XTC - English Settlement (35th anniversary)

Today (February 12th) marks the 35th anniversary of the release of XTC’s fifth studio album English Settlement. The 1982 release spent twenty weeks on the US Billboard Album chart where it peaked at number 48.

For my complete album review, click here.

XTC - Mummer

Today (August 30th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Mummer, the sixth studio album from the UK rock band XTC. It was originally scheduled for a May 26th release in 1983 but was delayed because the label thought it was too acoustic and out-there for the American market; it was held off in the US until February of 1984. This one charted at number 145 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart, number 51 in the UK and number 28 in Sweden.

The line-up for this one was Andy Partridge (vocals and guitars), Colin Moulding (vocals and bass) and Dave Gregory (vocals, guitar and keyboards). Drummer Terry Chambers quit the band during the recording sessions; he only played on two of the original vinyl tracks. Peter Phipps was brought in to record most of the tracks. Additional musicians Nigel Warren-Green, Steve Nye and Gavin Wright also appeared on the album.

XTC - English Settlement

Today (February 12th) marks the 30th anniversary of the release of XTC’s fifth studio album English Settlement. The 1982 release went to number 5 on their native UK album charts; in the US it reached number 48 on the Billboard Album chart.

The original UK album was a double-disk set with fifteen tracks total. The initial US vinyl release was a single disk containing ten songs and the world-wide release had a similar configuration (with the eighth track being different between the two). For this album review I will cover the US release.

XTC - Skylarking

For their eighth studio album Skylarking, the English band XTC brought in producer Todd Rundgren. This 1986 album features tracks that are influenced by earlier bands like the Beatles and the Electric Light Orchestra (those are the sounds I picked up from them). The record reached number 70 on the US album charts and number 90 on the UK album charts.

While I am familiar with the group through a few of their earlier songs, most of this album is relatively new to me. It does appear on the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list, so I thought I would give it a spin. This will be another one of my first-listening-impressions reviews.