Wire Train (album)

The album, which was delayed due to issues with Wire Train's former label, 415 Records, was produced by Don Smith and David Trickle.[6][7] It was recorded live in the studio, in Los Angeles.[8][7] The lyrics were written by Kevin Hunter.[9][10] Benmont Tench, Susannah Melvoin, and Mike Campbell contributed to Wire Train.[11][12]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
Calgary Herald	C[14]
Chicago Tribune	[8]
Entertainment Weekly	C[15]
Rolling Stone	[16]
Wisconsin State Journal	[12]

Trouser Press noted that "the record's most striking song ('Should She Cry?', a catchy breath of pop air) owes no stylistic debt outside the band's own past."[11] Entertainment Weekly determined that "a self-conscious dose of Dylanesque revelry is amusing in its way, but Wire Train‘s adventures into gospelly rock (in a Van Morrison-Stones vein) are less compelling."[15] The San Diego Union-Tribune concluded that "the band members sound less like dedicated rockers and more like adroit studio musicians moving easily from one genre to another with a minimum of fuss or inspiration."[17]

The New York Times stated that the songs "are immaculately crafted with ringing guitars, subtle drumming and airy, open spaces that lend a feeling of freedom and timelessness."[18] The Calgary Herald deemed the band "mimics," writing that "when you're short of ideas, might just as well borrow from the best."[14] Rolling Stone praised Wire Train's "knack for passionate, intelligent rock 'n' roll."[16]

AllMusic wrote that "there are still a couple missteps, foremost among them being the absolutely atrocious 'Oh Me Oh My', the worst Bob Dylan parody since Simon & Garfunkel's 'A Simple Desultory Philippic' (or Knocked Out Loaded)."[13]