XTC have one of the most fascinating career progressions in music. From their highly-energetic, eclectic, punkish new wave of their first album, to the pastoral, acoustic-driven songs found on “English Settlement,” XTC seem to have something for everybody. Let us not forget XTC’s psychedelic pop masterpiece “Skylarking,” the incredibly authentic-sounding ‘60’s psychedelic rock as The Dukes of Stratosphear, and the orchestral arrangements on “Apple Venus, Pt. 1.” Andy Partridge’s lyrics also warrant a shout out, truly intelligent, thought-provoking lyrics.
Primary songwriter and lead singer Andy Partridge expertly balanced his experimental side — angular guitar parts mixed with jittery rhythms — with strong sensibilities for pop melodies and hooks, and his partner-in-crime, Colin Moulding, was capable of contributing a few gems of his own on every record.
This may seem like high praise, but the only band that XTC are second to in terms of melodic sensibility is The Beatles, which will certainly be an understandable position to reach after listening through their discography. How so many songs sound like they can be hits, but were not, is unfortunate, but XTC does maintain a sizable and highly passionate fan base, as indicated by numerous active online fan clubs, groups, and cover bands. XTC’s music contains a ton of variety, so to get the best picture of the band as a whole, all of their era’s should be sampled.
Though their final album of new material was released in 2000, interest in their music and legacy has continued to grow over the years. Over the span of around 30 years total, XTC delivered 14 proper albums, dozens of classic singles, and several collections of demos, dubs and remixes along the way. Taken as a whole, their catalog shows how they evolved from one of the many arty English post-punk bands to retro-psychedelia and beyond.
Essential Albums: “Skylarking” (1986), “English Settlement” (1982), “Chips from the Chocolate Fireball” (as The Dukes of Stratosphear) (1987), “Apple Venus, Pt. 1” (1999), “White Music” (1978)
The Fat Angel Sings 