XTC Recommendations

The Mayor of Simpleton · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:24 pm

DumpJack Wrote:

I think I need to hear this band and need some advice on where to start. The only song I've ever heard is 'Dear God' which is all right, but not really my cup of tea, so I've never sought them out to hear more. Then I started to really enjoy Dogs Die in Hot Cars, one of the those Brit bands that ostensibly sounds exactly like XTC. So, if I love this band that's ripping off XTC's sound can someone point me in the right direction to hear the original sound.

Love XTC - obviously, given my name. And I love DDiHC, they really nail the early 80s sound of XTC. Based on what you say, I highly recommend Black Sea and English Settlement, and to a lesser extent, Mummer. However, don't dismiss anything of theirs just because of "Dear God" (which I love, by the way.) These guys are pop geniuses, and Partridge writes some amazing lyrics.

jewels santana · **Joined:** Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:36 pm **Posts:** 10198

"dear god" is the only song i've ever liked by the band.
and i guess "making plans for nigel" but only because of the Primus version.

cybin · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:18 pm

It seems that more of you folks need to hear "Senses Working Overtime."

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:25 pm

cybin Wrote:

It seems that more of you folks need to hear "Senses Working Overtime."

That's the one that snared me. But yeah, Albion's XTC Mix cd is chock-full of gold. I Resign As Clown, No Thugs In Our House, etc. Candy.

Radcliffe · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:01 pm

You can't go wrong with XTC. Even a less respected album like The Big Express contains a perfect gem like "This World Over".

I'm a big fan of White Music. "This Is Pop", "Statue of Liberty", and "Radios In Motion" are three of the best songs they ever created. Plus their totally spazzy version of "All Along The Watchtower" always hits the spot. And the expanded reissue includes non-album singles like "Heat Wave" and "Science Friction".

PopTodd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:10 pm

Cap'n Squirrgle Wrote:

cybin Wrote:

It seems that more of you folks need to hear "Senses Working Overtime."

That's the one that snared me. But yeah, Albion's XTC Mix cd is chock-full of gold. I Resign As Clown, No Thugs In Our House, etc. Candy.

"Burning With Optimism's Flames"

mcaputo · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:13 pm

Radcliffe Wrote:

The Big Express contains a perfect gem like "This World Over"

Good choice and a great song. This was the Terry Chamber-less record and as a result the drumming suffered a bit. You just can't replace a drummer like him with a Linn-drum machine. I've always been a bit partial to 'Liarbird'...Andy's scathing rant about their ex-manager.

DumpJack · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:51 pm

Radcliffe Wrote:

You can't go wrong with XTC.

This is very true. These two albums (Black Sea and English Settlement) are just ridiculously good, I actually can't believe I had to hear a '04 Brit band that sort of sounds like XTC to make me hear the real thing. Better late than never, I suppose. This is a gift, I actually get to wade through and hear their whole catalogue now.

Flying Rabbit · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:30 pm

this is kinda of funny that this was brought up. I bought new for $3 yesterday "Oranges and Lemons". I like XTC. I've tried to turn a few people onto them I thought would enjoy them, but alas no one's been inspired by them to go out and buy or even enjoy them.

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

Radcliffe Wrote:

I'm a big fan of White Music. "This Is Pop", "Statue of Liberty", and "Radios In Motion" are three of the best songs they ever created. Plus their totally spazzy version of "All Along The Watchtower" always hits the spot. And the expanded reissue includes non-album singles like "Heat Wave" and "Science Friction".

Its definitely a contender.

My three favorite XTC songs in no particular order are "Statue of Liberty", "Life Begins at the Hop" & "Love on A Farmboy's Wages". All on different albums. The catalogue is DEEP.

Psychlone · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:56 pm

There's a double disc best of called "Fossil Fuel" that's a great primer for the band's sound.

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

Psychlone Wrote:

There's a double disc best of called "Fossil Fuel" that's a great primer for the band's sound.

There's also a phenomenal comp 1978-85, woefully out of print, that is up there with Hot Rocks, Decade and Kink Kronikles as one of the best eva single band comps.

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