In an echo chamber
Wire Train — Chamber of Hellos
(From the LP In A Chamber, 415/Columbia Records 1984)
In my personal hierarchy of 415 Records bands, Romeo Void were always and forever at the top, and everyone else pretty much battled for second. The problem for me was that for some reason, the 415 bands always had trouble with second acts. Translator’s Heartbeats and Triggers was a minor masterpiece, and Red Rockers followed their promising, politically-minded debut Condition Red with 1983’s killer single “China” b/w “Voice of America,” probably the best record ever associated with the label, and Wire Train debuted with one of the better jangle-pop records to appear in R.E.M.’s first wake, In A Chamber, which had two outstanding singles in “Never” and “Chamber of Hellos.” But then all of those bands released over-slick, over-produced follow-ups that fell victim to most of the cliches of bad 80s production and blunted whatever charm the songs had. Personally, I blame David Kahne, but that’s another post for another time. Still, although I can’t fully recommend any of the several albums Wire Train released after their debut, In A Chamber remains a highly enjoyable listen.
–Stewart Mason
jim said,
December 21, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
Stewart: i agree and disagree! I liked both Translator & Wire Trains’ second lp’s a ton…yeah they were a bit slicker, but the songs were still there to me….i thought that NOTHING Wire Train did after the second album was that great, especially the stuff for MCA…….and I am in a HUGE minority that likes the last Red Rockers lp “Schizophrenic Circus” which has some pretty good spots in it….no “Condition red”, but that’s ok….just my two cents! Jim in snowy suburban Boston.
Michael Bowen said,
December 22, 2008 @ 6:26 am
Considering what David Kahne did to The Bangles, I’d say that placing the blame on him is pretty reasonable.
Anonymous said,
December 22, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Another thumbs up to that second Translator lp. The third one was a real stinker, though.
Stewart said,
December 22, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Clearly I need to go back and revisit the second Translator album. I do remember that it was better than the third and fourth ones, but I was so in love with HEARTBEATS AND TRIGGERS that I remember considering it a real disappointment at the time.
jonder said,
December 22, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
At least give another listen to the songs “Un-Alone” and “No Time Like Now”. Those were as good as anything on Heartbeats + Triggers.
Crunk said,
December 25, 2008 @ 11:12 am
I disagree about Translator and just a little on Wire Train.
I think there is something good in all four Translator albums (which finally came out on CD last year or so). And the second Wire Train is pretty good, although I will agree that it is too slick, and a little too much like U2 at times. Once Kurt Herr left the band they lost me completely.
Patrick said,
March 24, 2009 @ 7:47 am
I saw them open up for the Psychedelic Furs BITD. Great band, and loved to play along to this record (taped from the library’s copy, as i was taking part in killing the record industry at that time).
Their drummer would later play drums for Paul Westerberg, circa … right around the time that Tommy Keene started playing guitar for him.
Cait said,
April 8, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
this rules.