came to analyzing lyrics. They felt that the band's intentionally ambiguous lyrics were overly dissected and that the author's interpretations sometimes didn't align with their own understanding of the songs.
Personal Appreciation: Many readers expressed their personal appreciation for Wire and their music. They found the book to be a valuable resource in understanding the band's early history and their influential album Pink Flag. The book inspired them to revisit the album and gain a deeper appreciation for its genius.

Reasons for Recommendation

In-Depth Analysis: Readers recommend this book for its in-depth analysis of Wire's album Pink Flag. The track-by-track breakdown provides valuable insights into each song's inspiration, recording process, and significance within the punk scene.
Engaging Writing: Wilson Neate's engaging writing style makes the book enjoyable to read. His ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner makes it accessible to both newcomers and die-hard fans of Wire.
Historical Context: The inclusion of interviews with band members and contemporaries adds depth and context to the book. Readers appreciate learning about the band's formation, influences, and impact on the music industry.
Personal Appreciation: Many readers express their personal appreciation for Wire and their music, finding this book to be a valuable resource in understanding their early history and influential album Pink Flag. It inspires them to revisit the album and gain a deeper appreciation for its genius.
Track-by-Track Breakdown: The book's track-by-track breakdown encourages readers to listen more closely to each song, which is seen as a worthwhile task since many of the tracks are short and fast-paced. This approach allows readers to fully appreciate Wire's innovative musical style and reinventions of song conventions.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Limited Focus on Punk Scene: Some readers felt that the book had a limited focus on the punk scene and its context. They wished for more exploration of Wire's place within the broader punk movement and how they influenced other artists.
Pedantry: A few readers found certain sections of the book pedantic, particularly when it came to analyzing lyrics. They felt that the band's intentionally ambiguous lyrics were overly dissected, which sometimes didn't align with their own understanding of the songs. This could be seen as a drawback for readers seeking a more straightforward analysis of the album's lyrics.

Conclusion

Pink Flag by Wilson Neate is a highly recommended book for fans of Wire and those interested in exploring the punk scene of the late 1970s. The book provides an in-depth analysis of Wire's groundbreaking album, Pink Flag, through track-by-track breakdowns, interviews with band members, and insightful commentary on each song's inspiration and significance within the genre. While some readers found certain sections tedious or pedantic, overall, Pink Flag is praised for its engaging writing style, historical context, and ability to inspire a deeper appreciation for Wire's innovative musical approach. Whether you are a die-hard fan or simply curious about Wire's place within punk history, this book offers valuable insights into their influential album and their impact on music as a whole.