lol wow yeah if you actually have a spreadsheet I totally want it!
― the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 24 July 2012 15:34 (eleven years ago) link
Ok, this may not be quite what you're looking for but here you go: http://www.divshare.com/download/19202708-09f
It's a list of the previously unreleased full songs (not instrumentals, joke bits or demos of released songs) from various sources, primarily Fuzzy Warbles. I've listed the album session it was recorded for and approximate date. I've gleaned this information from the FW liner notes, the Chalkhills website and some other sources I can't recall. Let me know if you spot any errors or have further questions.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 25 July 2012 02:45 (eleven years ago) link
Hold on, technical difficulties, one moment...
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 25 July 2012 02:47 (eleven years ago) link
Use this link: http://www.divshare.com/download/19202877-fa5
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 25 July 2012 02:50 (eleven years ago) link
thanks, gerald, will consult
― contenderizer, Wednesday, 25 July 2012 04:26 (eleven years ago) link
this is awesome - thanks so much!!!
― the alternate vision continues his vision quest! (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 25 July 2012 15:21 (eleven years ago) link
that covered a lot of bases - if anyone has any idea for the years the following were recorded please speak up!
It's Snowing AngelsBlue OverallThe Bland Leading the BlandI Gave My Suitcase AwayRocketExtrovertLightheadedThese VoicesOpen a Can of Human BeansI Defy You GravitySmalltownRed Brick Dream
― giallo shots (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 25 July 2012 20:02 (eleven years ago) link
It's Snowing Angels: Recorded by Andy Partridge on 14 August 1990Blue Overall: Recorded during sessions for The Big ExpressThe Bland Leading the Bland: recorded during Wasp StarI Gave My Suitcase Away: ?Rocket: guessing around O&L or before NonsuchExtrovert: recorded during SkylarkingLightheaded: guessing around Wasp Star or laterThese Voices: 2003Open a Can of Human Beans: ?I Defy You Gravity: mid 90s sometime, around same time as my brown guitar?Smalltown: Black Sea?Red Brick Dream: Black Sea sessions
http://chalkhills.org/reelbyreal/i_song.html
― Dominique, Wednesday, 25 July 2012 21:39 (eleven years ago) link
first time I am hearing Open A Can, apparently this was a Dukes production, but definitely sounds like later era XTC, maybe Wasp Star or later?
― Dominique, Wednesday, 25 July 2012 21:42 (eleven years ago) link
Is "Smalltown" different than "(The Everyday Story of) Smalltown"?
― David Allan Cow (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 25 July 2012 21:46 (eleven years ago) link
Ah, I see what you're asking, never mind.
― David Allan Cow (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 25 July 2012 21:49 (eleven years ago) link
Some corrections and clarifications:It's Snowing Angels: Recorded by Andy Partridge on 14 August 1990 - the Nonsuch sessionsI Gave My Suitcase Away: ? - around 2005Rocket: guessing around O&L or before Nonsuch - in 1991, the Nonsuch sessionsThese Voices: 2003 - around the time of "Wonderfalls"Open a Can of Human Beans: ? - for the Wish List comp in 2003I Defy You Gravity: mid 90s sometime, around same time as my brown guitar? - around 2000Smalltown: Black Sea? - no, this appears on Big ExpressRed Brick Dream: Black Sea sessions - no, the Big Express sessions as it was a b-side from that album
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 26 July 2012 03:11 (eleven years ago) link
y'know, this Martin Newell album that Andy did is pretty underrated
― Dunn O)))))))) (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 27 July 2012 19:08 (eleven years ago) link
Greatest Living Englishman (the song) is one of his best collaborative works ever imo
― undermikey: bidness (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 27 July 2012 21:42 (eleven years ago) link
Fucking hell, I love this band. I went away for the New Year to visit some friends and didn't actively listen to much music for the duration I was there. As soon as I got back home, I put Mummer in the stereo, put on the headphones and stuck on 'Love On A Farmboy's Wages'... as soon as the chorus had kicked in and those beautifully-recorded guitars tickled my eardrums, I felt like I was falling in love with this band all over again. Superb. Fucking superb.
― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Sunday, 6 January 2013 03:14 (eleven years ago) link
Yep, Andy's a genius. Be sure to check out his two collaboration with Peter Blegvad!
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Sunday, 6 January 2013 14:40 (eleven years ago) link
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/3920749.jpg
dave mustaine played in XTC briefly before going on to form metallica.
― Poliopolice, Monday, 7 January 2013 19:56 (eleven years ago) link
I listened to their entire discography from Drums and Wires on a little while ago and it really is pretty breathtaking
― Welcome to my world of proses (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 7 January 2013 20:45 (eleven years ago) link
i am complete awe of XTC and they might be most underrated/underacknowledged band of all time (except maybe some unnamed group of tribal aborigine musicians living in Papau New Guinea in the mid 1200s), but somehow only about 30% of their proper albums seem stunningly and unprecedentedly brilliant, while 70% is merely good or decent. as a singles band, they are hard to beat though.
― Poliopolice, Monday, 7 January 2013 22:39 (eleven years ago) link
they might be most underrated/underacknowledged band of all time
On the second count most definitely, on the first I don't know - I hear bands like Sparks and XTC referred to as "underrated" all the time and it seems that well, among *those who have heard them*, they're rated extremely highly - the question is why didn't XTC, who wrote some of the catchiest singles of the 80's, pick up more fans? Sure, their record company hated them, but it's still weird to think that bands like Midnight Oil are still known by your average Dad while it seems only music nerds really value XTC. When, as you mention, they've a good 20-some singles that are just undeniable. That's what strikes me about songs like "Life Begins at the Hop", or "Love on a Farmboy's Wages", or "Senses Working Overtime" - they do everything an amazing pop song should do, and then some. They're not even "weird" like Sparks. I don't get it.
― frogbs, Monday, 7 January 2013 22:49 (eleven years ago) link
it took me dozens of listens to like nearly every xtc album. it's quality music that takes time to digest. a few singles have immediate appeal, but on the whole the albums require work.
― das ist not einer 不必 (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 7 January 2013 22:53 (eleven years ago) link
I've shifted on this point for XTC -- in that now, I think it's pretty amazing they became as popular as they did. Partridge really doesn't strike me as the kind of guy with enough patience or tact to be "famous". He kind of does what he wants, as far as songwriting, even when he's trying to be super "accessible". Despite the fact he's essentially a genius at melody, song structure, harmony, etc, he still seems incapable of writing something for "everyone", at least on purpose. So, if you like what he does -- well, you kind of have to *love* it.
― Dominique, Monday, 7 January 2013 23:30 (eleven years ago) link
yeah, he's been contracted to do heaps of writing for television/film, other artists, etc., but apart from the wonderfalls theme nothing really went anywhere
― das ist not einer 不必 (Autumn Almanac), Monday, 7 January 2013 23:39 (eleven years ago) link
the amount of commissioned stuff on Fuzzy Warbles that got turned down is pretty incredible
― Welcome to my world of proses (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 7 January 2013 23:48 (eleven years ago) link
a new rerelease campaign was announced that would involve their entire catalogue being mixed in 5.1 surround sound and released in expanded editions beginning with their 1992 album Nonsuch.
lol waht how much more crap could there possible be
― Ayn Rand Akbar (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 4 November 2013 21:03 (ten years ago) link
oh god
― Autumn Almanac, Monday, 4 November 2013 21:25 (ten years ago) link
at first I thought that meant they would be started chronologically with Nonsuch and then moving forward but duh that's only um three albums, two of which have already been repackaged and reissued in multiple formats. but maybe they're not going to go chronologically... either way, would rather just hear some new stuff at this point :(
― Ayn Rand Akbar (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 4 November 2013 21:27 (ten years ago) link
otfm
― Autumn Almanac, Monday, 4 November 2013 21:28 (ten years ago) link
Nonsuch one of their best obv
― diarmuid o'gallus (imago), Monday, 4 November 2013 21:38 (ten years ago) link
Haha at this thread being next to the Cure one. The two bands of my early youth! XTC got older more gracefully
― diarmuid o'gallus (imago), Monday, 4 November 2013 21:43 (ten years ago) link
I can't muster much enthusiasm for 5.1 mixes but maybe we'll get comprehensive non-lp collections with each album.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 5 November 2013 01:08 (ten years ago) link
Little bit on O&L here:http://thequietus.com/articles/14404-xtc-oranges-and-lemons
― frogbs, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 14:03 (ten years ago) link
dunno if I agree that problem with O&L is "too many instruments" or overly busy arrangements. feel more like too many of the songs are lazy retreads of previous ideas.
― How dare you tarnish the reputation of Turturro's yodel (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 16:37 (ten years ago) link
Problem for me is that it's mixed like a record from 1989.
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 18:34 (ten years ago) link
I don't think the abundance of instrumentation is necessarily a bad thing but the way it's mixed makes it hard to focus. I looked up John Fox's wiki page and his only other production I've heard is TMBG's John Henry which is kind of similar - good material stretched too thin and too many distractions in songs that didn't need them.
― frogbs, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 18:41 (ten years ago) link
It always sounded to me like a jingle writer's overlong demo tape. It was a pretty huge disappointment at the time, as I loved Skylarking and couldn't wait to hear where they'd go next (Psonic Psunspot notwithstanding).
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 18:54 (ten years ago) link
I don't think the abundance of instrumentation is necessarily a bad thing but the way it's mixed makes it hard to focus
Bingo. I adore this album, but the mixing could have been better. It's a glossy, tiring record that takes a lot of attention. Took me years to get past that and really get into it, but I love almost every song nowadays.
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 19:05 (ten years ago) link
first song on that album is so great.
― Poliopolice, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 20:34 (ten years ago) link
huh was unaware of this lil bit of "inspiration"
http://www.rare-posters.com/2354.jpg
― How dare you tarnish the reputation of Turturro's yodel (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 20:39 (ten years ago) link
"scarecrow people" is sucha great song.
― everyday sheeple (Michael B), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 20:43 (ten years ago) link
as is generally the case w XTC, always funny to hear fans' different favorites. no one ever agrees. has to be the least-consensus-making band ever.
― How dare you tarnish the reputation of Turturro's yodel (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 20:46 (ten years ago) link
forgs otm - cluttered & lifeless arrangements/production killing songs that might have worked if delivered differently. i have in moments come to appreciate O&L, but it's still XTC & andy's big dropoff point afaic.
― CANONICAL artists, etc., etc. (contenderizer), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 20:46 (ten years ago) link
has to be the least-consensus-making band ever
I'm thinking Autechre is the poster child for this (or maybe Prince??) but I have definitely been shocked at the number of people who loved Nonsuch, which I found dull and lifeless, but have since come around to in a big way. Meanwhile I love White Music but you don't see anyone boosting for that one (granted, I love it for the same reasons that many can't stand it).
I do think they had plenty of good music left in 'em on O&L and beyond, but it definitely feels like the moment where the end was in sight. I would've loved to write about Apple Venus (turns 15 this year!); maybe the best "last gasp" album I've ever heard
― frogbs, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 20:52 (ten years ago) link
I'm very keen to see how the eventual XTC poll shakes out, because yeah, I have no idea what consensus there is on this band if any. Among the albums, I often see Skylarking cited as their best, but a lot of fans have disdain for its most well-known song! Maybe everyone will vote for 20 songs with no absolutely overlap and we can call it a day
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 20:58 (ten years ago) link
looks like it was done 6 years ago, here were the results:
Drums & Wires 13Skylarking 10English Settlement 9Black Sea 4The Big Express 2Go 2 2Oranges & Lemons 1White Music 1Mummer 1Wasp Star 1Nonsuch 0Apple Venus Pt. 1 0
Very surprising - I figured both Skylarking and English Settlement would be Top 3, but no votes for Nonsuch or Apple Venus is odd, and I only know of one person who thinks D&W was their best overall. I'd picture D&W getting 0 votes before Nonsuch. Curious how the Dukes stuff would slot in there too
― frogbs, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 21:09 (ten years ago) link
Meanwhile I love White Music but you don't see anyone boosting for that one (granted, I love it for the same reasons that many can't stand it).
― frogbs, Tuesday, February 11, 2014 12:52 PM (22 minutes ago)
white music & go 2 tied for my favorite
― CANONICAL artists, etc., etc. (contenderizer), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 21:18 (ten years ago) link
25 O'Clock would be pretty high on my ballot.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 21:18 (ten years ago) link
I think I'm slated to run the XTC poll...? I expect the turnout to be small (20 voters tops probably) and the vote spread very wide, with next to no overlap. Dukes and other sundry spinoff stuff will be eligible.
― How dare you tarnish the reputation of Turturro's yodel (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 21:19 (ten years ago) link
at one point i had at one point every xtc album up to oranges and lemons including dukes stuff, but i've never owned or heard the rest, other than peter pumpkin head (i hated oranges and lemons that much).
listening to wasp star now. this seems pretty good!
― miserable pissy riot (Hunt3r), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 21:46 (ten years ago) link
the last two are really great capstones to their career
― How dare you tarnish the reputation of Turturro's yodel (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 11 February 2014 21:50 (ten years ago) link