Hold me my disc caddy...
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Tweets from Andy P. re: Oranges and Lemons
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Jim the Oldbie
My right elbow hurts.
Awhile ago, I decided I wouldn't listen to this album again until I could hear it in 5.1. I didn't realize it was going to be this difficult! Dunno if I'm going to make it. Then again, I'm always saying what I'm gonna do...
Plan9
800 Club - QQ All-Star
The Blu-Ray is definitely stuffed full I'm told...
Yes, while I will be getting this - I am amazing at the love for XTC and or this album. The band was a non issue in central IL. Heck, I'd never really heard of them till I joined this forum....
So, let me ask - what gives about this band? Did all you guys really love them...have their LP's and or CD's...play them all the time? I'd love to understand...
This post is not suggesting anything about the band...I'm truly clueless....
So, let me ask - what gives about this band? Did all you guys really love them...have their LP's and or CD's...play them all the time? I'd love to understand...
This post is not suggesting anything about the band...I'm truly clueless....
My first introduction to XTC was the post on here a few years back about Steven Wilson remixing "Nonsuch", and before that I'm pretty sure I had never heard of the band, let alone hear any of their music. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that they were never really a mainstream success at all here in America so chances are you had to know someone who was a fan of their music in order to discover them yourself.
Once I had heard of the "Nonsuch" remix news, I went and streamed the album, though it took me many months of listening before I actually began to love it, and there's been that steep learning curve for almost every XTC album I've listened to since then of everything of theirs from "Drums & Wires" to "Nonsuch" as they are all so incredibly different from one another.
And THAT is what intrigues me so much about their catalogue. They were a 'progressive' band in that they didn't rely on the same sound or formula for every album but constantly pushed themselves to innovate and create something truly unique unto themselves.
This album in particular ("Oranges & Lemons") is not quite as strong as "Nonsuch" IMO, but it's got some amazing melodic songs on it, especially all of Colin Moulding's compositions and the closing tracks on the album ("Miniature Sun" and "Chalkhills & Children")
Basically we're getting 15 miniature pop symphonies (an ode to Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, whose influence is readily apparent in much of XTC's music) remixed into surround sound in a way that makes them shine through like they were always meant to.
This entire series is giving XTC their long-awaited due, and that's why I'm excited about any and all future reissues in this 'Surround Sound Series'
As an English teenager in the late seventies/early eighties I was aware of their singles, but didn't really delve into their albums as they weren't rock or prog enough for me then. Later on I started discovering their albums, firstly Skylarking (which I have to admit I got because of the Todd Rundgren production) then Oranges and Lemons, which I loved.
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blue.monk
1K Club - QQ Shooting Star
I first heard Black Sea in 1981. My roommate was from England and had it on cassette. I was instantly hooked. I quickly bought up their whole catalogue (4 LPs and various 45s and EPs at that point) and was first in line for every release since. Yep, I would consider them one of my top 10 favorite acts. Most heartbreaking moment - Spring 1982: I had a ticket for their Boston show when it was announced after a few west coast dates that the tour was cancelled. Of course they were never to tour again due to Andy Partridge's much publicized performance anxiety.
I'm thrilled to have any and all XTC in surround but would be over the moon if the multis for my 2 faves, Black Sea and English Settlement, could be found.
OK, cool. Thanks all for the stories/answers. I think I probably need to sit down and listen to them...I mean..really listen. Which I've not done. I've had Nonsuch for quite some time and have only listened to parts of it and it now collects dust. I think this is what happens when you have SO many discs...
My very first exposure was Senses Working Overtime video on MTV in 1983. Then Sgt Rock and a few other popular tracks. Then Dear God and Skylarking floored me. Dukes of Stratosphere, bought all as domestic CD issues with bonus tracks appeared.
Oranges and Lemons was my working overtime Saturday mornings treat in 1989 on my Sony D5 portable with MDRV6 headphones. Bought every XTC CD single promo or otherwise, Rag & Bone Buffet, etc.
Oranges & Lemons in surround is a dream come true.
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Oranges and Lemons was my working overtime Saturday mornings treat in 1989 on my Sony D5 portable with MDRV6 headphones. Bought every XTC CD single promo or otherwise, Rag & Bone Buffet, etc.
Oranges & Lemons in surround is a dream come true.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Senses Working Overtime, The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead amd The Disappointed were regurarly played on th radio growing up. I never owned any album until,the surround series was announced.
I was surprised about the song writing quality on Nonsuch the album. It is an excellent album. So blow of the dust Gene, and give it a second change
I was surprised about the song writing quality on Nonsuch the album. It is an excellent album. So blow of the dust Gene, and give it a second change
It blew me away! The 5.1 Nonsuch release was my introduction to XTC. When I heard those songs I could not believe my ears. Pop songs with incredible depth and sophistication. Perfect lyrics, perfect melodies. Beautiful instrumentation. Just listen and be amazed. These guys deliver something truly original.
Great summary Wavelenght.
AFAIK, they have found most of the tapes for "English Settlement", but the few they are missing are some of the bigger songs off that album…
Hopefully, "Black Sea" will be the next set of tapes they find after the release of O&L!
(If not, then "Mummer" or "The Big Express" next please. BTW "Mummer" is apparently SW's favorite XTC album, so I can't wait to hear how he eventually remixes that one!)
blue.monk
1K Club - QQ Shooting Star
AFAIK, they have found most of the tapes for "English Settlement", but the few they are missing are some of the bigger songs off that album…
Hopefully, "Black Sea" will be the next set of tapes they find after the release of O&L!
(If not, then "Mummer" or "The Big Express" next please. BTW "Mummer" is apparently SW's favorite XTC album, so I can't wait to hear how he eventually remixes that one!)
I think Mummer is brilliant and was always puzzled by its reputation as a lesser XTC LP. Baffling. Glad to hear SW is a fan!
BTW It's a joy to see XTC's prestige and popularity continue to grow over the years. Back in the day it was so frustrating the lack of attention they received. But they called their own tune and didn't fit the usual industry molds. And, ultimately, that certainly was for the best.
I remembered seeing "Senses Working Overtime" on MTV when it was new. I thought it was a cool tune but didn't immediately investigate any further. Then in 1986 a friend with very similar taste in music was raving to me about this new album that Rundgren had produced. Given that my friend almost never steered me wrong as well as my love for all things Todd, I decided to give Skylarking a chance. I was floored. I had been playing Gabriel's So to death all summer. This was the album that made So take a back seat. It was smart pop, which was in short supply at the time (and still is.) Partridge's level of song craftsmanship was insane. Even though it sounded like simple pop, these were no basic three-chord rock songs. (You could have a meltdown sitting down with your guitar or piano trying to figure out the chords!) After fully digesting the album I started to investigate the back catalog. Was so excited to find that every album was different and had its own identity but at the heart of it all was the same level of songwriting. It wasn't long before I considered them to be one of my all-time favorite bands. Theirs is an incredibly consistent body of work. SW's remixes are giving them new life. It has been a joy rediscovering the music in 5.1.
Jim the Oldbie
My right elbow hurts.
Can't add much to what's already been said, but (when has that ever stopped me!):
It's been awhile, but I think the "Dear God" video is what piqued my interest at first. (Love it or hate it, it sure wasn't the same old same old!) Since I too was always a huge Todd fan, I immediately picked up Skylarking as soon as I found out he produced it, and liked it so much I went right back through the catalog, and forward ever since.
For me, XTC is the best of both worlds. On one hand you have your "audiophile darling" records that sound nice but are the musical equivalent of cold oatmeal. (I won't name names, heh.) Then you have your Freaking Brilliant music that is so good you don't mind listening "through" the disappointing production. (Sadly, I have to put some of Todd's albums in this category.) XTC is Freaking Brilliant Music, defined - "This is Pop, yer damn right it is!!" - and sounds wonderful to boot. And of course XTC + Steve Wilson just makes this planet a totally less crappy place to hang out on, period. (Good thing too, since I seem to have misplaced my towel.)
-- Jim
P.S. So Gos, are ya sorry you asked yet?
It's been awhile, but I think the "Dear God" video is what piqued my interest at first. (Love it or hate it, it sure wasn't the same old same old!) Since I too was always a huge Todd fan, I immediately picked up Skylarking as soon as I found out he produced it, and liked it so much I went right back through the catalog, and forward ever since.
For me, XTC is the best of both worlds. On one hand you have your "audiophile darling" records that sound nice but are the musical equivalent of cold oatmeal. (I won't name names, heh.) Then you have your Freaking Brilliant music that is so good you don't mind listening "through" the disappointing production. (Sadly, I have to put some of Todd's albums in this category.) XTC is Freaking Brilliant Music, defined - "This is Pop, yer damn right it is!!" - and sounds wonderful to boot. And of course XTC + Steve Wilson just makes this planet a totally less crappy place to hang out on, period. (Good thing too, since I seem to have misplaced my towel.)
-- Jim
P.S. So Gos, are ya sorry you asked yet?
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Can't add much to what's already been said, but (when has that ever stopped me!):
It's been awhile, but I think the "Dear God" video is what piqued my interest at first. (Love it or hate it, it sure wasn't the same old same old!) Since I too was always a huge Todd fan, I immediately picked up Skylarking as soon as I found out he produced it, and liked it so much I went right back through the catalog, and forward ever since.
For me, XTC is the best of both worlds. On one hand you have your "audiophile darling" records that sound nice but are the musical equivalent of cold oatmeal. (I won't name names, heh.) Then you have your Freaking Brilliant music that is so good you don't mind listening "through" the disappointing production. (Sadly, I have to put some of Todd's albums in this category.) XTC is Freaking Brilliant Music defined - "This is Pop, yer damn right it is!!" - and sounds wonderful to boot. And of course XTC + Steve Wilson just makes this planet a totally less crappy place to hang out on, period. (Good thing too, since I seem to have misplaced my towel.)
-- Jim
P.S. So Gos, are ya sorry you asked yet?
No, I am pleased everyone has chimed in...that's what I was looking for...
OK, cool. Thanks all for the stories/answers. I think I probably need to sit down and listen to them...I mean..really listen. Which I've not done. I've had Nonsuch for quite some time and have only listened to parts of it and it now collects dust. I think this is what happens when you have SO many discs...
Don't feel bad about putting Nonsuch aside and hopefully it will sink in for you at some time. I had XTC on my radar right from the start and my favorite period is from 1980-1986(Black Sea,ES,Mummer,TheBigExpress,Skylarking). The other albums are all good as well but to me this is the golden period for XTC.
Even though being a fan of XTC when Oranges and Lemons and Nonsuch came out I didnt give them to many spins and they collected dust as partially I think it was due to having young kids come into our lives and I didn't have as much time to listen to music and another reason was the older XTC albums sounded better to me. Now getting to revisit these albums in 5.1 is fantastic as get to hear them better than before and I got a new appreciation for Nonsuch and hope same will happen with Oranges and Lemons.
peter
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