After watching "This Is Pop," the Showtime documentary on XTC for a third time, I started jonesin' for new music. And with the second volume of Andy Partridge's "Failed Songwriting Career" EPs still a month away, I opted for listening to some deep cuts to hold me over. I considered a full Weekend Mix, but thought it might be more fun to post one song a day.
And so here we are.
I realize my deep cuts might not be your deep cuts, and I am also aware that my favorite XTC records might not be your favorite XTC records. As much as I love "Drums & Wires," "English Settlement," and "Mummer," I still mostly reach for everything from "Skylarking" on. I prefer the last five (seven, if you count the Dukes) over the first five.
Anyway, blah blah blah blah blah.......
TRACKLIST
New Town Animal In A Furnished Cage
Beating Of Hearts
Ten Feet Tall
Was A Yes
Melt The Guns
Humble Daisy
Church Of Women
15 comments:
For some reason I can't find this Doc. I subscribe to Showtime, but it's not showing up on cable or the streaming app. Bummer
Keith,
It premiered a couple of years ago. I had DVRd it. But I am surprised it isn't on Demand somewhere.
Very nice start to the day!
Thanks Sal
thank you. please give us your thoughts on mark lanegan (sic)
when you can...
Michael,
I am sorry but I don't have strong feelings either way about Mark Lanegan. Can't say I followed his career too closely. I did see The Gutter Twins in concert, and I do like some Screaming Trees material. But I paid more attention to the others--Alice In Chains, Soundgardem and Pearl Jam. Sad news, regardless.
Excellent - looking forward to this mix.
"Melt The Guns", huh? I'm as big an XTC fan as you'll find, but that's always been the one track that brings down English Settlement for me. Interesting choices for the rest of the week, for sure.
Re: Melt The Guns
I had been playing "English Settlement" in the shop many moons ago. It was busy at the counter, three of us helping three different customers, a few waiting to check out. (The good old days!) "Melt The Guns" came on and about a minute or so into it, a customer said, "Man, this band is really clever." And both me and a co-worker said in unison, "I love this track!" Maybe because when I hear it, I always think "clever" and that moment in time makes me love it as much as I do. Just a brilliant and "clever" arrangement to my ears.
Oh, and if you aren't getting enough XTC flashback -- the Hoffman forums have a song-by-song thread for XTC going on now. We are just finishing up discussing the post "Drums and Wires" b-sides before moving on to "Black Sea". It's been very interesting.
excellent doc...and wonderful song choices.
I'm only missing Go 2 to complete having the full XTC (official studio albums) catalog on CD. I don't know all of the albums top-to-bottom yet, as acquiring them has been a recent pursuit of mine (as is King Crimson). Black Sea is currently my favorite, but that could change as I further immerse myself in the catalog. I've been fortunate to have found many of the later albums in cutout/discount sections (along with the Dukes twofer). Thanks for the playlist, Sal. I need to find that documentary to watch, too.
So many people I know, friends, some old customers, love "Black Sea," and a few think it's the band's best. I have never warmed up to it as a whole, though there are a few of my favorite tracks mixed in there. Might have to revisit yet again. "New" XTC music!
I found the documentary on some blog probably Twilight Zone. I have Showtime & watched when debuted & assumed I could rewatch but maybe not but I can now :) xtc for sure top 10 catalogues in the rock era. been binging a bit on tube with live XTC which there is a lot more than I thought
existed.
Dave Gregory's album Remoulds 1 very enjoyable release.
Great doc. Great selection.
Interesting choices. They're all oranges and lemons to me -- tasty, juicy fruits I mean! Many thanks for the zip. Cheers!
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