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Any XTC fans?

I'm listening to XTC's "Apple Venus" right now. This is really good stuff. I believe "Skylarking" is the critic's favorite but "Oranges and Lemons" has always been mine. I've listened to "Apple Venus" five or six times in the past week and it's getting to me (in a good way). Why have I listened to it so frequently? My house is packed for an upcoming move and I only left 40 or 50 cds unpacked and this is one of them. Reducing your selection is not a bad thing as it brings you closer to some good music.
timrhu
qdrone
1,039 posts
 
O.k. Apple Venus showed up today and after polishing, installing a CD Monster Ring, CD Stoplight and running it through the Bedini Clarifier I sat down and gave it a whirl. Can anyone name me another person who writes songs like Andy Partridge? He has his own distinct sound and boy can he write catchy tunes. I remember a time when anyone who wrote catchy tunes was compared to Lennon and McCartney. Groups like Squeeze,The Jam, Oasis and XTC have all had to endure the comparisons unjustly. Yes this CD sounds nothing like XTC's early stuFf and I think Andy Partridge with Oranges and Lemons and Nonsuch has created a sound that no one has explored. I have to say in Apple Venus I love how the horns are used in the songs as well as Oranges and Lemons and Nonsuch. They give a tempo that just punctuates the beat of the song constantly moving you forword. Case in point are the songs "River of Orchids" and "Easter Theatre". Songs like "I'd Like That" and "The Dictionary" could have easily been lifted from the Skylarking period. My favorite song is "Greenman" with "The Dictionary". I really like this, how it falls in place with Nonsuch or Oranges and Lemons will only tell as I listen to it more. My only caveat is that I wished they had placed an up tempo song between "Harvest Festival" and "The Last Balloon"or at the end of the Cd because it kind of loses it's energy by CD's end. Thanks for the suggestion people I mean with shipping it cost me under 5.oo in mint condition. Best 5.oo I've spent lately.
brucegel
151 posts
 
Try Andy Partridge and Harold Budds collaboration "THROUGH THE HILL" VERY VERY BEAUTIFUL.
cdelplato
110 posts
 
Have been a big XTC fan since the early days. I'll echo Qdrone's comment that no one writes songs like these guys. In my mind, modern day Beatles. Sheer pop genius. So many great songs on so many albums. Respectable Street, Another Satellite, Dear Madame Barnum, Mayor of Simpleton, Books Are Burning, I'm the Man Who Murdered Love, Peter Pumpkinhead, Dear God, Church of Women, The Disappointed, The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul, Thanks for Christmas...

Tough to single out one favorite album - however, if pressed I'd be down to Nonsuch, Skylarking and English Settlement. Probably in that order.
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