Published on Nov 14, 2003
Most Americans know XTC — if they know them at all — from
1989’s
Oranges And Lemons, with its one American chart single,
“Mayor Of Simpleton.” Shame, that. XTC is The Great Undiscovered
Pop Band; consistently ahead of their time, they have consistently
delivered intelligent, quirky, and mature pop music that was just a
little too clever for most audiences to get. XTC has also had more
than its share of personal difficulty, ceasing touring because of
lead singer Andy Partridge’s paralyzing stage fright. And then
there’s
Skylarking.
Skylarking may be XTC’s greatest release ever, but it arose
out of difficult circumstances. Producer Todd Rundgren may have
been brilliant, but his relationship with the band was apparently a
little rocky. Partridge and bassist Colin Moulding were still
refining their songwriting, though this was the CD where it
blossomed into pure genius. And yet…damn, this is a good CD.
Rundgren’s production is rich and clear, serving up XTC’s pop sound
with shimmering elegance and clarity. The musicianship is solid,
with Dave Gregory’s keyboard skill taking the featured role; on
songs like “Summer’s Cauldron” and “Ballet For A Rainy Day,” it is
the very core of the sound.
Anyone who was at all paying attention in the ’80s remembers
what passed for a hit off
Skylarking, an acidic and biting expression of Partridge’s
lack of faith in traditional religion called “Dear God.” That’s
only the tip of the iceberg, though;
Skylarking is a romp through clever, precise, and
intelligent songwriting, especially when it turns standard subjects
upside down; songs like “Grass” take mundane subjects about which a
million songs have been written — in this case the sexual
peccadilloes of the young — and turn them into something special,
complete with soaring strings and complex vocal harmonies.
Other songs worth checking out include the excellent vocals of
“The Meeting Place”; the
let’s-take-a-metaphor-to-ridiculous-and-wonderful-extremes “That’s
Really Super, Supergirl”; the Beatlesque “1000 Umbrellas” with its
rich string section; and my favorite by far, the wonderfully Pagan
“Season Cycle.” And then, of course, there’s “Dear God” — which is
still as angry, shocking, and damned good as it was fifteen and
more years ago.
Skylarking is a truly great album from a truly great,
underappreciated band. Do yourself a favor and add it to your
collection today.