Document and Eyewitness cover

Document and Eyewitness

Wire · 1981

76 min · 22 tracks · art punk

A disorienting blend of art punk chaos and experimental soundscapes that captures the essence of early '80s avant-garde music.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with climaxes
  • disorienting soundscapes for exploration
  • fragmented tracks for focused listening
  • engaging in unpredictable transitions
  • captivating late-night introspection

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1981, 'Document and Eyewitness' marks Wire's first live album, following their influential '154' (1979). This period for Wire is characterized by their transition from strict punk roots to more experimental and avant-garde sound explorations, showcasing their willingness to defy genre conventions.
Stylistic neighbors
Gang of Four· The Fall· Television

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Go Ahead 4:01
  • 2 Ally in Exile 4:20
  • 3 Relationship 1:22
  • 4 Underwater Experiences 2:47
  • 5 Witness to the Fact 2:46
  • 6 2 People in a Room 1:58
  • 7 Our Swimmer 3:01
  • 8 Heartbeat 3:12
  • 9 5/10 6:00
  • 10 12XU (Fragment) 1:47
  • 11 Underwater Experiences 2:38
  • 12 Everythings Going to Be Nice 1:04
  • 13 Piano Tuner (Keep Strumming Those Guitars) 5:19
  • 14 We Meet Under Tables 3:05
  • 15 Zegk Hoqp 5:28
  • 16 Eastern Standard 3:03
  • 17 Instrumental (Thrown Bottle) 2:12
  • 18 Eels Sang Lino 3:04
  • 19 Revealing Trade Secrets 2:33
  • 20 And Then..... / Coda 9:00
  • 21 Our Swimmer 3:34
  • 22 Midnight Bahnhof Cafe 4:33

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata