Album 15

[Marconi Delorian]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

Well to be honest, I find International Blue to be exactly the antithesis of "one of the best singles since their glory days", it's scraping the barrel with this kind of unimaginative, cartoonish version of a commercial faux anthem that they think fans want (see also: It's Not War, Autumnsong, Decline and Fall, Your Love Alone Is Not Enough).

I agree with a lot of what you wrote, but I must defend International Blue - it's a cut above all the others you've mentioned (liked YLA at the time but quickly tired of it, especially live. I can't stand It's Not War or Autumnsong - the latter is their nadir among close competition from that era).

It contains a dynamism lacking in many of their songs - a real drive that I can only describe as Sprinsteen-esque. James can be lazy with melodies but this is pleasing and I can't but help sing along, even when he disappears up in the chorus. It may be formulaic, but it's at the top end of the formula for me. Lyrically it's not a stand out, but again I like the lyrics and don't find them cringeworthy unlike many other of Wire's.