Albums You May Not Know, But Should Part 4

XTC's English Settlement

Since XTC is my favorite band, I’ve tried avoiding mentioning them too much and especially for this “series” in my journal. This double album is filled with music that deserved a spot in Top 40 radio. Isn’t it great to get an album, let alone a double album, that is free from filler?

While English Settlement is a transitional album (some critics have thought less of it because of that categorization) from the manic Barry Andrews-XTC to the more pastoral sound, that’s probably why I love it so much. You get the jittery pop-punk of "Fly on the Wall" along with the acoustic perk of "Yacht Dance." This album combines the best aspects of their previous music and maintains their youthful sound in the sweeter music Andy and Colin would soon write.

When you think about English Settlement, don't think about the British Isles...think about the British empire. The subjects on the album span the globe from that isle ("English Roundabout," "No Thugs in Our House") to "It's Nearly Africa" to ocean faring adventures (Jason & the Argonauts," "Yacht Dance") and the turbulence of love ("Down in the Cockpit," "Snowman").

If you've heard a track from this album, it was probably Senses Working Overtime, which finds life now in a growing number of 80's compilations.

But one of my favorite tracks is English Roundabout. How much more British can you get? Not much.

My old boss on CNN

Anyone that doesn't know Darrell Ankarlo and would like to see who I slaved for for 6+ years, tune into Paula Zahn tonight and/or tomorrow night. I don't know what he's going to be talking about but I'm betting immigration.

By the way, just because we worked very close and well together doesn't mean we agree on issues. I will tell you that I was the libertarian voice of reason, while he'll tell you he was the conservative/realistic counterpoint to my idealistic views. Ah, non-sexual man love is sweet.

Darrell Ankarlo on CNN - during show comment

I'm going to have the Tivo record the rest of Paula Zahn for me to watch later. I'm far from macho, but it's hard for me to watch Darrell on TV and see anything but the layer of makeup they put on him. He has very sharp edges to the structure of his face that can do horribly scary things in the wrong light. It's always been interesting to see the transformation into the softer look needed to keep him from looking like Skeletor on camera.

He does look good and is playing well with others. I am a bit surprised to hear him compliment Hillary as much as he did, though.