CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Skylarking

by: XTC

Release Date May 14, 2002
there is a recently done fantastic 2 hour interview with Andy Partridge on [..]. I never knew how brilliant, literate, and hysterically off the wall funny this man is! I was listening to the download on my ipod while at the gym, and constantly burst out laughing, I am sure causing the other gym goers to think I was insane. His English accent made his stories all the more captivating. Andy talks in the interview about the making of this album, among many other things. His articulate wit left me obsessed with listening to and getting more of his music.
Yes, delightful album, better with time and repeated listening. I do not need to rehash the details other reviewers have outlined.
Another Satellite is my favorite. This is a dreamy ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Black Sea

by: XTC

Release Date June 25, 2002
From 1980, a transition album, of sorts. The group still displays its angular melodies and new wave chops, but the songwriting begins to show a newfound eloquence and some great harmonies. "Respectable Street", "Generals And Majors", "Love At First Sight", "Towers of London", and "Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me)" were all great hit singles...in the U.K., at least.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Apple Venus Volume 1

by: XTC

Release Date February 23, 1999
The punk-turned-Britpop group XTC released this fine album in 1999 on the independent TVT label following a seven year "hiatus/strike" with their former label. Reduced to the studio-bound duo of Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, who seemingly write independent of each other, they interweave their inimitable pop chops with lush orchestral flourishes and warm, often quirky modernist arrangements. This also has some of the most tasteful and resplendent production imaginable -- an "adult" album and a personal favorite!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Oranges & Lemons

by: XTC

Release Date May 14, 2002
There's something about Oranges and Lemons that really grabs you. Maybe it's the occasional socially and politically conscious songs imbedded in the verdant matrix of lush chamber pop or the sheer literacy of that chamber pop itself that makes this record stand out among the rampant hubris and pretension of the late 1980's. There's as much going on musically here as you'd find on any other record of that, or any other decade. And while that approach gets tiresome fast in less capable hands, XTC manages to keep the steady current of jazz and pop at a bracing constant as it rolls and boils over fifteen tracks.

Other reviewers have complained that the record suffers from poor quality production. To me, Oranges and Lemons sounds like a record ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

English Settlement

by: XTC

Release Date June 25, 2002
"English Settlement" is definitive XTC at their best. Be aware, however, that this earlier CD does not contain the song "Leisure" or "Down In The Cockpit" (which appear only on the reissue). Nonetheless, it does include some of the best XTC ever recorded and could almost be a "best of" collection. "It's Nearly Africa" is the song that hooked me on the group, and "Melt The Guns" sealed the deal. Other great songs are "No Thugs in Our House" and, of course, "Senses Working Overtime." This album (or the reissue) is a no-brainer for even the least-committed XTC fans. Another classic not to be missed is "Mummer," which includes two of the best XTC songs ever, "Deliver Us from the Elements" and "Human Alchemy."

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

New Wave Christmas - Just Can't Get Enough

by: Wall of Voodoo, David Bowie, Throwing Muses, The Pretenders, The Pogues, Squeeze, Timbuk 3, XTC

Release Date October 15, 1996
I really do love this CD but I do agree with the other reviewers who said that some of the artists on this CD are NOT New Wave groups. Specifically They Might Be Giants, The Buzz Of Delight, Chris Stamey Group and Mono Puff.
If these artists were replaced with the following:

Pet Shop Boys - It Doesn't Snow Often On Christmas
Erasure - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Depeche Mode - Christmas Island
Max Headroom - Merry Christmas, Santa Claus (You're A Lovely Guy)

I, Pat, would be a great deal happier. Anyhoo, that's all I have to say for now. I might be back to edit this review later; but until then... Have a Happy Christmas and a... Merry New Year... is that right?

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Drums and Wires

by: XTC

Release Date August 06, 2002
Drums & Wires was my first introduction to XTC, "Helicopter" specifically. Who were these guys with their excessively energetic, snappy, and clever songs? Some of the songs on the album didn't sit well with me at first listen, but I could tell they bore repeated listening.

Today the album still smarts. "Life Begins at the Hop" is a great pop song, "Complicated Game" is still powerful, and most of the rest of the tracks still resonate well. XTC was my favorite band from Drums and Wires through the end of the 80s.

Drums and Wires was one of those albums that had a few different configurations, depending on whether you had the UK release, the US release, or something else like one of the later CD releases (Geffen, e.g.). I think the current version finally gets ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Fossil Fuel (Singles 1977-1992)

by: XTC

Release Date September 23, 1996
Well what did I expect! It's a greatest hits from a great pair of writers. I love every track. My only wish is that they would have included Dear Madam Barnum! Oh Well. Still one of my favorite discs from one of my favorite bands!!!!!

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Nonsuch

by: XTC

Release Date August 06, 2002
I've been a great fan of XTC in the 80's, when I was about 20 years younger than now (you do your own math). Short after entering the active life, I so much dedicated me to work and family life that I forgot to follow up on my student's life favorite bands.
I'm just rediscovering, by chance, what XTC has produced since "Skylarking". Amongst all their albums of the 90's and above, I must say that "Non Such" is a shock to me, as was "English Settlement" when released (in Vinyl that I still have !).
Not being a native English speaker person, I certainly miss most of the interest of the lyrics, but the music and melody are sufficient enough to love the band.
Non Such : definitely a great XTC album !

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The Big Express

by: XTC

Release Date August 06, 2002
This album took a little while to grow on me, but when I finally got it, it was absolutely life-changing. It is my favorite XTC album among many strong contenders and one of my favorite albums all-time. The mystery of this album is the fact that those of us who get it have little luck trying to convey its majesty to those who don't. To those folks I say keep trying, you will be amply rewarded. "Wake Up" and "Train Running Low on Soul Coal" are tracks beyond description. With encroaching age, I feel the pull and power of the latter track more every year. Consider this an album to grow up and old with - gracefully!