More balanced and better sequenced than the previous couple volumes in the series, The Wire Tapper, Vol. 8 offers a healthy dose of up-to-date music mostly in the fields of experimental techno and avant/post-rock. On the other hand, unlike most past installments, this one includes no exclusive or rare tracks -- sorry, no collector value. The CD begins with a 23 Skidoo tune dating back to 1982 but at the time recently reissued. Jah Wobble & Temple of Sound's "Shout at the Devil" provides the only worldbeat moment. The sole free improv track comes from the Goodheart Allen Powell Trio. Michael Jon Fink's contemporary piano piece, "Echo," leads into the warped ambient techno of Murcof. The best sequence consists of contributions by Electrelane, the No-Neck Blues Band, Set Fire to Flames, and Workshop, all artists tied to the post-rock scene. This CD was distributed to subscribers of the British magazine The Wire with issue 215 (January 2002). ~ François Couture, All Music Guide