Glen! It feels like forever since I’ve talked with you! I plan to finish their catalog. Hopefully I’ll find a few more records that I like. Take care. ✌️
Growth is the key word! When they lost their keyboardist, Barry Andrews (after Go 2), they replaced him with a completely different instrumentalist, guitarist Dave Gregory. This unlocked a new phase in their career-like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. It was a case of the band being ready to evolve and finding the right personality to help bring that out. As an XTC fan, I tend to forget the first 2 albums, considering Drums & Wires to be the beginning of their proper career. This phase runs at least through English Settlement, another career-defining peak, before they stopped touring and became a studio band, going through ups and downs along that path. Their side excursion as The Dukes of Stratosphear brought some energy and life back into their career, culminating in the LP hit Skylarking (featuring ‘Dear God’). Their last two records, Apple Venus and Wasp Star, were the result of a prolonged strike against their record company, the songs existing in demo form for years before they finally saw a proper studio release. And those, unfortunately, proved to be the band's swan song. Black Sea gets a lot of praise, but I think Drums & Wires outranks it. There are different running orders, depending on the country, and I think the original US release (which starts with ‘Life Begins at the Hop’) crushes all others.
Nice! Thank you for sharing this. I plan to continue through their albums. English Settlement has come up several times as a favorite. I’m interested in listening that on in particular. Thanks for watching. ✌️
I'd agree. The first 2 albums XTC 'played' (IMO) at being a British punk band. But Drums And Wires was the transitional album, when they started to move away from that. You do need to hear the 4th double album 'English Settlerment' when they really became creative, and arguably their best album.
You want a great XTC album is a double album they have called English Settlement. English Settlement came out in 1982. I first heard them in 1982 when I was a freshman in HS. By 1984, I was a convert having owned a few of their albums by than. Their big hit back at that time was a song off English Settlement called Sense working Overtime. Still hold up and a really great tune. There are a number of their songs that are excellent IMHO
Go2 is the best XTC album. I don't know why fans won't accept this universal truth. Nice surroundings, incidentally. Reminds me much of my homeland on the South Carolina coast. (You are in Florida, I take it?)
Hey John..I fell in love with XTC a couple of years ago..One of my top ten fav bands now..my favs are English Settlement and Black Sea..
Glen! It feels like forever since I’ve talked with you! I plan to finish their catalog. Hopefully I’ll find a few more records that I like. Take care. ✌️
Growth is the key word! When they lost their keyboardist, Barry Andrews (after Go 2), they replaced him with a completely different instrumentalist, guitarist Dave Gregory. This unlocked a new phase in their career-like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. It was a case of the band being ready to evolve and finding the right personality to help bring that out.
As an XTC fan, I tend to forget the first 2 albums, considering Drums & Wires to be the beginning of their proper career. This phase runs at least through English Settlement, another career-defining peak, before they stopped touring and became a studio band, going through ups and downs along that path. Their side excursion as The Dukes of Stratosphear brought some energy and life back into their career, culminating in the LP hit Skylarking (featuring ‘Dear God’). Their last two records, Apple Venus and Wasp Star, were the result of a prolonged strike against their record company, the songs existing in demo form for years before they finally saw a proper studio release. And those, unfortunately, proved to be the band's swan song.
Black Sea gets a lot of praise, but I think Drums & Wires outranks it. There are different running orders, depending on the country, and I think the original US release (which starts with ‘Life Begins at the Hop’) crushes all others.
Nice! Thank you for sharing this. I plan to continue through their albums. English Settlement has come up several times as a favorite. I’m interested in listening that on in particular. Thanks for watching. ✌️
XTC rocks! My favorite song of theirs is from Drums and Wires (Complicated Game)
Larry! I plan to give English Settlement a listen soon. Take care my friend in the North! ✌🏻
@@musictalkwithjohn It's Glen's favorite XTC album, you better love it!! 😃
I'd agree. The first 2 albums XTC 'played' (IMO) at being a British punk band. But Drums And Wires was the transitional album, when they started to move away from that. You do need to hear the 4th double album 'English Settlerment' when they really became creative, and arguably their best album.
English Settlement is on my list. I might review albums 4-6. Thanks for watching. ✌🏻
You want a great XTC album is a double album they have called English Settlement. English Settlement came out in 1982.
I first heard them in 1982 when I was a freshman in HS. By 1984, I was a convert having owned a few of their albums by than. Their big hit back at that time was a song off English Settlement called Sense working Overtime. Still hold up and a really great tune. There are a number of their songs that are excellent IMHO
I definitely need to check out English Settlement. I've heard many good things about it. Thank you for watching. ✌🏻
Go2 is the best XTC album. I don't know why fans won't accept this universal truth.
Nice surroundings, incidentally. Reminds me much of my homeland on the South Carolina coast. (You are in Florida, I take it?)
Yes, I'm in Florida. I film on a nice little path near my house. Thanks for watching. ✌🏻