Significant longplayers from the past
27 October 2026
Band: XTC
Who: The wayward pop outfit (1976-2005 / 14 albums) from
Swindon England, led by singer-songwriter/guitarist Andy Partridge.
Anniversary Album: SKYLARKING
Their 8th. Released on 27 October 1986,
today 40 years ago.
American legend Todd Rundgren produced it. It’s a loose concept LP
about a nonspecific cycle, such as a day, a year, the seasons, or a life.
The title refers to a type of bird (skylark), as well as the Royal Navy term “skylarking”,
which means “fooling around“. It became one of XTC’s best-known albums and is
often regarded as one of their finest albums.
The album’s lyrical themes include love, marriage, and religion.
The original sleeve design was to depict close-up shots of human pubic regions with flowers fitted into the hairs, female on the front and male on the back. Photo sessions were held, but record shops informed the label that they would not carry the album
with that artwork, and so the idea was discarded.
UNCUT Magazine (UK): “The album that ties up everything great
about Swindon’s finest into one big beautiful package of perfect pop“.
Despite the critical praise, it wasn’t a commercial success, peaking at number 90
in the UK and number 70 in the US, where the single ‘Dear God‘ became a college
radio hit.
SINGLES
ALBUM