Missing Man Formation (album)

Missing Man Formation is the fourth studio album by the American alternative rock band Wire Train, released in 1989. It was the band's major-label debut, released on MCA Records. The album is notable for its more polished production compared to the band's earlier, more raw, sound. The title refers to the missing man formation, an aerial salute performed during flypasts at funerals or memorial events, in which one aircraft is missing from a formation. This imagery ties into themes of loss and absence explored within the album's lyrics. Key tracks include "She Comes Down" and "I'll Do You". The album was met with a mixed reception, with some critics appreciating the band's attempt at a more accessible sound while others felt it sacrificed some of their earlier edge.