So, what do you think of "The Wire" ?

[runningonair]

I'm a subscriber, on my second year and to honest I find it really useful. 

I've discovered loads of new music past and present, which I doubt I would have found if it hadn't been for the Mag.  I know they have been accused of overhypeing certain types of music, hypnogogic pop comes to mind but they generally seam to cover almost all interesting music to some extent in a reasonably even handed way.

Like others, I do wonder what you have to do to get anything reviewed.  Unsolicited contributions not accepted?

[steinbruchel]

best bet is to book an add, and then it'll for sure be reviewed...

[haesslich]

ambivalent.
i'm a subscriber since this year, never read an issue before, i just had a look at their website. basically i wanted to try something new. my resumee after three issues:
on the not-so-good side is the fact that i'm not interested in so many of the articles.
on the very good side is, that many other articles are really great.
conclusion: not unlike  other magazines. but it's a good thing to have a magazine which covers many artists that are not covered by other mags.
i did not have the opportunity to listen into their compilations, though. 

[Koda]

love Wire! And agree with everything said.

[runningonair]

I think it really stretches you as a listener.  The sheer Varity of genres and styles is somewhat mind blowing.  I tend to find most of it interesting even when I'm not into the particular music under discussion.

[Orphax]

I think it is "so so", but I am lucky living in The Netherlands where we have Gonzo Circus (Belgian/Dutch magazine) which covers the same area's, but imho is much better.
Some articles are really good, but others I find too much of a hype creation (if it isn't a hype yet, we will try to make it one).
So yeah, one side I really like, one side I like less. Though, still good to see an international zine with a focus on these things.

And on the reviews...well, I am still waiting for them to review some releases on my label. But as with most magazines (offline and online) they rather seem to review things that are already known (and most certainly will sell even without their review*) than things that are unknown. There should be a better balance between those two.



*I don't see the use of a review of something that has already sold-out at its source a month or two ago (which happens at a lot of places...)

[machinefabriek]

Really like the Wire. Most interviews are very insightful, and I discovered alot of great music 'cause of the magazine. It might not be perfect, but it's the best music magazine i know. I'm very happy with my subscription.

[rupske]

I think it is "so so", but I am lucky living in The Netherlands where we have Gonzo Circus (Belgian/Dutch magazine) which covers the same area's, but imho is much better.

Right on! Gonzo, the Wire & Ruis are the 3 magazines about music I enjoy reading

[haesslich]

the german magazine "auf abwegen" might be similar, but i never had the opportunity to read an issue, so i don't know about it's quality.

[Orphax]

i think auf abweghen is online only at the moment   
not that my German is good enough to read it, but seemed like a great zine (got a couple of issues in the past from the owner)

[Bytor Peltor]

I'm not a subscriber, but The Wire has always been good to this reader.  A weekly must read for me is Brainwashed.com......and it's FREE!

[Le Berger]

I follow them on twitter, read the occasional blurb. Hasn't yet struck me as particularly essential or illuminating, definitely not trash or insignificant either.

[darren mcclure]

i bought it for the 1st time in 1996 because andy weatherall was on the front cover, then couldn't believe how much of its content reflected my tastes at the time (dub, techno, ambient, noise, electronica etc etc).  was surprised these things got covered by a magazine bought from a mainstreet shop.

been buying it ever since, and subscribing for about 10 years.  some issues have more stuff of interest to me than others, but i've made so many discoveries from it and find the journalism to be top class.

[oootini]

the invisible jukebox is a must read most months and usually offers real insight into the inner workings of a given artist.

i'm also a big  big fan of the assorted sizes 7"/tapes/bric a brac column - haiku reviews!

[runningonair]

the invisible jukebox is a must read most months and usually offers real insight into the inner workings of a given artist.

Yeah, this is always good.  The interviewer must have to do quite a bit of research to get a list of recordings the subject will actually recognise.  You couldn't just pick a random selection of experimental records and expect even a well educated listener to recognise them.