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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.