The First Letter


The First Letter is the ninth studio album and the last album released by Wire before their second extended hiatus. It was one of only three releases credited to "Wir", the others being the "So And Slow It Grows" single, and a limited edition two song EP entitled Vien. The band changed their name to "Wir" after drummer Robert Gotobed's departure, who quit the band because the musical direction increasingly relied on drum machines and loops. Other than an Erasure remix, the band would not reform until 1999, and not release any new material until 2002's Read & Burn 01 and Read & Burn 02 EPs and 2003's subsequent Send. The album produced the single "So and Slow It Grows."

Track listing

All tracks written by Bruce Gilbert, Colin Newman and Graham Lewis, except as indicated.
  1. "Take It " – 3:13
  2. "So and Slow It Grows" – 5:13
  3. "A Bargain at 3 and 20 Yeah!" – 2:55
  4. "Footsi — Footsi" – 4:55
  5. "Ticking Mouth" – 6:31
  6. "It Continues" – 4:33
  7. "Looking at Me Stop!" – 4:12
  8. "Naked, Whooping and Such-Like " – 7:05
  9. "Tailor Made" – 3:48
  10. "No Cows on the Ice" – 4:16
  11. "A Big Glue Canal" – 4:09
  12. "So and Slow It Grows" – 4:00

    Personnel

;Wir
;Additional personnel