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Post by michaellevenson on Feb 22, 2020 16:47:38 GMT
One of my favourite bands, so many great songs, fair few hits, so were successful, but sort of shunned stardom. I also think they never toured at all. I may be wrong but I'm sure I heard that. Good guitar based rock.
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Post by michaellevenson on Feb 22, 2020 16:50:13 GMT
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Post by michaellevenson on Feb 22, 2020 16:52:28 GMT
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XTC
Feb 22, 2020 16:56:28 GMT
Post by michaellevenson on Feb 22, 2020 16:56:28 GMT
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Post by michaellevenson on Feb 22, 2020 16:58:41 GMT
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XTC
Feb 22, 2020 17:02:29 GMT
Post by michaellevenson on Feb 22, 2020 17:02:29 GMT
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Post by sostie on Feb 23, 2020 1:27:55 GMT
My personal favourite
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Post by Eva Yojimbo on Feb 25, 2020 4:17:05 GMT
They're a top 10 band for me (I currently have them #7, behind Opeth and ahead of King Crimson). To me, they were the epitome of a band who learned from The Beatles how to do baroque, creative, artful pop music. Later in the career, they got to a point where every song was like a carefully sculpted, miniature gem. I'd argue that their run of albums from Drums & Wires in '79 to Wasp Star in '00 is essentially perfect, and even the "less good" albums like Mummer, The Big Express, and Wasp Star are still very good to excellent.
They also have too many great songs for me to easily pick favorites, but:
Then they had a whole "second (brief) career" as Dukes of Stratosphear where they played a fictional psychedelic 60s band. I don't think any band has ever made music more convincingly in an older style as XTC did on that project:
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XTC
Feb 25, 2020 19:27:23 GMT
Post by sostie on Feb 25, 2020 19:27:23 GMT
How many great bands have taken a pseudonym and recorded a song about a guy with massive testicles?
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Post by kevin on Feb 25, 2020 19:36:54 GMT
Great band, I also like some of their more McCartney/Beach Boys-esque chamber/baroque pop songs later in their career, like these 2 from Apple Venus Volume 1:
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XTC
Feb 26, 2020 3:05:04 GMT
Post by Eva Yojimbo on Feb 26, 2020 3:05:04 GMT
How many great bands have taken a pseudonym and recorded a song about a guy with massive testicles? LOL, I haven't heard that one. They had another song that was either about a penis or a son, depending on how you interpreted it: Even as silly as this song is, it's subtly ingenious musically; there's like a dozen different ideas and tones, and somehow they hold together almost seamlessly.
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Post by Eva Yojimbo on Feb 26, 2020 3:09:43 GMT
Great band, I also like some of their more McCartney/Beach Boys-esque chamber/baroque pop songs later in their career, like these 2 from Apple Venus Volume 1: Apple Venus 1 is such a beautiful album. Shame they never made another one like it. I'm not sure why Wasp Star was called Apple Venus 2 given how different it was. Still some great tracks on it, though:
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Post by stefancrosscoe on May 10, 2020 11:21:01 GMT
As with Talk Talk, one of the main reasons to why I completely fell so "hard" for this unique british group, was that they just sounded like nothing else I had ever heard at the time, and they never seemed stop amaze or surprise me, and when I think I have heard it all, it just starts right up again, and for me, those kind of musical acts or artist, are very rare and few, but once they get to you, it is no turning back.
My first album of theirs, was I think Drums and Wires (1979), which really was a fantastic and very energy driven guitar dominated combination of post-punk and new wave, kind of the best of both worlds. I guess, at the time, they were heavily influenced by popular bands such as Talking Heads, The Police, Blondie and so on, and that is of course nothing negative at all, but for me, I really enjoyed Drums and Wires, actually much more than any of the stuff the artists named above put out at that time, and I am not really sure why, but the music, it is such fun and uplifting, along with those huge beats, great catchy and memorable lyrics and melodies.
Of course, you also had the incredible rare, two great songwriters/vocalist "for the price of one" with Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, who truly delivers the goods, and so much more on that record. While Andy might be the surely more dominant one, I think Colin has done so many great songs, maybe not the most well known or critical acclaimed and so on, but he always had a talent of coming up with those sweet and very "quirky" tunes, that just immediately sat right with my, and became a favorite.
What I do think is really interesting, is how as I mentioned earlier, that they started up as very promising and talented live act, that (from what I have heard or read from fans and critics) would completely outdo bands such as The Police, when they were touring together, and XTC was brought along as a guest or opening act before the bigger names would arrive the stage.
Sadly, I guess Andy's stage fright became such a horrible monster to fight off, and they took kind of the same route as other british acts of that period, (Talk Talk and Kate Bush) by becoming more of a very special studio band. But from their early days, the 1979-1982 period, they delivered three huge and great records in a row, full of energy, drive and great memorable songs, and I guess what came up next, with Mummer (1983) and The Big Express (1984), was not "bad", just not on the same level of quality and tightness they had delivered before.
Of course, they were probably trying very hard to adjust to a life without being on the road and playing concerts and so on, and somehow many artist kind of "looses" a bit of their edge or drive when they are no longer playing live anymore, but thankfully XTC did pick up, and even thought Mummer and The Big Express never really did much for me, you can hear they were in the making of something far bigger and much more special, and all that would arrive in 1986 with their (for me) complete and absolute stunning masterpiece, Skylarking.
That was the album which really did it for me, I knew they were special already, but now, "Wow, where did this record come from?".
It surely was not a disappointment either, when I also learned that the great Todd Rundgren was behind as a producer, even though I guess the huge egos of him and Andy would resolve almost into a physical battle inside the studio at times, and to think that all those nasty fights and chaotic times would result in something so beautiful.
Well, I am gonna stop now, but over the years, as I mentioned, they never stop to surprise me in a positive way. When I thought it could not be anything better than Skylarking, many years later on I picked up a cheap (incredible cheap) CD copy (this used be to completely out of production and very priceable, so much there was a reason to why I did not hear it, for so many years) of Apple Venus Vol.1 (1999), and again, "Wow, where did this record come from?"
I love how they just could not care about what went on as "popular" or "trendy" within the music fashion or industry, they just wanted to make music, their way and it sure was the right way as well.
As of now, I have just sat down and re-listen to one of my favorites of that Apple Venus Vol. 1 record, and there is something truly special and sweet of the lyrics, Andy's voice and of course the incredible rich production of the song I Can't Own Her, which is a rather sad or longing tale of this man who can have or buy everything he wants, except for the love of the one "thing" he truly desires the most.
To believe such a thing of beauty came out in 1999, and then mostly went completely under the "radar" at the time. Thankfully the album has surely and rightly so, blossomed over the years, as a true 90s masterpiece and maybe one of the best albums XTC ever put out.
I Can't Own Her (1999)
Wrapped in Grey (1992)
Another huge favorite, is from the Nonsuch (1992) album, which do also come with some stunning production and songs, and where I think they hit their "peak" with the majestic Wrapped in Grey.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on May 10, 2020 12:01:08 GMT
Well, I am so "deeply" within the whole musical world of XTC right now, so I might have hard time getting out, and I will continue staying here for a bit further on. Whenever I pick up one of their albums, it is just incredible to think that these guys, who made so many catchy, sweet and beautiful songs, so full of drive and melody, never gets their music played on tv or radio. They should have become a big selling act, but of course, no touring and probably a bit of a "eccentric" reputation along the way within the record business, may also have to do with how it all turned out. But at the end of the day, for all those who never will know of their music and great legacy, I guess it's their loss and our gain. Anyway, here are a few other of my favorite XTC songs: Roads Girdle The Globe (1979)Paper and Iron (1980)Roundabout (1982)This World Over (1984)Dying (1986)Mayor of Simpleton (1989)Then She Appeared (1992)Also as a little bonus, a great Dukes of the Stratosphear classic from the mid 60s with What in the World? that did not arrive until 1985 along with their forgotten masterpiece LP, 25 O' Clock. What in the World? (1985)
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Post by Eva Yojimbo on May 10, 2020 21:19:12 GMT
Well, I am so "deeply" within the whole musical world of XTC right now, so I might have hard time getting out, and I will continue staying here for a bit further on. It's an awesome world to be in! I was pretty obsessed with them for several months a few years back. I agree with everything you say about them; arguably the most underrated band ever and should've been much more popular than they were. I kinda associate them with King's X as both being bands that had all the ingredients to be huge stars--a phenomenal melodic sensibility, an ear or hooks and harmony, an attention to craft and detail--but instead remained fairly niche with extremely passionate fanbases. But, yeah, you could put in almost XTC's entire discography into a playlist, hit "shuffle," and land on a great song. If you haven't, I'd highly recommend checking out Steven Wilson's remix/remasters of Drums & Wires, Black Sea, Skylarking, Oranges & Lemons, Nonsuch, and The Dukes of Stratosphear catalog (called "Psurroundabout Ride"). They're excellent, especially the surround mixes.
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Jokers_Wilde
Junior Member
@jokerswilde
Posts: 1,295
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Post by Jokers_Wilde on May 10, 2020 23:32:43 GMT
Agreed. I remember hearing the song "Dear God" for the first time back just before I started grade 10, which was in 1990.
First song I remember ever hearing from them was "All You Pretty Girls".
I had the song "Making Plans For Nigel" on a compilation album. At the time, fans of our local hockey club were discussing who the brass should try to acquire at the trade deadline. Someone had mentioned Nigel Williams. So, we would be "Making Plans For Nigel". The next time I saw the gang, I gave them an amusing rendition of the song.
Finally, Andy Partridge, the lead singer, performed the theme song to the short-lived show "Wonderfalls". A full 13 episode season was produced, but on TV, the show was pulled after only 4 episodes!
Joker's Wilde
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XTC
May 11, 2020 12:05:21 GMT
Post by stefancrosscoe on May 11, 2020 12:05:21 GMT
It's an awesome world to be in! I was pretty obsessed with them for several months a few years back. I agree with everything you say about them; arguably the most underrated band ever and should've been much more popular than they were. I kinda associate them with King's X as both being bands that had all the ingredients to be huge stars--a phenomenal melodic sensibility, an ear or hooks and harmony, an attention to craft and detail--but instead remained fairly niche with extremely passionate fanbases. But, yeah, you could put in almost XTC's entire discography into a playlist, hit "shuffle," and land on a great song. If you haven't, I'd highly recommend checking out Steven Wilson's remix/remasters of Drums & Wires, Black Sea, Skylarking, Oranges & Lemons, Nonsuch, and The Dukes of Stratosphear catalog (called "Psurroundabout Ride"). They're excellent, especially the surround mixes. It sure is. Never heard of Kings X before, maybe I should have? But, so little time, and well, since you brought them into a XTC discussion, I kind of get a little interested, so maybe I should give them a go later on. I actually do own a copy of Drums & Wires by the Steven Wilson remix, I think it is from 2013 or 2014, but it was just one of those "impulsive" deals, that I was so overenthusiastic over seeing a new CD copy of that album, and I only had old 2001 remaster in my collection, so I picked it up, but still have not heard any of it. That name, Steven Wilson, did he not do some of the King Crimson remasters a while back as well? Sound at least familiar with that name. However, I did pick up the 2013 version of Skylarking, I think it was named Correct Polar... something, on CD and I am so glad they finally included Dear God in the track list, as for me that just made a fantastic album, even better. I think some of the songs also has a maybe warmer or "fatter" sound to it, specially the bass which is just another great way of upgrading an already incredible set of songs and music.
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XTC
May 11, 2020 12:09:18 GMT
Post by stefancrosscoe on May 11, 2020 12:09:18 GMT
They're a top 10 band for me (I currently have them #7, behind Opeth and ahead of King Crimson). Just out of "curiosity", how does your top 10 list look like? or maybe I have missed it in the 25 or so favorite artist thread earlier on, not sure but it would be interesting to see other of your favorite bands and artist, as I am also a huge fan of King Crimson too.
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XTC
May 11, 2020 12:14:56 GMT
Post by stefancrosscoe on May 11, 2020 12:14:56 GMT
Agreed. I remember hearing the song "Dear God" for the first time back just before I started grade 10, which was in 1990.
First song I remember ever hearing from them was "All You Pretty Girls".
I had the song "Making Plans For Nigel" on a compilation album. At the time, fans of our local hockey club were discussing who the brass should try to acquire at the trade deadline. Someone had mentioned Nigel Williams. So, we would be "Making Plans For Nigel". The next time I saw the gang, I gave them an amusing rendition of the song.
Finally, Andy Partridge, the lead singer, performed the theme song to the short-lived show "Wonderfalls". A full 13 episode season was produced, but on TV, the show was pulled after only 4 episodes!
Joker's Wilde Would have been very interesting to hear how that turned out.
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Post by Eva Yojimbo on May 11, 2020 21:34:15 GMT
They're a top 10 band for me (I currently have them #7, behind Opeth and ahead of King Crimson). Just out of "curiosity", how does your top 10 list look like? or maybe I have missed it in the 25 or so favorite artist thread earlier on, not sure but it would be interesting to see other of your favorite bands and artist, as I am also a huge fan of King Crimson too. My list has changed somewhat since I posted that in this thread. I did post my most recent list in the 25 favorite artists thread. Here's my current list: XTC is still in my top 10, but I now have them 9.
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