Wire – Red Barked Tree

I was hesitant the first time I played my copy after reading the reviews of the pressing both here and elsewhere - especially as mine had visible surface scuffs and pressing dimples. However I was pleasantly surprised to find that, while not fantastic, there's little wrong with my copy in a technical sense. The entirety of both sides have little to no audible background noise, decent (if not spectacular) dynamics, and good general audio quality. The only fault with mine is that side B is pressed slightly off-centre, though it took until the final track for me to notice it.

In short, if you can find this for a fair price, it's probably at least worth the gamble on whether you get one that's pressed properly or not. It's by no means perfect, but the pressing quality is about on-par with most records from around the time this was released, i.e. fine but not audiophile quality.

Sounds gorgeous and rich in 2022, no problems to be found.

I am reading your comments very carefully. I am very amazed because my copy turns out to be perfect! there is nothing anomalous in it: no distortions, no jumps, no background noises or problems relating to a bad transfer from the original tapes. in short, my copy is devoid of impereions so much so that it sounds better than the CD. have any of you encountered the same? Is it possible that he is the only one who has such a perfect copy?

I’m happy to read it’s not just me who had a copy that sounds like a bag of crisps

It makes me feel better to know my copy of Red Barked Trees is shitty like all the rest. Mine isn't so bad, but the last song on the first side is really irritating.

Bought a copy of the vinyl on release date that has the mentioned problems, bought another copy today, sounds fine.

Just spoke to someone at Wire's merchant store who clarified that the Res Barked Tree vinyl has been re manufactured. I'm not willing to test the waters though.

Another superb album from one of my favourite bands of all time. However, I strongly urge all NOT TO BUY THIS RELEASE ON VINYL. It is covered in small dents, it crackles, and, most disappointingly of all, just sounds plain awful. Suggestive of a cheaply-done pressing. A friend bought it on CD, however, and it sounds great, so I advise going with that.