British alt-pop-rock outfit XTC was formed in 1972, named Star Park (until 1974),
than became the Helium Kidz for a year, followed by the band’s famous name XTC.
They fabricated a total of 14 longplayers, including 2 under the moniker ofThe Dukes of Stratosphear before calling it a day in 2006. TUTV picked these 5 amazing album covers.
Band: XTC Who: New pop wave 4-piece from Swindon (UK)
directed by charismatic frontman/songwriter Andy Partridge (now 68 years old).
Active: 1972-2006 Albums: 14
Anniversary LP: ENGLISH SETTLEMENT – fifth album Released: 2 February 1982 – 40 years ago today
AllMusic/Chris Woodstra said: “Despite several terrific tracks, English Settlement
seems more a transitional album than anything else, although the textural sound
of the album is quite remarkable, indicating the direction they would take in their
post-touring incarnation.” Full reviewhere. Score: 4/5.
Band: XTC (Swindon, England) Active: 1976-2005 Album:BLACK SEA – their 4th LP Released: 12 September 1980 – 40 years ago
AllMusic/Chris Woodstra:: “XTC continue on with the big drum sound of Drums and Wires, adding more polish and an even heavier-hitting approach for Black Sea — their arrangements are fuller and they rock harder than ever before. Where Drums and Wires implied social commentary, Black Sea more directly addresses sociopolitical concerns, handling them not strictly in a theoretical sense, but rather showing a human response to the circumstances… ‘Black Sea’ is their most consistent album to date — and although XTC always operated on the fringes, the album is their most commercial-sounding, fitting in perfectly with the new wave of the late ’70s/early ’80s.” Full review here. Score: 4,5/5.
“We’re horribly mundane, aggressively mundane individuals. We’re
the ninjas of the mundane, you might say.” – Andy Partridge
TUTV! says: “Perfect pop rock record!”
Singles:Generals And Majors / Towers Of London /
Sgt. Rock (Is going To Help Me / Respectable Street
40 years ago, on 17 August 1979, British quartet XTC released their third, breakthrough, album DRUMS AND WIRES. It was labelled by many critics as a great new wave LP as it was issued in that musical era. To Turn Up the Volume‘s ears it sounds more like a tremendously creative guitar pop record remarkable for its inventive, clever and masterly songwriting. The LP contained one of their rare, but well-deserved, hit singles with ‘Making Plans For Nigel‘ not written by frontman Andy Partridge, like many of the other songs, but solely
by bassist Colin Moulding (also co-writer with Patridge on a couple of other tracks). The album peaked at #17 in the UK.
