"The Ideal Copy" is the fourth studio album by British rock band Wire. It was released in April 1987 through Mute Records. The album represents the band's first full-length record following a five-year hiatus after they temporarily disbanded in 1980. This hiatus gave band members the opportunity to work on solo projects and collaborations before regrouping.
The album is unique as it moves away from the style of Wire's earlier works, consisting of post-punk and punk rock, and shifts towards a more electronic and synthesized sound. "The Ideal Copy" can be described as a manifestation of the band's exploration into alternative and new wave genres.
The album's title tracks from the relationship between representation and reality, an ongoing thread that runs through much of Wire's post-1980s output. The most popular tracks from the album include 'Ahead' and 'Ambitious'. 'Ahead' became a charted single in the UK and was also featured in the horror film "The Blair Witch Project".
In terms of its reception, critics and fans responded positively to Wire's new direction, praising the band's evolution and ability to push the boundaries of their sound. In many ways, "The Ideal Copy" marked Wire's successful transition into a new era of music, showcasing their adaptability and continual growth as a band. While still maintaining elements of their classic post-punk sound, "The Ideal Copy" demonstrated the band's ability to embrace new music styles and trends.
