| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Runaways | XTC | 4:34 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Ball and Chain | XTC | 4:32 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Senses Working Overtime | XTC | 4:50 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Jason and the Argonauts | XTC | 6:07 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
No Thugs in Our House | XTC | 5:10 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Yacht Dance | XTC | 3:56 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
All of a Sudden (It's Too Late) | XTC | 5:21 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Melt the Guns | XTC | 6:34 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Leisure | XTC | 5:02 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Its Nearly Africa | XTC | 3:55 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
Knuckle Down | XTC | 4:28 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
Fly On the Wall | XTC | 3:19 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
13 |
Down in the Cockpit | XTC | 5:27 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
14 |
English Roundabout | XTC | 3:59 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
15 |
Snowman | XTC | 5:03 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 15 Songs |
Album Review
Andy Partridge's discovery of the 12-string guitar set the tone for English Settlement, an album that moved away from the pop gloss of Black Sea in favor of lighter, though still rhythmically heavy, acoustic numbers with more complex and intricate instrumentation. There are plenty of pop gems — "Senses Working Overtime" stands as one of their finest songs — but the main focus seems to be the more expansive sound; most of the songs are drawn out to near-epic length, ultimately taking some of the impact of the songs away. 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.
Customer Reviews
At Their Peak!
Drums and Wires will always be my favourite, but English Settlement is simply their best work. Still so original and beautifully produced, a definite desert island disc.
Best Album I Know
English Settlement is XTC's finest collection of songs. It remains my favourite work by this band, and I could argue that it is also my favourite overall (an obviously difficult determination, especially when one has diverse tastes). The songs excel when taken individually, and, perhaps more significantly, sit next to each other to form an album. Whether or not this cohesiveness was intended by its authors (probably not) the effect of one song after another on English Settlement remains to me a profound listening experience, made more notable as this work is over 25 years old. The last thing I'd note that makes this collection stand out among XTC's generous catalog is that Partridge and Moulding really blend together here like on no other album. One can tell on only a few listens that the songwriters and band were happy, relatively, given the heaping of misfortune and mismanagement this still-young band had already famously endured. There is a clearly audible sense of time and place captured here, something not easy to do. It was recorded at Virgin's own Manor studios deep in the English heartland, and this beautiful setting, wrought perfectly by producer Hugh Padgham into song. If one looks into the matter, all 4 members (@ that time) describe the songs as especially good, the setting and vibe of the studio perfect, and all their music-making drive and mood as good as it had ever been thus far. My persistent question is: Given this strongly positive experience (and result) why XTC didn't have at it again with those same or similar settings (Padgham, Manor, etc). Their first album was recorded in part there, so it wasn't new to them, and since their label owned the whole studio outright, expense was likely not a concern. If you read about their next most beautiful work, and similarly pastoral work, Skylarking, you get an ENTIRELY different feeling and vibe: the boys (down to 3) did not seem @ all happy being held prisoner at Todd Rundgren's (the producer) studio/home complex in rural New York. The result was great, but they sure sounded pretty miserable. Likely a combination of a bad time for the band, having stopped touring altogether (a decision regretted by all but 1 member - Partridge), lack of material success despite Herculean efforts, and feeling bossed around and put upon by Mr Rundgren. Anyway, English Settlement is XTC's best album, and one of the most sonically perfect (maybe with the exception of Snowman, the final track, that still seems very out of place after 14 beautiful, summery, aqueous songs). Enjoy.
Top 5 Desert Island Album
This album is my favorite, by far their best in my view. Every song is fantastic.
Biography
Formed: 1976 in Wiltshire, England
Genre: Rock
Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s
Top Albums and Songs By XTC
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Dear God | Skylarking | 3:39 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Senses Working Overtime | English Settlement | 4:50 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Mayor of Simpleton | Oranges and Lemons | 3:58 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Making Plans for Nigel | Drums and Wires | 4:13 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead | Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles Collection (1977-1992) | 5:03 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Senses Working Overtime | Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles Collection (1977-1992) | 4:34 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
King for a Day | Oranges and Lemons | 3:37 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Dear God | Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles Collection (1977-1992) | 3:37 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Generals and Majors | Black Sea | 4:04 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Mayor of Simpleton | Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles Collection (1977-1992) | 3:57 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
- $9.99
- Genres: Rock, Music, Adult Alternative, Alternative, New Wave, Pop, Pop/Rock, College Rock
- Released: Feb 12, 1982
- ℗ Digital Remaster 2001 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Virgin Records Ltd
