Colin Newman of Wire.

The members of Wire - well, most of them - have reunited again after one of their frequent breakups, and they are on the road supporting a new album, "Red Barked Tree." The British post-punk band's 12th full-length studio recording is drawing near-universal praise, with some critics even suggesting that its minimalist, acerbic songs could sit easily next to those on the three highly influential albums the group delivered during its imperial phase between 1977 and 1979: "Pink Flag," "Chairs Missing" and "154." Wire follows its appearance at this week's Coachella Festival in Indio (Riverside County) with a concert next Sunday at Slim's. We spoke with guitarist Colin Newman. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]