Wire's gradual move toward dance music and techno becomes complete on Manscape.

Syncopated beats, synths, and sequencer riffs are the dominant musical motifs, with Graham Lewis taking a larger share of the vocal turns.

Still, what the group has gained in technical acumen over time has been lost in tension and interpersonal dynamics; taken for what it is, Manscape is edgy, brainy dance music, but taken as part of the largely brilliant Wire oeuvre, it's a disappointment.