Late 70s XTC are more spikey and New Wavy - early 80s onwards, they become more melodic and almost pastoral at times, but with a quirkiness unlike most other bands. King For A Day is a beautiful uplifting pop song, while Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her is slightly dark and off-kilter. Most of XTCs output is very creative. They even recorded two albums in a retro-psychedelic 60s style in the mid-80s under the name Dukes Of Stratosphear.
Cool to know! Never heard about DoS, but then I wasn't paying attention, either! Thanks for the song suggestions! I already love the title Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her!!
Great band, always been a big fan of there music, check out "Generals and Majors" "No Thugs in Our House" and "Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)" to name but a few....
My intro to this song was the Primus cover from their Miscellaneous Debris EP. That was a much better version than this original version. Not much different in construction, but the Primus version does use modern production methods (even for the early 90s). This sounds like they recorded it themselves straight to tape on a boombox
I'll have to hunt that down. Not a huge fan of Primus...and I'll admit I didn't really get past their most well-known stuff at the time, but I might have to correct that.
British Steel was a huge, loss-making, state-owned British company in the late 70's, then Britain's biggest steel producer. The song was a satire where out-of touch parents were deciding on their son's future in one of many slowly-failing, British companies at that time,
Well, sure I am! LOL Gotta start somewhere! Then, when I get suggestions from those who really know...well, that's where the fun starts! Thanks for watching and for the suggestion! It's on my list.
It’s more a commentary on the perpetual infantilization of the extraordinarily wealthy. You’re meant to get a picture of family who will plan this (adult) child’s life with him in the room, without bothering to consult him. His path is simply understood, as if pre-ordained, due to how much is riding on him vis-a-vis the family name. There’s probably no Primus, at least not as we understand it, without this record. Les has cited it as a primary influence many times over the decades, but they’ve also recorded a cover of this song and Scissor Man which is also on this record. Les clearly got his whole thing of telling stories with an unstated but implied darkness from XTC and The Residents. This album was also in Bass Player Magazine’s 25(iirc) most influential bass records of all time. The people who it’s influenced are all over the place too; I once read an interview with someone from Kittie who dropped the song Ten Feet Tall as formative for her. Personally my favorite track off of this one I believe was originally a B-side that was added to most if not all CD releases which is Complicated Game. But I was coming from a metal background and needed something a little more raucous and dramatic to get me in. With repeated listens though I realized the progressive aspects of XTC are quite subtle. Don’t expect odd time and stunt guitars from these guys. They almost don’t want you to pick up on how clever they actually are. They want you to sit down to cover a song and realize halfway through that the reason it doesn’t sound right is because you’ve underestimated them.
Very cool insights! I'm feeling rather validated to learn I did pick up on the subtle theme of the song. I've had plenty of occasions where I found hidden meanings and such that I only learned later were entirely of my own making. Heh! Fascinating info on their influence. I do find all this info to be encouraging as I start to dig deeper into their work. Thanks for watching and for sharing!
Heh! Believe it! They really don't seem to have hit in the US prior to Dear God. At least that was the first time I heard them, personally. Perhaps if I were older at the time, I might have been introduced to them via college radio, or something. Philly area isn't great for spreading particularly unusual stuff, unfortunately.
Brilliant song from a wonderful band.
GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME.
Best band ever... No two albums are alike..
Try Senses Working Overtime or The Wheel & The Maypole..
Adding them to my list! Thank you very much for the suggestions!
Try their song "Complicated Game" - it's quirky, but more like knife to your throat kind of quirky.
Thank you so much for the watch and the suggestion! Added it to my list!
"Senses working overtime" is 80s music at it's best. Great band! And try "Neon Shuffle" and "Sargent Rock", oh yeah and "Science Friction"
Thank you for the suggestions! I got tied up with other things and life in general, so these are where I'll be headed when I get back to reactions!
Late 70s XTC are more spikey and New Wavy - early 80s onwards, they become more melodic and almost pastoral at times, but with a quirkiness unlike most other bands. King For A Day is a beautiful uplifting pop song, while Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her is slightly dark and off-kilter. Most of XTCs output is very creative. They even recorded two albums in a retro-psychedelic 60s style in the mid-80s under the name Dukes Of Stratosphear.
Cool to know! Never heard about DoS, but then I wasn't paying attention, either! Thanks for the song suggestions! I already love the title Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her!!
Great band, always been a big fan of there music, check out "Generals and Majors" "No Thugs in Our House" and "Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)" to name but a few....
Cool! Adding those to my list. Thanks for the suggestions and for watching!
My intro to this song was the Primus cover from their Miscellaneous Debris EP. That was a much better version than this original version. Not much different in construction, but the Primus version does use modern production methods (even for the early 90s). This sounds like they recorded it themselves straight to tape on a boombox
I'll have to hunt that down. Not a huge fan of Primus...and I'll admit I didn't really get past their most well-known stuff at the time, but I might have to correct that.
Oh yes there is much much much more for you discover with them . Dig deeper and you will be rewarded many times over !
British Steel was a huge, loss-making, state-owned British company in the late 70's, then Britain's biggest steel producer. The song was a satire where out-of touch parents were deciding on their son's future in one of many slowly-failing, British companies at that time,
Ah! Glad to know I was at least partly on-track. That added context reveals more satirical layers. Thanks for that!
You’re playing around with low-hanging fruit. Try something like “Jason and the Argonauts”. Trust me, XTC is one of the smartest bands around.
Well, sure I am! LOL Gotta start somewhere! Then, when I get suggestions from those who really know...well, that's where the fun starts! Thanks for watching and for the suggestion! It's on my list.
It’s more a commentary on the perpetual infantilization of the extraordinarily wealthy. You’re meant to get a picture of family who will plan this (adult) child’s life with him in the room, without bothering to consult him. His path is simply understood, as if pre-ordained, due to how much is riding on him vis-a-vis the family name.
There’s probably no Primus, at least not as we understand it, without this record. Les has cited it as a primary influence many times over the decades, but they’ve also recorded a cover of this song and Scissor Man which is also on this record. Les clearly got his whole thing of telling stories with an unstated but implied darkness from XTC and The Residents. This album was also in Bass Player Magazine’s 25(iirc) most influential bass records of all time. The people who it’s influenced are all over the place too; I once read an interview with someone from Kittie who dropped the song Ten Feet Tall as formative for her.
Personally my favorite track off of this one I believe was originally a B-side that was added to most if not all CD releases which is Complicated Game. But I was coming from a metal background and needed something a little more raucous and dramatic to get me in. With repeated listens though I realized the progressive aspects of XTC are quite subtle. Don’t expect odd time and stunt guitars from these guys. They almost don’t want you to pick up on how clever they actually are. They want you to sit down to cover a song and realize halfway through that the reason it doesn’t sound right is because you’ve underestimated them.
Very cool insights! I'm feeling rather validated to learn I did pick up on the subtle theme of the song. I've had plenty of occasions where I found hidden meanings and such that I only learned later were entirely of my own making. Heh! Fascinating info on their influence. I do find all this info to be encouraging as I start to dig deeper into their work. Thanks for watching and for sharing!
Can’t believe you’ve never heard this song. I agree, it is better than Dear God.
Heh! Believe it! They really don't seem to have hit in the US prior to Dear God. At least that was the first time I heard them, personally. Perhaps if I were older at the time, I might have been introduced to them via college radio, or something. Philly area isn't great for spreading particularly unusual stuff, unfortunately.
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Very eclectic mix!