Albums You May Not Know, But Should Part 4

[csberry]

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.

Comments

[auronsgirl.livejournal.com]

My favorites off that album are "All of a Sudden" and "Snowman".

[csberry.livejournal.com]

I love, love, love "Snowman!"

It is next to impossible for me to listen to that track and not bob from side to side during the first part of the verses...

It isn't even winter and I'm freezing, freezing,

Oh, and the crescendoed shout/bark between verses are fun to sing along with, too.

[auronsgirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is. Angry, angsty Andy got me through much of my own angry, angsty teenhood. No one can bark quite like that man can.

[csberry.livejournal.com]

*giggles*

I've vented to that song so many times that my stifled yawp of frustration is Andy's bark from "Snowman." JD can testify hearing me do that under my breath on the days the boys are particularly...their own individual.

[auronsgirl.livejournal.com]

Sing BNL's "Toy" right after it for a double-dose of growly fun.

[wc-helmets.livejournal.com]

let alone a double album, that is free from filler?


The last 1:30 of "Melt the Guns"????

My brother recently taunted me into compiling a top 100 list of albums. I've had a hard time determining whether Black Sea or English Settlement deserves the top XTC spot. Objectively, I'd go with ES, but my first gut, emotional reaction to XTC came from BS. It's a tough life figuring these things out, I tell you.

The hardest guitar part I've ever tried to learn is David Gregory's on "Yacht Dance". The rest of the chords are pretty easy, but that subtle melody he does on the verses is next to impossible. I've been trying for 7 years and I still have never got it right.

The XTC myspace page has been giving a plethora of "Andy discussing songwriting" interviews that have been rather entertaining. FYI, in case you didn't know already.

[csberry.livejournal.com]

Okay...you are absolutely right that "Melt the Guns" could handle a trim, but I was referring to filler songs.

I've really enjoyed reading Todd's interviews with Andy. I'm so jealous; life would skyrocket into pure bliss if my weekly itinerary included a chat with either Andy or Colin to discuss their music.