Big Al Posted November 17, 2006 Author Report Posted November 17, 2006 "Mummer" is a gorgeous album, but very, very English. Has virtually no connection to the punky XTC. As a listener with a strong affection for English folk it connected with me immediately (though it's far from a folk record). I'm listening to this today for the first time in many years, and I forgot how acoustically lush and pastoral it is. Sure, there's a couple of clunkers on it (I've NEVER gotten all the way through "Human Alchemy" in the 18 years I've owned this CD), but the B-sides more than make up for that. And then there's "Funk Pop a Roll," a close cousin to "Life Begins at the Hop" in the hyper-rocker department! "Wonderland" is such a beautiful song. And the video for it (which can be seen on youtube) is just as dreamy. Speaking of XTC videos which can be seen on youtube, you HAVE to watch "Life Begins at the Hop." Colin does a hysterical apeing of Mick Jagger! Quote
Guy Berger Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 (edited) I dug out Skylarking on a whim after a long period of not listening to it. What an album! I've been listening to it non-stop. With all due respect to Andy Partridge, who wrote some great songs for this album, Colin Moulding might've bested him here. Apparently Colin is no longer interested in writing music. Guy edit. From wikipedia (at least Dave Gregory is back on board. hooray!): The 2005 inclusion on Apple Box of the first new XTC tracks in five years ("Spiral", written by Partridge and "Say It", by Moulding), offered hope that the band might continue. However, in November 2006, Partridge told several interviewers that Moulding no longer had any interest in writing, performing or even listening to music. Partridge has said he would not continue XTC without Moulding, and that therefore he has been forced to regard XTC "in the past tense," with no likelihood of a new project unless Moulding should have a change of heart. (Ironically, Partridge says he and Gregory, their differences now resolved, have tentatively considered working together again.) Edited March 22, 2007 by Guy Quote
zen archer Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 I dug out Skylarking on a whim after a long period of not listening to it. What an album! I've been listening to it non-stop. With all due respect to Andy Partridge, who wrote some great songs for this album, Colin Moulding might've bested him here. Apparently Colin is no longer interested in writing music. Guy Todd is Godd !!!!!!! Quote
J Larsen Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 I was never able to listen to this band because the singer's voice bugged the hell out of me. I remember "superman" being one of my least favorite alt rock songs back in the day. An old friend of mine got himself kicked out of a Catholic boarding school by blasting Dear God in his room one Sunday morning. He was, needless to say, pretty happy about that. Quote
Guy Berger Posted March 23, 2007 Report Posted March 23, 2007 I was never able to listen to this band because the singer's voice bugged the hell out of me. I remember "superman" being one of my least favorite alt rock songs back in the day. You might like Colin Moulding's voice, he sings about 20-30% of their music. I could see how some people would consider Andy Partridge whiny or annoying. Guy Quote
Guy Berger Posted March 28, 2007 Report Posted March 28, 2007 XTC performing "Books Are Burning" live (Andy Partridge is a pretty good guitarist!) music video for "Grass" (amusing, though Dave Gregory isn't featured for some reason) "Peter Pumpkinhead" music video music video for "Senses Working Overtime" Mandy Moore performing "Senses Working Overtime" (not so good) Quote
Eric Posted March 28, 2007 Report Posted March 28, 2007 XTC performing "Books Are Burning" live (Andy Partridge is a pretty good guitarist!) music video for "Grass" (amusing, though Dave Gregory isn't featured for some reason) "Peter Pumpkinhead" music video music video for "Senses Working Overtime" Mandy Moore performing "Senses Working Overtime" (not so good) Great stuff, thanks! Quote
zen archer Posted March 28, 2007 Report Posted March 28, 2007 I just read a recent interview with Partridge , and he is going thru a lot of problems with his hearing and he said that Colin moved and never gave him his number. So it looks like they are done for good . Quote
Matthew Posted March 29, 2007 Report Posted March 29, 2007 (edited) For all you Andy Partridge/XTC freaks out there. His new cd is up for ordering. Monstrance has Andy with Barry Andrews & Martyn Barker, and it should be interesting. From what I understand it's all instrumentals, with a ambient feel to it. All ready ordered my signed copy. Edited March 29, 2007 by Matthew Quote
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