Wire have always recognized live performances as an eye-opening opportunity for interesting things, taking their art rock strengths into new grounds, ground you either love or hate; I'm a lover of it personally. While most musicians play live music like it sounds in the studio, but Wire are quite unique in that they simply don't wish to, not to say none of their live performances are anything like their studio material, but rather they don't have any barriers. And anyone who loved Document & Eyewitness for this reason but hated the lack of audio quality will really get into this piece of history.

The first Peel session, 1-4, are more what you would expect from a Peel session, 4 songs somewhat stripped from their polished bearings. The studio songs represented are a bit edgier but each have interesting new flares that make them very worth hearing. You also hear an entirely new song, 'Culture Vultures', a major bonus; while it's not one of their best, nor one of their best non-album recordings, it's still a good track and works snuggly between I Am The Fly and 106 Beats That.

The second session, 5-8, is in my opinion even better than their first, with more focus on reinterpreting their songs. This recording of The Other Window is much heavier, faster, and punk-driven; I still prefer the studio version but this is still superb. Then there's Mutual Friend, which I do prefer over the studio in that it doesn't meander musically so much. For anyone who didn't care for the electronic production of 154 will find this recording of On Returning refreshing, if not a great performance. Indirect Inquires stays pretty identical to the original, though a bit longer, and more hypnotic.

The final session, a weird punch in the face to conventional pop, is a low-tempo spoken word(ish) affair that lasts nearly 16 minutes. Crazy About Love will surely drive Pink Flag fans insane, but if you allow yourself to get into you'll really enjoy it, especially if you're familiar with Document & Eyewitness or Vien.

Overall I really enjoy having this in my collection of Wire's catalogue. For fans who have trouble taking in Wire's 'Mute' period, this'll come as a breath of fresh, punkier air for lovers of Wire's first three albums. Some may find it, a collection of 9 songs/40 minutes, rather short for a CD compilation, but as an exclusive mix of their Peel Sessions it can't be better except that it does exclude a later session from the mid 80's (but can fortunately be found elsewhere). There are some liner notes about the Wire's Peel sessions as well.

While this compilation may not be a necessity for Wire fans, it's a fun and often introspective listen, not to mention the only CD release of the single 'Crazy About Love' (Sure, an odd recording for a single, but that's what Wire's about).

Excellent capturing of the band at a prolifically inventive period. Sharp and sparkling versions of, i am the fly, 106 beats that.