Swindon's finest (XTC in general)

Name: grahamt

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Product:	XTC in general
Date:	13/12/00 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Catchy tunes

Disadvantages: Rarely heard these days

I must admit I've rather lost track of XTC recently. In fact, you could be forgiven for being surprised that they are still around. Certainly, they get little airplay and never tour, reasons later.

XTC were formed in 1977, at the height of Punk by Andy Partridge, guitar, prime songwriter, lead singer and actually born in Malta; Colin Moulding, bass guitar; Barry Andrews, keyboards; Terry Chambers, drums. They were nevertheless a unashamedly Pop band.

They came to my attention in 1979 with their still often heard classic, "Making plans for Nigel", from their album, "Drums and Wires". I liked their sound very much.

They also had hits with "Generals and Majors" from their their 1980 albums "Black Sea" and "King for a day". "Black Sea" and their 1982 album, "English Settlement", probably still their most famous works, were added to my collection.

From that time onwards their mass appeal started to fade. This, possibly, had much to do with their decision not to tour, as a result of Andy's severe stage-fright.

They continued as a studio band to the current day and to date have produced 12 albums although the lineup has changed somewhat since the early days.

I still have a soft spot for XTC but my preference is still more for their early works rather than the recent stuff.

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