Why listen to this
- Best for
- long, immersive listening sessions dynamic emotional journeys wave-like pacing and flow
- Context
- Released in January 1988, 'A Bell Is a Cup' marked Wire's fifth studio album and their return after a five-year hiatus. The band was exploring new sonic territories after the critical success of their earlier works like 'Chairs Missing' and '154', showcasing a mature evolution in both their sound and lyrical complexity.
- If you like
- art punk
A Bell Is a Cup is an album by Wire, released in 1988. Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with sharp, dissonant rhythms, creating an immersive art punk experience. This album is notable for its experimental approach within the art punk genre, receiving positive reviews from critics and solidifying Wire's influence on subsequent post-punk artists. It also featured the track 'Silk Skin Paws', which became a staple in their live performances and has been covered by various artists over the years. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A Bell Is a Cup sound like?
Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with sharp, dissonant rhythms, creating an immersive art punk experience. Rooted in art punk.
What makes A Bell Is a Cup by Wire notable?
This album is notable for its experimental approach within the art punk genre, receiving positive reviews from critics and solidifying Wire's influence on subsequent post-punk artists. It also featured the track 'Silk Skin Paws', which became a staple in their live performances and has been covered by various artists over the years. Released in January 1988, 'A Bell Is a Cup' marked Wire's fifth studio album and their return after a five-year hiatus. The band was exploring new sonic territories after the critical success of their earlier works like 'Chairs Missing' and '154', showcasing a mature evolution in both their sound and lyrical complexity.
Who is A Bell Is a Cup for?
A Bell Is a Cup works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and wave-like pacing and flow.
How many songs are on A Bell Is a Cup?
A Bell Is a Cup has 14 tracks, running approximately 70 minutes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Silk Skin Paws Standout 4:53
- 2 The Finest Drops Standout 5:01
- 3 The Queen of Ur and the King of Um 4:03
- 4 Free Falling Divisions 3:39
- 5 It’s a Boy 4:26
- 6 Boiling Boy 6:22
- 7 Kidney Bingos Standout 4:12
- 8 Come Back in Two Halves 2:43
- 9 Follow the Locust 4:22
- 10 A Public Place 4:30
- 11 The Queen of Ur and the King of Um (alternative version) 4:02
- 12 Pieta 7:29
- 13 Over Theirs (live) 6:36
- 14 Drill (live) 8:01
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