Gilbert, Bc / Lewis, G. 3R4 LP Vinyl

Limited vinyl LP reissue. In 1980, after three relentlessly creative albums, the members of Wire were at an impasse, unsure of how to push themselves any further as a four-piece rock band. While front man Colin Newman spent the band's hiatus mining Wire's knack for intelligent and contorted pop songs, guitarist Bruce Gilbert and bassist/vocalist Graham Lewis joined forces for a series of experimental projects (Dome, Cupol, etc.) where the primary motivating concept was "studio as instrument." 3R4, the duo's only LP under the B.C. Gilbert/G. Lewis moniker and the very second album to be released on 4AD, eschews melody and structure in favor of ambient-noise soundscapes, metallic textures and tense moods. If the brief "Barge Calm" tracks appear like sonic exercises, the longer pieces ("3. 4..." and "R") are true exorcisms, conjuring supernatural found-sounds with the patience and deliberation of (un)holy men. Play this record loud and try not to think that it is the soundtrack to a lost David Lynch film.

1. Barge Calm 2. 3. 4 3. Barge Calm 4. R