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alongwaltz. · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:24 pm

I've heard and enjoy about six or seven different XTC songs. Unfortunately, every song has been off a different album, so I have no clue where to start.

Do I start at the beginning of the catalogue? Do I start with the critically acclaimed one? Do I start with the best? Am I better off to start with a compilation to get an overall feel?

Help me out here, obnobs.

Diggity Dawg · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:31 pm

I love the "Skylarking" album overall, but there's a pretty good comp called "Upsy Daisy Assortment", too.

no guru · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:41 pm

Where's Mummer?

Donovan · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:42 pm

Drums And Wires is their best album, if you ask me. If you want to start off with a compilation Fossil Fuel is as good as any.

Z · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:38 pm **Posts:** 7979

my introduction to xtc is embarrassing. mandy moore had covered "senses working overtime" on some talk show and i found out who did the original through the cmj board. then the next week, i was at a record store, saw the black sea, liked the cover, and got it. and i was floored. wow. i had no idea. why hadn't i ever listened to them before? i felt that "generals & majors" and "sgt rock" were so well-written and poignant. so that was my stepping stone into them, but now they've got a nice space in my collection. i'm not sure their other albums would've led me to become such a fan.

no guru · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:51 pm

Z Wrote:

my introduction to xtc is embarrassing. mandy moore had covered "senses working overtime" on some talk show and i found out who did the original through the cmj board. then the next week, i was at a record store, saw the black sea, liked the cover, and got it. and i was floored. wow. i had no idea. why hadn't i ever listened to them before? i felt that "generals & majors" and "sgt rock" were so well-written and poignant. so that was my stepping stone into them, but now they've got a nice space in my collection. i'm not sure their other albums would've led me to become such a fan.

That's actually awesome. Well done.

shmoo · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:01 pm

I think I would recommend Upsy Daisy Assortment over the other compilation, if you're going the comp route.

south pacific · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:32 pm

A third vote for The Upsy Daisy Assortment.

Kit · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:47 pm **Posts:** 3052

All I have is Upsy Daisy Assortment. My fav track from that is "Generals and Majors."

HideousLump · **Posted:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:54 am

If you wanna leap directly into albums instead of comps, the best albums are:

- Drums and Wires (herky jerky quirky fun)
- Black Sea (totally rockin' and melodic as hell)
- English Settlement (they begin their transition to studio band and discover the acoustic guitar)
- Skylarking (pastoral and mature, my personal fave)

Each XTC album has its own personality, yet still manages to be very eclectic.

DrJimmy · **Joined:** Wed Nov 24, 2004 2:49 pm **Posts:** 34

Skylarking is genius

DesignShed · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 4:06 am **Posts:** 8

English Settlement is very accessable. Ditto Black Sea. Both with scratch your Police itch (if ya got one).

I like the writing on Big Express. I think those songs on there are killer accross the board, but the early 80s Linn drums sound like crap. Probably my personal favorite, though I also dig the highly psychedelic and Beach Boys/Beatles-esque Oranges and Lemons too.

Mummer, Skylarking and Apple Venus are more acoustic, pastoral. Beautiful records.

Hell, buy 'em all!

XTC

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