XTC

Though I still haven't really figured out the benefits of Facebook, its ability to connect you to old friends is kinda neat.  Way back in the day somewhere in one of the more backwoods of Penns Woods there was a place where the only radio to speak of played a steady rotation of what is now called classic rock.  No funk, no disco, no punk, no new wave, all Lyrnd all the time.  And while we tried to figure out our lives, a friend of mine loaned me some albums his brother eit... MORE

Procrastinating this afternoon before I get cracking on my thesis project, I was stumbling through my Tunes and found the Tricky cover of XTC's Dear God, a song released as a bonus track on 1986's groundbreaking album Skylarking and as a controversial single. The song, a dystheistic attack on the creator himself, herself, itself, or themselves, depending upon how some of you might feel about it, is a snapshot of XTC's devastating touch with a pop song . . . you may... MORE

From 1978 to 1980, Andy Partridge of XTC took the tapes from their latest "Drums and Wires" recording back to the studio and used them as his own personal dub source. The results? "Explode Together"s compilation of those dub experiments. Fans of the typical guitar driven posh pop XTC sounds ought be careful here. This set really strips the sound down and builds brand new layers of rhythm from the remnants. Yet, putting the traditional aside, there is much to sink your ears... MORE

Yeah...me neither. But that won't stop me from posting about her. See, one of the things I love about Mog is the inspiration I get from the people here. I find myself inspired about music, politics, movies, humor and family life. This is a post inspired by I Am. As one of my top 10 moggers, I Am inspires me all the time...and today he posted about his beautiful girl Lindsay. And no, he is not biased...the girl is beautiful. As soon as I saw those pictures and r... MORE

I've been out of the loop (if I, in fact, have ever been in it), so I'm doing a bit of catching up... promised Annie some delicious XTC demos... Here's a couple that are top notch... "This Is The End" was a demo from the "Oranges & Lemons" era... (I'm pretty sure it was created long before ...maybe the Skylarking sessions)... I spoke to (singer/songwriter) Andy Partridge about this song and he was going to use it as the closer to the album, but they decided "Chalkhills and... MORE

But no matter what the weather, you and the clouds will still be beautiful.

From a band that's produced more than its share of amazing moments, this song shines with its elegant simplicity. It can take the edge off the most stressful day. I usually turn off the sound when it ends so as not to disrupt the state in which it's taken me.

He should be remembered more than one day every year... ...and he spoke to more issues than just racial equality... truly one of the greatest Americans ever... musical note: enjoy the XTC... little heard home demo of a great song... I don't know why this didn't make a proper album... that's how excellent this band is... their non lp stuff is better than most bands' greatest hits... secondary musical note: I'm not one to beg or plead, but if you missed my last two po... MORE

There is something about this version of Life Begins at the Hop. It starts off with an extended version of the unmistakable simple yet irresistible riff. All you have to do is listen to the addictive melodies of Life Begins at the Hop and y'll discover the magical ingrediants to XTC eclectic success. They mixed the power of punk with their love of pop music's song writing sensibilities. My favorite part in this version recorded at the BBC is right near the end of L... MORE

 

Staying with XTC, if you really want to get a feel for what a dynamic live/studio in session this band is you must pick up the Transistor Blast box set. I adore the first two discs of BBC recordings. No Thugs in our House is another punky/pop classic. I especially love this version, listen for Andy Partridge sniffle at 4:21. He makes the little things like a sniffle sound so freaking cool. I also dig his growling howl he yells out throughout this BBC version. If y... MORE

I borrowed some XTC albums from a guy at work. I felt obligated to share. I would have liked to have seen them live but I missed out. I heard from a reliable source that when they did play live they were incredible. Is there anyone out there in Mogland who has seen XTC in concert?

It is definitely a complicated game. What a great song!

Johnny Ramone once observed that there are extremely few rock bands or artists whose periods of true inspiration (if they're blessed with any in the first place) exceed five years - so few that it essentially constitutes a rule (he called it the "Five Year Rule," in fact). I personally suspect it might be that a given listener's tastes will permit a rock act to develop only so far, which is why, for example, some Beatles fans consider their first five years the period of ... MORE