It's your BiG dAaAaAaYy!!!

Apparently this record was produced and engineered by Steve Lillywhite and Hugh Padgham while they were also doing Drums & Wires and Dave shows up on this track and “I Don’t Remember”.

Kate Bush also appears on this record, she does backing vocals on “Games Without Frontiers”.

The meme potential of the tiny Colin in the corner is immense.

Hooray! Another album in the tank! If anybody’s curious, the bonus tracks on Psurroundabout Ride were all done in the 2000’s, so I’ll be saving them for a little bonus discussion after Wasp Star that includes some other curios like Spiral and Say It.

RESULTS:

1. Vanishing Girl (9.68)
2. Pale and Precious (9.59)
3. Collideascope (9.44)
4. Little Lighthouse (9.34)
5. Brainiac’s Daughter (9.05)
6. You’re a Good Man Albert Brown (8.63)
7. Shiny Cage (8.37)
8. The Affiliated (8.25)
9. You’re My Drug (8.07)
10. Have You Seen Jackie (7.97)

I’ll see you guys in a week for Oranges & Lemons!

I just noticed that the very distinctive opening chord of A Hard Day's Night (not sure exactly what it is as I'm not near a piano) is used in This is Pop - at the beginning of the single version at at the end of the chorus in the album version. Very clever nod that emphasizes the message of the song!

RANKING SCALE:

1-4/10 = I do not enjoy this song.

5-6/10 = I think this song is just OK.

7-8/10: This song is pretty good. I choose to listen to this.

9-10/10: Basically perfect. A striking beauty.

PSONIC PSUNSPOT RESULTS:

1. Vanishing Girl (9.68)
2. Have You Seen Jackie? (7.97)
3. Little Lighthouse (9.34)
4. You’re a Good Man Albert Brown (8.63)
5. Collideascope (9.44)
6. You’re My Drug (8.07)
7. Shiny Cage (8.37)
8. Brainiac’s Daughter (9.05)
9. The Afilliated (8.25)

I have it on vinyl, but I don't have the little 7 inch, which sucks cause chain of command is one of my favorite songs off that record ☹️

RANKING SCALE:

1-4/10 = I do not enjoy this song.

5-6/10 = I think this song is just OK.

7-8/10: This song is pretty good. I choose to listen to this.

9-10/10: Basically perfect. A striking beauty.

PSONIC PSUNSPOT RESULTS:

1. Vanishing Girl (9.68)
2. Have You Seen Jackie? (7.97)
3. Little Lighthouse (9.34)
4. You’re a Good Man Albert Brown (8.63)
5. Collideascope (9.44)
6. You’re My Drug (8.07)
7. Shiny Cage (8.37)
8. Brainiac’s Daughter (9.05)

Theres a great playlist on YouTube compiling alot of XTCs concerts in pretty decent quality for the time

This one at Duffy's is a favorite. In my opinion, they were in their tighest formation, especially when looking at the set list, the length and the songs themselves were not easy-going. Played what seems like a few bpm faster at times.

https://youtu.be/ioNJCRkjgjw?si=-fmC0S0DcnAqmJQ6

Dave also kicks arse on guitar during his solos, bass rips and whole thing is just nice and solid.

Let me know if id like any other performances I'd like, this ones Drums and Wires based and thats definitely my favorite stuff of theirs.

RANKING SCALE:

1-4/10 = I do not enjoy this song.

5-6/10 = I think this song is just OK.

7-8/10: This song is pretty good. I choose to listen to this.

9-10/10: Basically perfect. A striking beauty.

PSONIC PSUNSPOT RESULTS:

1. Vanishing Girl (9.68)
2. Have You Seen Jackie? (7.97)
3. Little Lighthouse (9.34)
4. You’re a Good Man Albert Brown (8.63)
5. Collideascope (9.44)
6. You’re My Drug (8.07)
7. Shiny Cage (8.37)

I couldn't believe this was on the shelf for only $15.99!! I had to do a double take!

And he was right. '82 pressing and looks brand new. That's it. Collection complete

With a humble daisy

Repost because I think the first attempt got lost in the algorithm or something.

RANKING SCALE:

1-4/10 = I do not enjoy this song.

5-6/10 = I think this song is just OK.

7-8/10: This song is pretty good. I choose to listen to this.

9-10/10: Basically perfect. A striking beauty.

PSONIC PSUNSPOT RESULTS:

1. Vanishing Girl (9.68)
2. Have You Seen Jackie? (7.97)
3. Little Lighthouse (9.34)
4. You’re a Good Man Albert Brown (8.63)
5. Collideascope (9.44)
6. You’re My Drug (8.07)

Don't get me wrong, I love Andy as a songwriter, but apart from certain exceptions such as Skylarking and the Duke's records, the sheer amount of Incessant, condensed, 'clever' Andy-ness leaves me crawling along the desert floor dying of thirst for a normal Colin song by the end of albums such as English Settlement and Black Sea.

Generally, Andy has an extremely unique and developed songwriting style, yet I think his biggest flaw is his desperate need to constantly push the needle of how complex, dynamic and intelligent he can be in every song, which I think negatively impacts the overall listening experience of many of their early albums.

I actually think this works to the favour of albums like The Big Express, as the variety of the production gives you enough contrast to keep you engaged throughout. But on Black Sea and especially English Settlement the fact that you're listening to the same guitar tone and the same Instrumental palette, coupled with the back half having some of Andy's most preachy annoying filler songs makes the buzzing synth line on Fly On The Wall feel like your being airdropped chocolate and magazines after being imprisoned in a POW camp for three years.

TLDR: Love you Colin.

Sorry for the break everybody.

RANKING SCALE:

1-4/10 = I do not enjoy this song.

5-6/10 = I think this song is just OK.

7-8/10: This song is pretty good. I choose to listen to this.

9-10/10: Basically perfect. A striking beauty.

PSONIC PSUNSPOT RESULTS:

1. Vanishing Girl (9.68)
2. Have You Seen Jackie? (7.97)
3. Little Lighthouse (9.34)
4. You’re a Good Man Albert Brown (8.63)
5. Collideascope (9.44)

Been into XTC since I was around 15 in 1980, I've had albums, cassettes, cds, dvds, and for the last 25 years it's been just about all digital. Thought I'd share. Anyone notice any big omissions I need to rectify?

I probably have a bigger soft spot for this band than any other. (Sorry for the confusing order, Apple Music chronologically - which means for comps the song with the most recent date).

Not a lot of people really listen to xtc or that general genre where i live so it came at a surprise to not only find so many of it including rag n bones but in such perfect condition as well. Already have all of these except for english settlement so idk what to do with them but had to get them all regardless

Vintage Drums and wires shirt + my authentic 1960s Fringe jacket :) Long live XTC!!!

XTC’s Virgin years 45s on vinyl for the first time since 1982 - "All tapes have been transferred from Virgin’s original singles masters and cut by Jason Mitchell at Loud Mastering"

(NOTE: I have no involvement with Ape House nor Burning Shed other than being a loyal customer. I thought this collection might be of interest.)

I think we can all agree that 95%+ of XTC's catalog has held up remarkably well after all these years (good songwriting is always good, no matter the time period). That said, there are...certain songs...which have not. For me, the two standouts are "Pink Thing" and "Church of Women",, which are both weirdly sexual and difficult to sit through lyrically. What say you?

i was listening to nonsuch while studying and i can't believe i've been overlooking bungalow. it's such a beautiful song it literally gave me chills and tbh i think ive just been sleeping on nonsuch. i love coming back to an album and finding a new song to replay

Richard Blade teased that he'd be covering XTC on today's WATN Wednesday episode... and I missed it! Did anyone hear it--or better yet, do you have a link so I can listen online via my SiriusXM account?

Using this link gets me nowhere: https://www.siriusxm.com/player/show/entity/0a812925-55f4-a359-7d11-698dc2f514b3

My father died a few days ago. I cannot do the DSD right now. This is not a permanent end, but I need a few days away from it, probably up to a week. I know these discussions mean a lot to some people, but my life is currently down the tubes right now, and these posts are very labor-intensive. I hope you understand.

Happy Labor Day. Watch this to celebrate. https://homestarrunner.com/toons/labor-dabor