XTC "English Settlement"

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is XTC’s, “English Settlement.”

I was trying to decide which XTC album to appoint. I’ve decided to go with “English Settlement.” I usually don’t like feature the most popular release by an artist. And I’m not even sure that this is their most popular, but I’m running with it.

“English Settlement” is XTC’s fifth studio release. The year was 1982. (What a great period for music. I think this might be about the fifth time I’ve chosen something from that year.)

As usual, everything was written by the great Andy Partridge. Not one track stood out from the rest for me. This is one of those discs that just spits ‘em at you. Boom! Band! Pow! Classics like ‘Senses Working Overtime, Jason and the Argonuats, No Thugs in Our House’ and ‘Melt the Guns.’

Where XTC are power pop band? Where they a prog-rock band? What are your thoughts about this or other XTC releases?

Pull out your music, grab “English Settlement” are give it a spin. It’s “Today’s Cool Album of the Day.” When you’re done with this one, then give “Oranges and Lemons” a listen

Track listing

Side 1

1. “Runaways” (Moulding)
2. “Ball and Chain” (Moulding)
3. “Senses Working Overtime”
4. “Jason and the Argonauts”
5. “Snowman”

Side 2

1. Melt the Guns
2. “No Thugs in Our House”
3. “It’s Nearly Africa”
4. “English Roundabout” (Moulding)
5. “All of a Sudden (It’s Too Late)”

Personnel

• Colin Moulding – lead vocals, backing vocals, fretless bass, Fender bass, mini-Korg, piano, percussion
• Andy Partridge – lead vocals, backing vocals, electric guitar, semi-acoustic electric 12-string guitar, semi-acoustic electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mini-Korg, Prophet V, anklung, alto sax, percussion, frog
• Dave Gregory – electric 12-string guitar, electric guitars, nylon-string Spanish guitar, semi-acoustic electric 12-string guitar, Prophet V, mini-Korg, backing vocals, percussion, piano
• Terry Chambers – drums, drum synthesiser, percussion, backing vocals
• Hugh Padgham – backing vocals on “Ball and Chain”
• Hans de Vente – backing vocals on “It’s Nearly Africa”