Working with producer Todd Rundgren didn't necessarily bring XTC a sense of sonic cohesion -- after all, every record since English Settlement followed its own interior logic -- but it did help the group sharpen its focus, making Skylarking its tightest record since Drums and Wires. Ironically, Skylarking had little to do with /p>
ew wave and everything to do with the lush, post-psychedelic pop of the Beatles and Beach Boys. Combining the charming pastoral feel of Mummer with the classicist English pop of The Big Express, XTC expand their signature sound by enhancing their intelligently melodic pop with graceful, lyrical arrangements and sweeping, detailed instrumentation. Rundgren may have devised the sequencing, helping the record feel like a song cycle even if it doesn't play like one, but what really impresses is the consistency and depth of Andy Partridge's and Colin Moulding's songs. Each song is a small gem, marrying sweet, catchy melodies to decidedly adult lyrical themes, from celebrations of love ("Grass") and marriage ("Big Day") to skepticism about maturation ("Earn Enough for Us") and religion ("Dear God"). Moulding's songs complement Partridge's songs better than before, and each writer is at a melodic and lyrical peak, which Rundgren helps convey with his supple production. The result is a pop masterpiece -- an album that has great ambitions and fulfills them with ease. [The initial release of Skylarking didn't feature "Dear God," which was originally the B-side of "Grass." After "Dear God" became an unexpected hit, "Mermaid Smile" was pulled from the album so the hit single could be added.]
Earlier today (yes, earlier _still_!) I spent some time driving around LA during "rush hour", and when I wasn't busy nearly killing myself trying to shift gears in a car with automatic transmission (and therefore pushing both the gas pedal and the brake at the same time), there was a lot of time to contemplate some general issues...- I seem to remember hearing that it's considered "taboo" in Am...
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What is more annoying, artists who talk about politics on their records or artists who talk about god? I really can't stand either, but I will have to side with the political statements on this one. Nothing turns me off faster than hearing a band, liking the sound, then finding out they are in the spiritual section of the record store. I am not sure why this is, and I was wondering if people ha...
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Looking for something else, i found these:DC Comics describes this as a "*Power Girl* Mini-Bust".
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sometimes you just do. I know it's not intentional, it's not something that you mean to do.It's your turn of phrase when you comment. It's the quirky things you say. It's your wit, dry and interesting.Thanks for that...
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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...
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Dear God" is a song on XTC's 1986 Album Skylarking, controversial because of its anti-God sentiment which might be interpreted as either dystheism or atheism. In the UK, when the song was originally released as a single many record shops refused to stock the track, fearing a religious backlash.It was not a part of the original Skylarking album, but after DJs across America picked up the song, G...
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What is more annoying, artists who talk about politics on their records or artists who talk about god? I really can't stand either, but I will have to side with the political statements on this one. Nothing turns me off faster than hearing a band, liking the sound, then finding out they are in the spiritual section of the record store. I am not sure why this is, and I was wondering if people ha...
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*Dear God... WOW!* this song takes me waaaaaaaayyyyyy back. _*Regardless of your faith or lack thereof... I can't imagine anyone +NOT+ loving this song.*_h1. but that's me :)Song... *fecking brilliant* - I just wish Partridge would overcome his stagefright... that would be a concert I'd travel *ANYWHERE TO SEE* !!!!
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Hope all is Enjoying there Summer!Busy as hell, hope all is well. Big thanks to Mr. Partridge and the boys for this one.
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**XTC - Dear God**I got struck down with a stomach flu today and my morning started out so promising, I hate summer colds. I'm just going to post a bunch of '80s vids and mp3's tonight and not say much. Enjoy or ignore.
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Earlier today (yes, earlier _still_!) I spent some time driving around LA during "rush hour", and when I wasn't busy nearly killing myself trying to shift gears in a car with automatic transmission (and therefore pushing both the gas pedal and the brake at the same time), there was a lot of time to contemplate some general issues...- I seem to remember hearing that it's considered "taboo" in Am...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Summer's Cauldron |
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| 2 Grass |
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| 3 The Meeting Place |
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| 4 That's Really Super, Supergirl |
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| 5 Ballet For A Rainy Day |
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| 6 1000 Umbrellas |
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| 7 Season Cycle |
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| 8 Earn Enough For Us |
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| 9 Big Day |
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| 10 Another Satellite |
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| 11 Mermaid Smiled |
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| 12 The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul |
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| 13 Dying |
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| 14 Sacrificial Bonfire |
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| 15 Dear God |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Skylarking")
