Nonsuch

by

XTC

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A whopping 17 songs on this effort, which would be XTC's last album for many years. It's a mature, well rounded work that combines the lush, orchestrated pop of "Skylarking" with the bright, bubblegum psychedelia of "Oranges & Lemons". Thus, more Beatlesque bliss for XTC.

Both Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding wear their influences on their sleeves big time; Lennon, McCartney, Wilson, Davies, even Burt Bacharach.

"Then She Appeared" is a major standout with spot-on Beach Boys-like harmonies, shimmering guitar lines, and all the like. A sunny, upbeat pop masterpiece. And it wasn't even released as a single!

Also pop perfect is "The Disappointed" which sounds like XTC doing Tears for Fears doing The Beatles. This album showcases a band who can obviously write beautiful hooks and melodies in their sleep at this point.

Partridge is also a great storyteller; witness "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead", a more guitar driven pop/rocker. Is it about JFK? Jesus? An actual pumpkin? Total lyrical mastery. The wonderful "Holly Up On Poppy" musically combines brooding psychedelia with bouncy pop in yet another wonderful song. Also worth noting is "Dear Madam Barnum", another guitar-driven pop number with great lyrics. Who writes lyrics this clever anymore? He really is one of the most gifted songwriters of all time..his wit even puts some of his idols to shame at time.

Partridge reaches a new level of sophistication on songs like "Rook" and "Wrapped in Grey". The former is a cryptic, downbeat piano-led poem (of sorts) which Partridge said reduced him to tears when he wrote it (as it just came out of nowhere). The latter showcases that Bacharach influence I eluded to before (as well as a heavy dose of Brian Wilson); like "Rook", it's also a piano/string section led chamber pop number. This one alternates from somber verses to a cheery, celebratory chorus. Both are among Partridge's best compositions.

Colin Moulding also turns in his most musically mature composition to date with "Bungalow"; The song travels from a cheesy organ-laden intro to rich, lush piano passages. It sounds like some long lost Tin Pan Alley classic.

Mouldings other tunes are also very good. "Smartest Monkeys" travels down a cliched lyrical path, but the music is strong and catchy. And Dave Gregory turns in an awesome solo (which sounds like a processed guitar, but is actually a synth I believe). "My Bird Performs" is sublime, and features some nice trumpet work.

Other album highlights include the lush, psychedelic "Humble Daisy" (think Lennon meets Brian Wilson), the tense "That Wave", the celebratory "Omnibus" (which sounds like something out of a musical), and the closer "Books Are Burning", a mid-tempo masterpiece which makes a common chord progression sound fresh.

XTC are so good at making sophisticated, smart pop music that it's depressing. Why? Because I can't find many other bands who can equal them. It's a shame that very few people have even heard of them.

There are 3 songs on this album that I ever listen to anymore: "Peter Pumpkinhead," "Dear Madame Barnum," and "My Bird Perfroms." The rest of the songs leave me cold. Lyrically, I found the album heavyhanded and preachy, even in "Peter Pumpkinhead," which is saved by the fact that it rocks a little bit. I read in an interview one of the members saying that he was most proud of "The Smartest Monkeys" because it was one of the "most subtle" songs to date. I just laughed and laughed. "Smartest Monkeys" is the most heavy handed sermon I've heard in a long while.

If your favorite XTC songs are along the lines of "Senses Working Overtime," "Earn Enough For Us," or "Mayor of Simpleton," then you'll be disappointed. If you really enjoy nodding your head and saying "yes!" as XTC points out that there is greed and suffering in the world because of all those OTHER people, then you'll think this is a fine CD.