XTC one more time

jammun wrote: Can we revisit this band?  They have impeccable prog-someting credentials. I realize the early output is some sort of 80's power pop (hey, that's what it was), but beginning with English Settlement they started moving into a more prog direction, with regard to songwriting  and general sound (give a listen to Jason and the Argonauts or English Roundabout).  By the time we get to Skylarking and The Big Express it's as prog as it gets. Skylarking:  concept album, running through the seasons.  Rhythmically not very challenging, but those chord changes are quite sophisticated.  Nice use of 'noisy' little segues between the songs, not to mention Beatle-esque melodies. The Big Express:  more rhythmically challenging, with the usual first-rate songwriting, with waves of proginess that come streaming out of the speakers.  It's almost the sort of album The Beatles might have made had they still existed in the '80s.  Then of course we get what is probably the ultimate re-creation of '60s psychedia with the Dukes of Stratosphear. I could go on,and will if you wish.

as could i...
menbe i'm too late to this , but as a 43yr-olde prog freak with a big love of 'song' i have to agree with the above 1st (and only) post i've read 'on' this...
i've lurked forever awaiting some sign from god or lester bangs (same?) about 'that 1st review ya said ya were gonna write a few years ago"
this brings me out

progressive = to progress (and yes, i know a pile of other stuff as well ...But) were "punk/pop" allowed the
pleasure of a seating in more 'serious' prog-lounges (think Fripp & Hall) such as their stepkids enjoy, the world would be a better and, thank god, more interestng perch.

i'll only add to the quoted (and nicely put) post , this one 'lil update

Apple Venys 1 and 2 (Wasp Star) are far more progressive than most prog (think we called it neo-prog then, but still) out those days .. XTC was/is one of those rare progressive units that could make a quadrupal-layered cake (Part-Prog Part-'punk' Part-Pop(in its true form) and Part interpretation an enjoyable thing. not excess. no over adornment. just perfect progressive music (of whatever genre traps it)
played as flawlessly as it was writen.
from spin #1 'White Music' (1976)
to the latest "Wasp Star - Apple Venus Pt. 2"., these guys never duplicate themselves...

these guys have been amazing and progressing towards-?? for well over 30 years now. they should get in , prog-related, at the very least.

Raff wrote: I am not terribly familiar with XTC's output, but I've seen them discussed enough times here to understand the suggestion has some merit. As to their being "80s power pop", we have other bands here part of whose output can be described in the same terms (think Split Enz or Talk Talk) - so, I don't see any problem there.

Let's take a -- sorry -- not so brief look at Skylarking. 

Summer's Cauldron.  Ya got yer chirping crickets, tweeting birds, and some weird wavering synth, aurically  sending out heat waves.  Then there's that Beatle-like piano and that harmonium-like thing.  A little sitar sound thrown in here and there is a nice touch. 

Grass.  Sounds like an out-take from Magical Mystery Tour.  Nice plucked string thing going on there.

The Meeting Place.  Segue into the song echoes the beginning of Summer's Cauldron.  Again beautiful instrumentation and harmonies. 

That's Really Super Supergirl.  Obligatory hit single attempt by Partridge -- hey a guy's gotta try to assuage those folks paying the bills.  Nice phased keyboards.  Nice guitar solo, no arena rock bombast here.

Ballet for a Rainy Day.  Pure psychedelia.  Maybe it's just the natural 80's version of say, a Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds tune

1000 Umbrellas.  Andy ain't happy and he's channeling Eleanor Rigby to prove it.

Season Cycle.  Yeah, poppy.  But as with all of the songs, the chord progressions are never your standard I-IV-V.  More great harmonies.  Andy's decided to channel Pet Sounds for this one again.

Earn Enough for Us.  Great rock tune.  Another attempt at a hit in case Supergirl ain't the one.  But even as a rock tune it's full of nice melodic twists.

Big Day.  Yeah, poppy.  But again perfect instrumentation and melodic development.  You're the new recruit.  In your wedding suit.

Another Satellite.  If this song was on an Eno album -- the resemblance is palpable -- it would be commonly accepted as a prog mini-masterpiece.

Mermaid Smiled.  Nice acoustic guitars recalling those on Rubber Soul.  Someone there is banging on the bongos like a chimpanzee.

The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul.  XTC meets beatnik jazz.

Dying.  Simple piece, driven by acoustic guitar.  But nice orchestral (synth, ya think?) backing and as usual perfect vocals. 

Sacrificial Bonfire.  Almost anthemic end to this great album.  Simple yet evocative melody and instrumentation, with very nice orchestration.

Dear God.  Well now Andy's really pissed off.  XTC channeling John Lennon in a really  bad mood.  Again, nice orchestration over the acoustic guitars.          

I have not done a great job of describing the little nuances in instrumentation that enhance each song.  Nor have I dwelt on the incredible vocals.  Maybe they are just the finest pop band of the '80's.  Or maybe the are one of the few prog bands of the '80's.  

Here's a link to Summer's Cauldron:

What happens when a band calls themselves Prog .... and we don't?

Raff wrote: chopper wrote: I love XTC and English Settlement certainly has its proggy moments but I don't consider them to be a prog band and I doubt that Andy Partridge does. It may well be true, but then, neither do Fripp or Steven Wilson consider their bands to be prog (and even Cedric of The Mars Volta has said something to that effect). What shall we do then - remove PT, KC and TMV because their leaders disagree with the prog label?

Fair point, mind you Fripp might not consider KC to be prog but everyone else does!

chopper wrote: I love XTC and English Settlement certainly has its proggy moments but I don't consider them to be a prog band and I doubt that Andy Partridge does.

Well, the important thing would be whether or not his pink thing thinks so.

Pnoom! wrote: It's worth noting that the site policy is that they need a full on prog album to qualify for a full prog genre.  XTC certainly have some songs that approach prog, but in terms of full albums, I don't think they do (though I need to hear that one album you mentioned in your first post). Regarding Talking Heads, if King Crimson's Discipline is considered a full prog album, rather than just a new wave album by an ex-prog band, then they should be included, because Remain in Light is definitely in the same genre as Discipline (though my personal view is that neither are prog).

Edited by jammun - February 26 2009 at 20:43

It's worth noting that the site policy is that they need a full on prog album to qualify for a full prog genre.  XTC certainly have some songs that approach prog, but in terms of full albums, I don't think they do (though I need to hear that one album you mentioned in your first post).

Regarding Talking Heads, if King Crimson's Discipline is considered a full prog album, rather than just a new wave album by an ex-prog band, then they should be included, because Remain in Light is definitely in the same genre as Discipline (though my personal view is that neither are prog).

Slartibartfast wrote: I think we need a Hell Yeah It's Prog To Me, What's The Matter With You People?  Subgenre..

Suggestion of the decade!