XTC / Drums and Wires CD+blu-ray with Dolby Atmos Mix

XTC’s 1979 album Drums and Wires is being reissued in September as a new CD+blu-ray edition with a new Dolby Atmos Mix from Steven Wilson, an updated 5.1 Mix (originally created in 2014) and a host of other extras.

The CD features the original 2014 Steven Wilson stereo mix of the album, with minor revisions for 2025, along with singles and additional tracks. The Blu-ray features:

• 2025 Dolby Atmos versions of the album and additional tracks
• 2014 5.1 Mix of the album (with minor revisions for 2025) and additional tracks 
• 96/24 LPCM Stereo of album and additional tracks
• 1979 original mix/master of full album in 96/24 plus additional tracks
• A vast amount of additional material including all available demo, rehearsal & pre-album sessions recordings

Steven has again worked his magic and offered a new perspective of our ground-breaking 1979 album, expanding the audio picture through 360° and revealing details previously overlooked. The whole album shimmers with a sonic gloss that’s brought it to the 21st century with no loss of historic integrity; the songs are as strong today as they were 46 years ago. Immerse yourself, but be prepared for the closing maelstrom that is ‘Complicated Game’…you may never recover.

Dave Gregory

Interestingly, Steven Wilson has stated that “during the remix process it became apparent that the masters of ‘Officer Blue‘ [a B-side] and ‘That is the Way‘ were both slowed down significantly for the original release. It’s not uncommon for tracks to be slightly speeded up during mastering to make them sound sprightlier, but no one could remember why, in this case, the tracks were slowed down. For the 2025 mixes, in consultation with Colin Moulding – songwriter of both titles – the decision was made to include B-side ‘Officer Blue’ as the band recorded it, at the correct speed for the first time”.

Steven added that “In the case of ‘That is the Way’ – it being a key album track – the new mix has been slowed down to match the familiar album version but additionally, a bonus version is included which has no adjustment to the pitch and is exactly as the band recorded it”.

The album was originally produced by Steve Lillywhite but 2025 & 2014 material is mixed & produced by Steven Wilson. This CD+blu-ray set is presented in ‘paper sleeve’ / mini-LP CD / vinyl replica packaging with booklet including photos & album lyrics.

In addition to this format, Steven’s 2014 mix (with the minor revisions) is available for the first time on vinyl – a 200g LP pressing at that.

Drums and Wires will be released by APE records on 26 September 2025. You can pre-order both the CD+blu-ray and the vinyl LP from the SDE shop, via this link or the buttons below. A specially-priced bundle is also available.

Tracklisting

Drums and Wires XTC /

• • CD: 2014 Steven Wilson Mix
    1. Making Plans For Nigel
    2. Helicopter
    3. Day In Day Out
    4. When You’re Near Me I Have Difficulty
    5. Ten Feet Tall Orig album
    6. Roads Girdle the Globe
    7. Real By Reel
    8. Millions
    9. That Is The Way
    10. Outside World
    11. Scissor Man
    12. Complicated Game
    13. Chain Of Command
    14. Limelight
    15. Life Begins at the Hop
    16. Ten Feet Tall (Electric)
    17. Wait ’til your Boat Goes Down
    18. Complicated Game (Out-take)
    19. That Is The Way (Original Pitch)
    20. Chain Of Command (Alt Take)
  • Blu-ray

    2025 Dolby Atmos Mix / 5.1 Mix / Stereo Mix.

    The original mix of the album is also included plus instrumentals, demos etc.

    1. Making Plans For Nigel
    2. Helicopter
    3. Day In Day Out
    4. When You’re Near Me I Have Difficulty
    5. Ten Feet Tall
    6. Roads Girdle the Globe
    7. Real By Reel
    8. Millions
    9. That Is The Way
    10. Outside World
    11. Scissor Man
    12. Complicated Game
    13. Homo Safari
    14. Chain Of Command
    15. Limelight
    16. Bushman President
    17. Pulsing Pulsing
    18. Wait Til Your Boat Goes Down
    19. Ten Feet Tall (Electricm Version)
    20. Officer Blue
    21. Over Rusty Water
    22. Sleepyheads
    23. That Is The Way (Original Pitch)
• Vinyl LP 200g pressing

  • Side One

    1. Making Plans For Nigel
    2. Helicopter
    3. Day In Day Out
    4. When You’re Near Me I Have Difficulty
    5. Ten Feet Tall
    6. Roads Girdle the Globe

    Side Two

    1. Real By Reel
    2. Millions
    3. That Is The Way
    4. Outside World
    5. Scissor Man
    6. Complicated Game