A timely listen, JP! Andy leans toward the pagan, as you picked up. Be sure to see Green Man on this album to continue that theme with another "different" sound from them. This album was the first release after a long hiatus due to contractual disputes and was literally music to my ears. Please continue exploring Vol 1 - can't wait for you to hit River Of Orchids, too. I love this group.
@JustJP: I only now found your reaction to this, one of my favorite songs. It's fantastic that you got it so perfectly, not only the music but the lyrics too, all those mythical references Andy implants there. When Apple Venus vol. 1 came out in 1999, we were expecting our first child and the line "now the Son has died, the Father can be born" just broke me in tears; it made me realize I was no longer just someone's son who, in a sense, has to die in order to let the father be born, that I'm now facing this new me and everything that comes with it. So it's a very, very personal song for me - and I'm happy to say that my our now 24-year old firstborn loves XTC and this song as much as I do 😊 And maybe, in time, he will pass on the torch... So thanks JP, loved your commentary and love your channel ❤ Cheers from 🇫🇮
Not only one of Andy Partridge's best songs...but for me one of the most beautiful songs ever written. You can hear the Brian Wilson and Beatles influences here so perfectly. You nailed it
This is one of my favorites by XTC, which is an incredibly high bar. The middle 8 gives me chills even after innumerable listens. Others have excellent suggestions; I'm just really happy you reacted to this one. Other XTC joints with very interesting vibes: Sacrificial Bonfire, Rook, Then She Appeared. Please follow up with more XTC!
Thanks for reacting to XTC, love it. There should be hundreds of videos on them on RUclips but they still seem to be flying under the radar. Thank you!
Andy Partridge believes "Easter Theatre" is the best song he's ever written. Not only do I agree, but I think it's the best song anyone has ever written. "Easter Theatre" is the best song I have ever heard in my entire life. I could listen to it 1,000 times a day and never grow tired of it.
Hi JP, This has been a special XTC tune for me. More rich than a Cadbury egg. This is part of the amazing other album Apple Venus volume(crazy good) which is in my top 5. Good ear JP. THX
The beginning to me is a seed growing from the earth. that's why it's dark. Then it blooms to a sunflower, hence the glorious uplifting music. It's finally reaching the sun...
Like Easter, it's about how like and death are intertwined. So even with the joy of new life, the undertone of death is always there, this is why the lyrics can be so cheery and a little sinister at the same time. "Now the son is dead, the father can be born" it's all a cycle.
So glad you hit more XTC... River of Orchids, Greenman, Easter Theatre are all amazing from this album... but my favorite remains Harvest Festival. Apple Venus was a miraculous album that only appeared after the band went on strike against Virgin Records for SEVEN YEARS. They finally got out of their horrible contract and produced this masterpiece. Fantastic reaction and thoughtful commentary, as usual, Justin. You pretty much nailed the song meaning... as Andy Partridge loves his wordplay... and, unlike most, can play with more than one idea in a song... and do so in a totally unique and wonderful way. Cheers!
Agreed that it's unique. Dischords on the strings, against happy-pop. As far as Easter goes, it's essentially a pagan celebration of the Spring. The church figured out early on that going against what people know to be the Truth (i.e. that Odin and Shrek physically inseminate flowers as the Sun begins to turn - or whatever they know is True at any particular time) is impossibly difficult, so they just reinterpreted paganism as a kind of prophecy of the churches eventual appearance on the scene (with the Real Truth). So they took over things like fertility festivals, instead of banning them. Snorri Snurlesson, when he wrote down the old Sagas, explained many things in terms of how the old people were essentially right, but misheard the message of God. So he did things like equate the story of Balder with that of Christ. (As far as my rather vague memory recalls, anyway). Those strings could be in a Hitchcock movie at times, while the rest of the song goes skipping through the poppy fields of pop. There's also something odd in the "Stage Left" and "Stage Right". Those are aspects of theatre you'd only see from up on the stage or behind the scenes. I get something of a "puppet show" there. A manipulation of appearances to create The Truth out of all the fiction.
Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping down the bunny trail. Hippity, hoppity, trip.* Musically I really liked this song. I haven't paid much attention to the lyrics but it sounds great. The rebirth of the world in the Spring predates Christianity hence the connection of eggs to Easter. Did ancient man think the world was shaped like an egg? Great song and review. More XTC please. * I have a song for Xmas as well but I will save it until then. One of my older cousins on my Dad's side taught me these when I was a kid.
Thank you for the XTC, I know I have been on you for years now about it, but I had a feeling you would love them. The more XTC the better. Again thank you I love all the XTC and you are the only person reacting to them. Keep it up!
I hoped you'd do this one, and I wasn't disappointed with your reaction. Apple Venus is the first of a two-album set, and is predominately acoustic. Wasp Star, released the following year, has a more 'traditional' rock feel. The final track 'The Wheel And The Maypole' celebrates another ancient festival of spring, and sees the band sign off in terrific style.
Oh boy - what an ingenious album. This isn't even the best off it imo. I can only urge you to listen to the whole thing (privately at least)... If at all, the entire album is a standout, because most on it is in this orchestral art-pop vein! Glad you're discovering this, Justin.
My wife and I listened to the whole cd yesterday! We were driving down to the Javitz Center in NYC for her second shot. I make a point of listening to this every year at Easter time, the whole thing reminds me of Spring and the cycle of the year. One of our musical traditions. Dark? Yeah, early Spring is not all warm sunshine, the beginning is cold and dreary. Check at the first track "River of Orchards", it's unique too!
So many ideas packed within four and a half minutes. They make odd sound pop. Does this song represent their discography? Somehow yes, because it's unique as their output has been throughout two decades. More Beatles circa 1967 than Beach Boys, anyway. Talking about Odd Pop, have you ever listened to Andrew Bird? I'm pretty convinced that XTC fans would enjoy his 2005 album "Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production Of Eggs".
The rest of the album Apple Venus Volume 1 has more of that "unique" sound that are you feeling from this song. It's one of the most masterfully arranged pop albums I've heard with all the strings and horn parts, and I think it shows some maturation of their songwriting as it comes very late in their career (1999). It was definitely a bit of a departure in sound for them and almost eschews rock altogether. Every track on the album is great but "Greenman" would be another highlight to check out. All 14 XTC albums are very good but Apple Venus Volume 1 is probably in my top 3.
On the single CD version of Easter Theatre, Andy Partridge explains how Easter Theatre came about. It makes very interesting listening. It’s probably the atonal off centre sound at the start that makes you think it sounds ‘dark’, when I heard it on its release, I found it exhilarating because they had had a long sabbatical from Nonsuch to Apple Venus. Harvest Festival, River of Orchids and Greenman are also stand out tracks on AV1. BTW, Norse, ancient Briton culture and symbolism mixed with early Christianity in the U.K. Many churches still stand in the U.K. that have this symbolism etched into the walls.
It's a very good song and when Apple Venus Volume 1 was released in 1999 I found the album to be really great with all these orchestral arrangements, however for a few years now I've not been so excited about this album whose songs I find finally a little too uniform to my taste despite the richness and luxuriance of the arrangements. My two favorite tracks on this album (and also in the entire XTC discography) are "I Can't Own Her" and "The Last Balloon".
XTC is musically an interresting band, a Frankenstein monster of The Beatles and Yes maybe. The lyrics are often either very intellectual or playfull, two sides of the same picture. The American version of XTC is with no doubt Mike Keneally, or at least some of his albums. He has even collaborated with Andy Partridge in Wing Beat Fantastic -album (2012). I think you would like Keneally. A good starting point would be Tranqillado from his 1997 album Sluggo!. Keneally played with Zappa and toured with Steve Vai so it makes him a musician worth checking out.
I’m really digging your reactions dude! It’s so cool to see someone slowly get into this band and all their amazing songs. I’ll be here to see more :-)
I’ve put off really listening to these last couple XTC albums... maybe to savor them. Maybe now’s the time. It think so. I don’t know, when I listen on this channel, songs are scrutinized more. I have to pay attention. I did enjoy hearing it, Andy seems to have a hate love of religion and that’s fine. I spent some time seeing similarities in religions as to trying incorporate that in my artwork. Anyway, great audible called for today, Peace and Music
Happy Easter, Justin. Dave from London. Is this a great song for Easter? As Sure As Eggs Is Eggs! Wonderful orchestration; one of many classic songs on this album. I agree about the underlying darkness; that is so typical of Andy's songs. The rhythmical trumpet melody reminds me of a Salvation Army band (but maybe one in my nightmare!). Yes, there is a Beachboys vibe, and Dead Can Dance is a good call too for the underlying darkness.
Thanks for the perfect song choice today! Standout though? I don't think of it that way- just another great song in a discography that's full of great songs. I think the Midsommar reference is appropriate. Religion can be a scary thing. If this album has a standout I think it would be The Last Baloon.
I loved this! And it’s the first time I’ve heard it, - sometime - yes to Pet Sounds, but even more the following “SMiLE” sessions. “Cabinessence” from reminds me a little of this.
I did not know XTC before "Oranges and Lemons," and I loved the sound of that and the subsequent albums so much that it was hard for me to go backwards. Based on those later albums, I'd disagree that the contrast in tone between the verse and chorus is unique. In fact, it felt like it was the case more often than not, especially the Andy Partridge compositions. A song would begin with something dark or sinister, and you'd wonder where the melody, the "music," was. And then, as in "Easter Theatre," it would burst out into sunshine and lollipops in the chorus. On the same album, you have to get almost to the end of the angry "Your Dictionary" before the tone totally changes to something almost triumphant. In the beautiful "Harvest Festival," the contrast happens from line to line. Also check out "Playground," the opening cut on "Wasp Star," or "The Ugly Underneath" from "Nonsuch." Maybe it wasn't a prevalent as I think, but it certainly wasn't unique.
Still stuck on Siouxsie & The Banshees' Hong Kong Garden ❣ That sucker is infectious, lol. Should've came with a warning- although it WAS a reaction, huh ? I'm going back to listen for my, what ?- 26th time ? 🚬😎
Such a gorgeous song and so clever, lots of pagan imagery, the stage left and stage right's are reversed, so it's exactly like the perspective of an audience looking at a stage.
Pnawn Da J! Prefab Sprout ‘s ‘I Trawl the Megahertz’ was originally released under the name Paddy McAloon, sometime during the last decade of the 20th Century. I only got around to purchasin it on it’s re-release in 2018/9. Why refer to it here then? Well, i heard One song from Apple Venus upon it’s release in ‘99 and thought 0ooh i must get that album- But Of course I didn’t get round to it. Secondly, Andy Partridge’s softer vocals here remind me of Paddy’s. I wonder if Paddy means anything to u by now? Stop Press from the garage: the tape Game has been halted due to a cassette tape polluting the tape head in the machine. Am i correct to assume that vinegar will clean it?! Or am i barkin up the wrong tree again? (It was Paul McCartney’s giveMyRegardsToBroadStreet btw - serves me right for breakin the rules- shoulda stuck with Todd Rundgren !) Now then, the comments here regarding Christians celebrating Ishtar Sunday with their pagan eggs & bunnies are indeed on point. One day is no match for a daily, all year round appreciation of what God has done in his redemptive plan. See also The Theology of Prefab Sprout over their chequered discography. I’m no Xtc megafan, so I’ll enjoy this tour of their perimeters. The Jellyfish Lilac Time Triffids Passions Doll by Doll Divine Comedy brigade will have to form an orderly queue behind MrDolby. No, one mustn’t count one’s classic 1984 lps before they hatch. Hold on wait a minute I can’t reeeeaaaaaaadddddd my Writing MY OWN WRITING!!!
hahaha. yes art pop. and the trumpets are kinda FUNEREAL. I love thatcha picked up on the darkness of this masterpiece. and yes there are total XTC nerds. I would be one. hahaha.
JP, Happy Easter to you, hope you have/had a great day!. And just an FYI there is another artist that wrote a song with Easter in the title called Watermelon in Easter Hay, that artist is Frank Zappa. It's also a great song to play today but since you've already chosen a song title with that in it may I suggest "The Ocean Is the Ultimate Solution", you'd really like it. As always I post this with the sincerest of intentions. Keep up the great work!
@@JustJP your welcome JP. I enjoy your analysis of songs a great deal. You have a nice balance of seriousness and also not taking things too seriously, its a great balance.
XTC are masters of dark discordance. Their back catalogue is littered with it. It's not really unique insomuch it sounds typically like XTC. I think of XTC as a prog band that only wrote pop songs. No complaints from me if you did their entire back catalogue 😉
Agreed. A prog band disguised as a pop band. Andy’s desert island disc is Tony Williams’ Lifetime ‘Emergency!’ His fave guitar player is John McLaughlin. Dave Gregory (XTC’s other guitarist) was later in Big Big Train, an out and out prog band. Andy also loves Captain Beefheart.
Thanks for taking on this request, JP. It was great to hear it on Easter day. If you'd like a change up the next time you listen to XTC, try Colin Moulding's guitar-driven tunes "My Bird Performs" ruclips.net/video/-fx8D1ixbys/видео.html. and "Vanishing Girl" (which was written as part of the XTC psychedelic side-project named The Dukes of Stratosphear) ruclips.net/video/0bbqezgfqD8/видео.html
If you want to hear how diverse XTC was, listen to Colin's Cross Wires from their first album White Music, then listen to the last song he did in 2005, Say It.. Hard to believe it's the same singer.
Some other great XTC choices..."The Church of Women", "The Wheel and the Maypole", "Greenman", We're All light"....And from Dukes of the Stratossphere.."Brainiac's Daughter".
For me - their best album. As mentioned River of Orchids is the best track, the last track is also a great way of ending an album too (with a little King Crmson Islands rip-off/tribute too)... Check out the great guitar riff of Stupidly Happy on Apple Venus II as well. Happy Easter!!
Dave Gregory left (all but disbanded) XTC because he was reluctant to split the material into two releases. I can't say I blame him. Apple Venus and Wasp Star should have been one album. The music was recorded at one time. Each album has it's pluses and minuses, but... In 2000, a DOUBLE album by XTC with the same songs... priceless!
Dude! 10:21 I just got done typing that it gives me Dead Can Dance vibes and that you should listen to The Carnival Is Over haha. We're on the same wavelength lmao
One of the standout tracks on a great album. “River of Orchids” and “Harvest Festival” are a couple other particular favorites of mine from this one, but there isn’t really a weak song. I believe it was planned to be a double album, but the band ran out of money and volume 2, the more rock-oriented Wasp Star, had to be released separately.
11:56 The phrase "the son has died, the father can be born" is a great phrase that should not be confused with a biblical reference to Jesus, but rather with the pagan wisdom about the cyclical, continuous and eternal process of life, in which All of us who are children grow up until we get to "Easter" of our life (specifically the spring solstice), which is when we reach sexual maturity, and just with the act of procreation, we stop being children, in other words that "the son has died"; to become in parents, in other words that "the father can be born"
You simply must listen to Skylarking, start to finish. I used to wear a T-shirt of the Skylarking album cover, and when I wore it random people would run at me yelling Oh-my-God-that-is-such-a-great-album!
Andy Partridge was influenced by those who came before! The Beatles, Kinks and Beach Boys are some that I hear but always their own! Thanks again Justin....
One of the great songs from XTC, can't say it's a lot more complex than the rest of the ouvre. As you continue through Oranges and Lemons you'll hear several songs with this same depth. XTC is definitely a step ahead of most art pop, smart and sophisticated.
Easter was originally a Pagan holiday called Oestara, and it was a celebration of fertility. That's where the eggs come from. And you know what rabbits are famous for. The Christian church appropriated it and turned it into something else. Your connection to MIDSOMMAR was pretty good (love that movie, by the way). What I was thinking, though, is how much the music here reminds me of parts of Oldfield's "Incantations" which is also Pagan inspired . There's a whole genre there if you want to dig for it. But this is such a beautiful song, from a guy who doesn't seem capable of creating anything but some of the most gorgeous pop rock of the last four decades. And yes, please dip into Pet Sounds!
First listen for me too. Not heard this album, or their last. And I'm not sure... In many way XTC on a plate, what I sort of expected, and there's lots to like. Partic those harmonies, the orchestration, and the little trumpet parts. That said, as a whole it didn't quite grab me. Certainly not on this first listen, like almost all other XTC material has. Interesting, but not great. I'll have to listen to it again, give it another go.
That was a gorgeous work. This is one of their albums I don't know at all, but I need to correct that. I like how the chord structures shift from diminished minors into brightly augmented majors within a phrase and then the chorus virtually erasing the "dark" sound to a movement of sky and sunlight. What a brilliant composition.
@@kevinmottram9491 indeed I did. Thanks for letting me know. Haha, I do those sort of typos too often. Like, what an excellent dong! because the s and the d are right next to each other. Duh.
Hi Justin ,this album is unique .From what I understand Andy P. Wanted to do something different after all the electric Albums they've done & wanted to do something orchestral . But all there later albums have a mid - period Beatle / Beach boys feel to them ALA Revolver to Magical mystery tour or Pet sounds , very creative & experimental
I can ALWAYS take a break and listen to some XTC, a truly remarkable band. Now, to expand your horizons even more try something off their first couple albums.
I was not a fan back in the day either. As a teenager I never cared much for their early 'new wave' stuff. I decided on a whim to listen to them again starting with Skylarking and going forward. All their later works bowled me over (including the Dukes of Stratosphere). I went back to their early albums which I did not like as a young lad and realise now just how good they were.
Happy co-opted christen holiday to you. I would be in X.T.C. if you keep pulling rabbits out of your hat, and I won't make a peep.Shake a bag of cat food you will hear Pet Sounds the easy way! Kitty,kitty,kitty! Peace and happiness to you and your family.
This is Easter in the old days...not the sanitized Christian Easter. Clues are when he mentions Odin. And yes, that movie is a good comparison and wicker man.
This was so welcomed in 1999 for gen x fans of beach boys / beatles/ paul mac who rarely got to hear new music released that featured baroque pop and melody hooks. Its a great album btw, lush production.
This song holds a very special memory for me... I quietly sang the section from the end (doo-doo dup-doo-doo, etc) over and over to my baby daughter on the night she was born five weeks early, as I sat with her in the special care baby unit. ♥️
Sometime arround 1999 the three remaining Beatles teamed up to record an unfinished song. Luckily they had the song track from Lennon recorded from their time together. Of course they added some modern embellishments to make it a bit more up to date 😊
mmm.. great album...BUT... it's a real orchestra. Not only is it not Dave Gregory on this song...He's not on this album. In fact, he was so pissed off about not being included in the album... he quit the group. Andy felt bad about it, but he said there was no need for Dave on the album, it wasn't personal. But Dave took it personally. That all said, it's still one of XTC's best albums (sorry Dave). The songs Green Man and Frivolous stand out.
@@1mbpdf33 Dave did leave the band during the sessions for this album, not the following one - but as you say, the contributions he recorded before he quit were included.
A timely listen, JP! Andy leans toward the pagan, as you picked up. Be sure to see Green Man on this album to continue that theme with another "different" sound from them. This album was the first release after a long hiatus due to contractual disputes and was literally music to my ears. Please continue exploring Vol 1 - can't wait for you to hit River Of Orchids, too. I love this group.
@JustJP: I only now found your reaction to this, one of my favorite songs. It's fantastic that you got it so perfectly, not only the music but the lyrics too, all those mythical references Andy implants there. When Apple Venus vol. 1 came out in 1999, we were expecting our first child and the line "now the Son has died, the Father can be born" just broke me in tears; it made me realize I was no longer just someone's son who, in a sense, has to die in order to let the father be born, that I'm now facing this new me and everything that comes with it. So it's a very, very personal song for me - and I'm happy to say that my our now 24-year old firstborn loves XTC and this song as much as I do 😊 And maybe, in time, he will pass on the torch... So thanks JP, loved your commentary and love your channel ❤ Cheers from 🇫🇮
For a more pagan look at spring traditions, "Green Man" off the same album is wonderful - one of XTC's finest songs.
Aren't XTC the best ever?? They are to me. Even the cat heard it and wanted more!
I'm enjoying them :D
Apple Venus was a unique record. It was their orchestral masterpiece.
XTC, now you're talking, absolutely brilliant band.
Not only one of Andy Partridge's best songs...but for me one of the most beautiful songs ever written. You can hear the Brian Wilson and Beatles influences here so perfectly. You nailed it
In that album, River Of Orchids is more unique yet
This is one of my favorites by XTC, which is an incredibly high bar. The middle 8 gives me chills even after innumerable listens. Others have excellent suggestions; I'm just really happy you reacted to this one. Other XTC joints with very interesting vibes: Sacrificial Bonfire, Rook, Then She Appeared. Please follow up with more XTC!
Thanks for reacting to XTC, love it. There should be hundreds of videos on them on RUclips but they still seem to be flying under the radar. Thank you!
Andy Partridge believes "Easter Theatre" is the best song he's ever written. Not only do I agree, but I think it's the best song anyone has ever written. "Easter Theatre" is the best song I have ever heard in my entire life. I could listen to it 1,000 times a day and never grow tired of it.
Hi JP, This has been a special XTC tune for me. More rich than a Cadbury egg. This is part of the amazing other album Apple Venus volume(crazy good) which is in my top 5. Good ear JP. THX
The entire album is great. Unique. Luscious.
Yup, it’s unique. Love that you are doing these vids , promoting XTC music. Thanks a lot.
Happily :) Ty
The beginning to me is a seed growing from the earth. that's why it's dark. Then it blooms to a sunflower, hence the glorious uplifting music. It's finally reaching the sun...
Andy Partridge often delves into the death & rebirth theme of seasons, which fluctuates between sadness/darkness and uplifting/hope.
Like Easter, it's about how like and death are intertwined. So even with the joy of new life, the undertone of death is always there, this is why the lyrics can be so cheery and a little sinister at the same time. "Now the son is dead, the father can be born" it's all a cycle.
This reminds me to Beach Boys Surf's Up lyrics in the end, "A child is the father of the man"
For most bands this would be a stand out track but fortunately XTC have many more. Very good reaction, big thumbs!
So glad you hit more XTC... River of Orchids, Greenman, Easter Theatre are all amazing from this album... but my favorite remains Harvest Festival. Apple Venus was a miraculous album that only appeared after the band went on strike against Virgin Records for SEVEN YEARS. They finally got out of their horrible contract and produced this masterpiece.
Fantastic reaction and thoughtful commentary, as usual, Justin. You pretty much nailed the song meaning... as Andy Partridge loves his wordplay... and, unlike most, can play with more than one idea in a song... and do so in a totally unique and wonderful way. Cheers!
Probably my favorite XTC song...
Agreed that it's unique. Dischords on the strings, against happy-pop.
As far as Easter goes, it's essentially a pagan celebration of the Spring. The church figured out early on that going against what people know to be the Truth (i.e. that Odin and Shrek physically inseminate flowers as the Sun begins to turn - or whatever they know is True at any particular time) is impossibly difficult, so they just reinterpreted paganism as a kind of prophecy of the churches eventual appearance on the scene (with the Real Truth). So they took over things like fertility festivals, instead of banning them.
Snorri Snurlesson, when he wrote down the old Sagas, explained many things in terms of how the old people were essentially right, but misheard the message of God. So he did things like equate the story of Balder with that of Christ. (As far as my rather vague memory recalls, anyway).
Those strings could be in a Hitchcock movie at times, while the rest of the song goes skipping through the poppy fields of pop.
There's also something odd in the "Stage Left" and "Stage Right". Those are aspects of theatre you'd only see from up on the stage or behind the scenes. I get something of a "puppet show" there. A manipulation of appearances to create The Truth out of all the fiction.
Really well-done analysis here. Yes, the strings reminded me of Bernard Herrmann similar in their sonic presentation as in the Beatles' Eleanor Rigby.
Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hopping down the bunny trail.
Hippity, hoppity, trip.*
Musically I really liked this song. I haven't paid much attention to the lyrics but it sounds great. The rebirth of the world in the Spring predates Christianity hence the connection of eggs to Easter. Did ancient man think the world was shaped like an egg?
Great song and review. More XTC please.
* I have a song for Xmas as well but I will save it until then. One of my older cousins on my Dad's side taught me these when I was a kid.
I'll be waiting til then :D
Thank you for the XTC, I know I have been on you for years now about it, but I had a feeling you would love them. The more XTC the better. Again thank you I love all the XTC and you are the only person reacting to them. Keep it up!
Thanks Michael! I'm enjoying them a lot! :D
Great review, great song, reminds me of The Beatles' circa Magical Mystery Tour
I hoped you'd do this one, and I wasn't disappointed with your reaction. Apple Venus is the first of a two-album set, and is predominately acoustic. Wasp Star, released the following year, has a more 'traditional' rock feel. The final track 'The Wheel And The Maypole' celebrates another ancient festival of spring, and sees the band sign off in terrific style.
What a way to sign off...The Wheel and the Maypole is just brilliant.
So beautiful.
Great description J.P. Midsommar soundtrack def! The trumpets btw have a real Beatles feel.
Xtc are an unique band.
A celebration of New life. Happy Easter.
Oh boy - what an ingenious album. This isn't even the best off it imo. I can only urge you to listen to the whole thing (privately at least)...
If at all, the entire album is a standout, because most on it is in this orchestral art-pop vein!
Glad you're discovering this, Justin.
I almost don't think of "Easter Theatre" as a song-just calling it "a song" doesn't do it justice. What a great track.
Thanks! Haven’t heard this in forever
My wife and I listened to the whole cd yesterday! We were driving down to the Javitz Center in NYC for her second shot. I make a point of listening to this every year at Easter time, the whole thing reminds me of Spring and the cycle of the year. One of our musical traditions. Dark? Yeah, early Spring is not all warm sunshine, the beginning is cold and dreary. Check at the first track "River of Orchards", it's unique too!
Perfect timing! Hope your wife is doing well!
So many ideas packed within four and a half minutes. They make odd sound pop. Does this song represent their discography? Somehow yes, because it's unique as their output has been throughout two decades. More Beatles circa 1967 than Beach Boys, anyway.
Talking about Odd Pop, have you ever listened to Andrew Bird? I'm pretty convinced that XTC fans would enjoy his 2005 album "Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production Of Eggs".
Thanks JP, liked the music and the reaction.
Anytime Doug :) Thank you
Awww....heck yeah!!! One of my favorite XTC from Apple Venus. Just the imagery of Easter entering the stage
The rest of the album Apple Venus Volume 1 has more of that "unique" sound that are you feeling from this song. It's one of the most masterfully arranged pop albums I've heard with all the strings and horn parts, and I think it shows some maturation of their songwriting as it comes very late in their career (1999). It was definitely a bit of a departure in sound for them and almost eschews rock altogether. Every track on the album is great but "Greenman" would be another highlight to check out. All 14 XTC albums are very good but Apple Venus Volume 1 is probably in my top 3.
On the single CD version of Easter Theatre, Andy Partridge explains how Easter Theatre came about. It makes very interesting listening. It’s probably the atonal off centre sound at the start that makes you think it sounds ‘dark’, when I heard it on its release, I found it exhilarating because they had had a long sabbatical from Nonsuch to Apple Venus. Harvest Festival, River of Orchids and Greenman are also stand out tracks on AV1. BTW, Norse, ancient Briton culture and symbolism mixed with early Christianity in the U.K. Many churches still stand in the U.K. that have this symbolism etched into the walls.
It's a very good song and when Apple Venus Volume 1 was released in 1999 I found the album to be really great with all these orchestral arrangements, however for a few years now I've not been so excited about this album whose songs I find finally a little too uniform to my taste despite the richness and luxuriance of the arrangements.
My two favorite tracks on this album (and also in the entire XTC discography) are "I Can't Own Her" and "The Last Balloon".
Wow. That's a great song. I'm not that familiar with XTC, but I think I'll be checking them out...
yes. it is one of their best songs.
Great reaction. Fantastic song, album, band. This is a rather pagan take on the holiday, which was the pre christen meaning of this holiday.
XTC is musically an interresting band, a Frankenstein monster of The Beatles and Yes maybe. The lyrics are often either very intellectual or playfull, two sides of the same picture.
The American version of XTC is with no doubt Mike Keneally, or at least some of his albums. He has even collaborated with Andy Partridge in Wing Beat Fantastic -album (2012).
I think you would like Keneally. A good starting point would be Tranqillado from his 1997 album Sluggo!. Keneally played with Zappa and toured with Steve Vai so it makes him a musician worth checking out.
I’m really digging your reactions dude! It’s so cool to see someone slowly get into this band and all their amazing songs. I’ll be here to see more :-)
Thanks Pirate! I'm having a great time with them
I’ve put off really listening to these last couple XTC albums... maybe to savor them. Maybe now’s the time. It think so. I don’t know, when I listen on this channel, songs are scrutinized more. I have to pay attention. I did enjoy hearing it, Andy seems to have a hate love of religion and that’s fine. I spent some time seeing similarities in religions as to trying incorporate that in my artwork.
Anyway, great audible called for today,
Peace and Music
Happy Easter, Justin. Dave from London. Is this a great song for Easter? As Sure As Eggs Is Eggs! Wonderful orchestration; one of many classic songs on this album. I agree about the underlying darkness; that is so typical of Andy's songs. The rhythmical trumpet melody reminds me of a Salvation Army band (but maybe one in my nightmare!). Yes, there is a Beachboys vibe, and Dead Can Dance is a good call too for the underlying darkness.
Thanks for the perfect song choice today! Standout though? I don't think of it that way- just another great song in a discography that's full of great songs. I think the Midsommar reference is appropriate. Religion can be a scary thing. If this album has a standout I think it would be The Last Baloon.
I loved this! And it’s the first time I’ve heard it, - sometime - yes to Pet Sounds, but even more the following “SMiLE” sessions. “Cabinessence” from reminds me a little of this.
Definitely have to do a deep dive into Pet Sounds and The Smile Sessions!!!
I did not know XTC before "Oranges and Lemons," and I loved the sound of that and the subsequent albums so much that it was hard for me to go backwards. Based on those later albums, I'd disagree that the contrast in tone between the verse and chorus is unique. In fact, it felt like it was the case more often than not, especially the Andy Partridge compositions. A song would begin with something dark or sinister, and you'd wonder where the melody, the "music," was. And then, as in "Easter Theatre," it would burst out into sunshine and lollipops in the chorus. On the same album, you have to get almost to the end of the angry "Your Dictionary" before the tone totally changes to something almost triumphant. In the beautiful "Harvest Festival," the contrast happens from line to line. Also check out "Playground," the opening cut on "Wasp Star," or "The Ugly Underneath" from "Nonsuch." Maybe it wasn't a prevalent as I think, but it certainly wasn't unique.
Masterpiece wich reaches souls worldwide.
Serious dive down the rabbit 🐇 hole❤️!!!
🐣🐰
One of my top 5 XTC songs!
Still stuck on Siouxsie & The Banshees' Hong Kong Garden ❣
That sucker is infectious, lol. Should've came with a warning- although it WAS a reaction, huh ? I'm going back to listen for my, what ?- 26th time ?
🚬😎
Haha glad you enjoyed it so much!
I hadn’t heard this one before & I loved it!❤️
Nice! Glad you enjoyed it as well!
Easter Theater is a masterpiece.
Now it's time to do
The WHEEL and the MAYPOLE please it's their swan song also a masterpiece.
Such a gorgeous song and so clever, lots of pagan imagery, the stage left and stage right's are reversed, so it's exactly like the perspective of an audience looking at a stage.
Pnawn Da J! Prefab Sprout ‘s ‘I Trawl the Megahertz’ was originally released under the name Paddy McAloon, sometime during the last decade of the 20th Century. I only got around to purchasin it on it’s re-release in 2018/9. Why refer to it here then? Well, i heard One song from Apple Venus upon it’s release in ‘99 and thought 0ooh i must get that album-
But
Of course I didn’t get round to it.
Secondly, Andy Partridge’s softer vocals here remind me of Paddy’s.
I wonder if Paddy means anything to u by now?
Stop Press from the garage: the tape Game has been halted due to a cassette tape polluting the tape head in the machine.
Am i correct to assume that vinegar will clean it?! Or am i barkin up the wrong tree again?
(It was Paul McCartney’s giveMyRegardsToBroadStreet btw - serves me right for breakin the rules- shoulda stuck with Todd Rundgren !)
Now then, the comments here regarding Christians celebrating Ishtar Sunday with their pagan eggs & bunnies are indeed on point. One day is no match for a daily, all year round appreciation of what God has done in his redemptive plan. See also The Theology of Prefab Sprout over their chequered discography.
I’m no Xtc megafan, so I’ll enjoy this tour of their perimeters. The Jellyfish Lilac Time Triffids Passions Doll by Doll Divine Comedy brigade will have to form an orderly queue behind
MrDolby.
No, one mustn’t count one’s classic 1984 lps before they hatch. Hold on wait a minute I can’t reeeeaaaaaaadddddd my
Writing
MY OWN WRITING!!!
hahaha. yes art pop. and the trumpets are kinda FUNEREAL. I love thatcha picked up on the darkness of this masterpiece. and yes there are total XTC nerds. I would be one. hahaha.
JP, Happy Easter to you, hope you have/had a great day!. And just an FYI there is another artist that wrote a song with Easter in the title called Watermelon in Easter Hay, that artist is Frank Zappa. It's also a great song to play today but since you've already chosen a song title with that in it may I suggest "The Ocean Is the Ultimate Solution", you'd really like it. As always I post this with the sincerest of intentions. Keep up the great work!
Ty Ron🙃
@@JustJP your welcome JP. I enjoy your analysis of songs a great deal. You have a nice balance of seriousness and also not taking things too seriously, its a great balance.
XTC are masters of dark discordance. Their back catalogue is littered with it. It's not really unique insomuch it sounds typically like XTC.
I think of XTC as a prog band that only wrote pop songs.
No complaints from me if you did their entire back catalogue 😉
Agreed about the discordance/dissonant edginess. Only on their early albums they would do it in post-punky style with electric guitars :)
Agreed. A prog band disguised as a pop band. Andy’s desert island disc is Tony Williams’ Lifetime ‘Emergency!’ His fave guitar player is John McLaughlin. Dave Gregory (XTC’s other guitarist) was later in Big Big Train, an out and out prog band. Andy also loves Captain Beefheart.
The trumpet section reminded me of a part from Mike Oldfield's INCANTATIONS part 2...
Ooo good call Joe!
I liked it 💚. Good musicianship and some unique chords and timbres. I hear some Beatles influence, too.
Update: No 💚, it’s not on Spotify. Too bad.
Haha I know, I wish I couldve added it on Spotify as well!
There are also lots of Beatles circa Sgt Pepper around along side Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. The chorus was pure Paul McCartney vibe.
Yeah, I definitely felt the Beatles vibe throughout.
When I first heard Harvest Festival on the radio I thought it WAS McCartney!
One of my favourite XTC songs it’s somewhere between medieval and Beatles! The m8 almost makes me cry it’s so warm and life affirming.
Thanks for taking on this request, JP. It was great to hear it on Easter day. If you'd like a change up the next time you listen to XTC, try Colin Moulding's guitar-driven tunes "My Bird Performs" ruclips.net/video/-fx8D1ixbys/видео.html. and "Vanishing Girl" (which was written as part of the XTC psychedelic side-project named The Dukes of Stratosphear) ruclips.net/video/0bbqezgfqD8/видео.html
If you want to hear how diverse XTC was, listen to Colin's Cross Wires from their first album White Music, then listen to the last song he did in 2005, Say It..
Hard to believe it's the same singer.
Some other great XTC choices..."The Church of Women", "The Wheel and the Maypole", "Greenman", We're All light"....And from Dukes of the Stratossphere.."Brainiac's Daughter".
For me - their best album. As mentioned River of Orchids is the best track, the last track is also a great way of ending an album too (with a little King Crmson Islands rip-off/tribute too)... Check out the great guitar riff of Stupidly Happy on Apple Venus II as well. Happy Easter!!
Dave Gregory left (all but disbanded) XTC because he was reluctant to split the material into two releases.
I can't say I blame him. Apple Venus and Wasp Star should have been one album. The music was recorded at one time.
Each album has it's pluses and minuses, but...
In 2000, a DOUBLE album by XTC with the same songs... priceless!
Gregory was also apparently angry at Partridge for insisting on hiring a full orchestra (which the band really didn't have the money for).
Dude! 10:21 I just got done typing that it gives me Dead Can Dance vibes and that you should listen to The Carnival Is Over haha. We're on the same wavelength lmao
Haha great minds!
@@JustJP Indeed!
One of the standout tracks on a great album. “River of Orchids” and “Harvest Festival” are a couple other particular favorites of mine from this one, but there isn’t really a weak song. I believe it was planned to be a double album, but the band ran out of money and volume 2, the more rock-oriented Wasp Star, had to be released separately.
11:56 The phrase "the son has died, the father can be born" is a great phrase that should not be confused with a biblical reference to Jesus, but rather with the pagan wisdom about the cyclical, continuous and eternal process of life, in which All of us who are children grow up until we get to "Easter" of our life (specifically the spring solstice), which is when we reach sexual maturity, and just with the act of procreation, we stop being children, in other words that "the son has died"; to become in parents, in other words that "the father can be born"
You simply must listen to Skylarking, start to finish. I used to wear a T-shirt of the Skylarking album cover, and when I wore it random people would run at me yelling Oh-my-God-that-is-such-a-great-album!
Andy Partridge was influenced by those who came before! The Beatles, Kinks and Beach Boys are some that I hear but always their own! Thanks again Justin....
One of the great songs from XTC, can't say it's a lot more complex than the rest of the ouvre. As you continue through Oranges and Lemons you'll hear several songs with this same depth. XTC is definitely a step ahead of most art pop, smart and sophisticated.
Easter was originally a Pagan holiday called Oestara, and it was a celebration of fertility. That's where the eggs come from. And you know what rabbits are famous for. The Christian church appropriated it and turned it into something else. Your connection to MIDSOMMAR was pretty good (love that movie, by the way). What I was thinking, though, is how much the music here reminds me of parts of Oldfield's "Incantations" which is also Pagan inspired . There's a whole genre there if you want to dig for it. But this is such a beautiful song, from a guy who doesn't seem capable of creating anything but some of the most gorgeous pop rock of the last four decades. And yes, please dip into Pet Sounds!
First listen for me too. Not heard this album, or their last. And I'm not sure... In many way XTC on a plate, what I sort of expected, and there's lots to like. Partic those harmonies, the orchestration, and the little trumpet parts. That said, as a whole it didn't quite grab me. Certainly not on this first listen, like almost all other XTC material has. Interesting, but not great. I'll have to listen to it again, give it another go.
Great album. Very English. Somewhat pagan.
That was a gorgeous work. This is one of their albums I don't know at all, but I need to correct that. I like how the chord structures shift from diminished minors into brightly augmented majors within a phrase and then the chorus virtually erasing the "dark" sound to a movement of sky and sunlight. What a brilliant composition.
Hopefully you meant 'shift' there?
@@kevinmottram9491 indeed I did. Thanks for letting me know. Haha, I do those sort of typos too often. Like, what an excellent dong! because the s and the d are right next to each other. Duh.
Hi Justin ,this album is unique .From what I understand Andy P. Wanted to do something different after all the electric Albums they've done & wanted to do something orchestral . But all there later albums have a mid - period Beatle / Beach boys feel to them ALA Revolver to Magical mystery tour or Pet sounds , very creative & experimental
I can ALWAYS take a break and listen to some XTC, a truly remarkable band. Now, to expand your horizons even more try something off their first couple albums.
Now, listen to Easter by Marillion!!!!
Phenomenal!!!!
Here ya go ;) ruclips.net/video/gJrbmvprujc/видео.html
Haven't heard a lot of XTC. I wasn't keen on their singles back in the day, but this is the best I have ever heard. Nice surprise.
I was not a fan back in the day either. As a teenager I never cared much for their early 'new wave' stuff. I decided on a whim to listen to them again starting with Skylarking and going forward. All their later works bowled me over (including the Dukes of Stratosphere). I went back to their early albums which I did not like as a young lad and realise now just how good they were.
Happy co-opted christen holiday to you. I would be in X.T.C. if you keep pulling rabbits out of your hat, and I won't make a peep.Shake a bag of cat food you will
hear Pet Sounds the easy way! Kitty,kitty,kitty! Peace and happiness to you and your family.
Too bad this is not available on Spotify.
Also love the tension created in the verse as it rises and rises then you get that sweet chorus!
I don't know about unique but maybe in the Pop sphere it is. I need someone like Rick Beato to take me through it.
You should do a reaction of XTC Skylarking, an almost concept album with some of the best thematic and melodic moments of any record.
This is Easter in the old days...not the sanitized Christian Easter. Clues are when he mentions Odin. And yes, that movie is a good comparison and wicker man.
This was so welcomed in 1999 for gen x fans of beach boys / beatles/ paul mac who rarely got to hear new music released that featured baroque pop and melody hooks. Its a great album btw, lush production.
Please do some Grateful Dead or Kaleidoscope first listens!!! Love you❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Have a great Easter, everyone !!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
🚬😎
You too Craig!
This song holds a very special memory for me... I quietly sang the section from the end (doo-doo dup-doo-doo, etc) over and over to my baby daughter on the night she was born five weeks early, as I sat with her in the special care baby unit. ♥️
She's a typical moody almost thirteen year old now!
Thats a lovely memory Jason! Ty for sharing that
I believe Easter Parade is the song Andy P is most proud of from his back catalogue. . .
Sometime arround 1999 the three remaining Beatles teamed up to record an unfinished song. Luckily they had the song track from Lennon recorded from their time together. Of course they added some modern embellishments to make it a bit more up to date 😊
For the darkest Easter song, try The Tiger Lilies' "Banging in the Nails." but only if you're ready.
You can definitely hear strong influences in this song from both The Beatles and The Beach Boys.
mmm.. great album...BUT... it's a real orchestra. Not only is it not Dave Gregory on this song...He's not on this album. In fact, he was so pissed off about not being included in the album... he quit the group. Andy felt bad about it, but he said there was no need for Dave on the album, it wasn't personal. But Dave took it personally. That all said, it's still one of XTC's best albums (sorry Dave). The songs Green Man and Frivolous stand out.
Dave G is on this album and also created a lot of the orchestral arrangements. You're thinking of Wasp Star, the album after. :)
@@1mbpdf33 Dave did leave the band during the sessions for this album, not the following one - but as you say, the contributions he recorded before he quit were included.