"Drums and Wires" is the third studio album by English rock band XTC, released on August 17, 1979, by Virgin Records. The album marks a shift towards a more pop-oriented sound compared to their previous release, Go 2. It was the first XTC album released in the United States and the first to feature guitarist Dave Gregory, who replaced keyboardist Barry Andrews earlier that year. The title reflects the album’s emphasis on guitars (wires) and expansive drums.
The album blends pop, art rock, new wave, and punk, highlighting the rhythmic interplay between XTC’s two guitarists. Influenced by bassist Colin Moulding's desire to move away from the band's quirky image, the group adopted a more accessible approach, exemplified by the non-album single Life Begins at the Hop.
Drums and Wires was recorded over four weeks at the newly built Town House studio in London, with producer Steve Lillywhite and engineer Hugh Padgham, who were developing their signature gated reverb technique. This production style is prominently featured on the album's lead single, Making Plans for Nigel. The album's lyrics explore themes related to modern life and external influences. The cover artwork, designed by Jill Mumford, depicts the band logo as an outline of a face, conceptualized by frontman Andy Partridge.
The album achieved commercial success, reaching number 34 on the UK Albums Chart and number 176 on the US Billboard 200. Making Plans for Nigel became a hit, peaking at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart. Drums and Wires is considered one of XTC's most notable works, earning critical acclaim over the years, including rankings on Pitchfork's and Paste's lists of the top albums of the 1970s. In 1980, Partridge also released Take Away / The Lure of Salvage, an LP featuring dub remixes of tracks from Drums and Wires.
