In the Philadelphia Inquirer review of the "genre-spanning" soundtrack from The Wire, ... and all the pieces matter, music critic Dan DeLuca praises the series for so successfully integrating music into the context of the show:

Do any shows on TV use music as subtly, or as well, as The Wire ... The answer is no ... [W]hen you hear music on The Wire, it's almost never part of an orchestral score or a pop song thrust upon a scene in hopes of creating soundtrack marketing synergy. The source of the sound is apparent on the screen, and the music's there because it enriches the story.

The show's creators have been, as with all aspects of the show, meticulous and intentionally specific in their song selection, to great effect. Writes DeLuca:

The truly great thing is that music isn't overused. In every aspect, the sublime cop show is disciplined and patient. And so, unlike almost any other TV show or movie, The Wire doesn't insult your intelligence by piping in music at every turn, telling you what to think. It lets you think for yourself.

For the complete album review, visit philly.com.