Lately I’ve been immersed in the project of putting together some compilations of my fave XTC songs to play in the car or at parties, etc., and starting a board just seemed like a logical extension. Actually- it started out as one disc but quickly became two (set lists are below)- you know how it goes…

For the uninitiated, XTC grew out of the late seventies new wave movement but quickly matured into a premier pop/ rock band still capable of producing brilliant albums. Their recent material has turned up on a number of soundtracks, though I couldn’t tell you about the radio. A lot of their best material is well known (and even if it isn’t it immediately sounds like it should be.)

Stylistically they have managed to fashion their own sound incorporating both new wave and classic 60’s pop elements. Being a non touring band has allowed them to devote considerable time to an impecibably detailed sonic signature. The lyrical content, often caustic and confrontational, is where the passion lies.

Skylarking is generally regarded as their classic disc and, quite frankly, I couldn’t come up with enough superlatives to hurl its way that haven’t been used already. Highly recommended for numerous reasons- and “Dear God” is pretty low on that list.

If it weren’t for some dated material, most notably “Living Through Another Cuba”, I’d rate Black Sea almost as highly and would still say it’s a pretty good place to start. They deliver the goods with every release, though. In fact, listening to the then-panned Mummer recently has caused me to completely reevaluate my opinion of it. It may have taken years but its charms have finally had their way with me.

The following set lists have been arranged according to segues and an overall arc, rather than chronologically. And I don’t think of them as being #1 or #2, just equals, so I have chosen to title them instead. But this is the “Best of XTC” that I could fit on two 80 minute discs. I can think of at least 8 songs that didn’t make the cut, and 3 albums aren’t even represented. (Unfortunately, the general rule with compilations is that they are judged not by what they include but what they don’t include) I will say this: these discs aren’t that old and have already made the rounds among my family and friends. If one was able to burn an MP3 disc of this material (legally, of course) that person would have a nice little collection.

Travels in Nihilon
1- Fly on the Wall
2- Towers of London
3- That’s Really Super, Supergirl
4- Dear Madame Barnum
5- King for a Day
6- Making Plans for Nigel
7- Snowman
8- River of Orchids
9- Earn Enough for Us
10- Respectable Street
11- Rook
12- Sacrificial Bonfire
13- Senses Working Overtime
14- Merely a Man
15- Another Satelite
16- Travels in Nihilon
17- Ball and Chain
18- Wrapped in Grey
19- Chalkhills and Children

Complicated Game
1- All You Pretty Girls
2- Rocket From a Bottle
3- Life Begins at the Hop
4- I’d Like That
5- Season Cycle
6- Mayor of Simpleton
7- Then She Appeared
8- Love on a Farmboy’s Wages
9- Dear God
10- Complicated Game
11- The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead
12- Great Fire
13- This World Over
14- Cynical Days
15- Runaways
16- Ballet for a Rainy Day
17- Generals and Majors
18- No Thugs in Our House
19- Deliver Us From the Elements

The Man Who Murdered Love is one you should get. I love that song.

Definitely, good one! I think that one took on a second life from being used on Gilmore Girls. It is originally from the disc Wasp Star. I may just go ahead and make a third disc...

I've just recently heard XTC's version of "I Am the Walrus". Not too bad.

"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand."

Geez, Benn, you got me stumped. I never heard that one. Do you know where it came from (i.e.: a soundtrack or a tribute disc)? Are you sure it was XTC (no offense intended)?

FWIW- if you ever get the chance you should check out Spooky Tooth's version of "I Am the Walrus" (early 1970's), it is the most intense cover I've heard so far. The vocals have a nicely tortured and soulful edge to them.

It's listed here on XTC's official website.

Oasis has also done a fairly decent version of "Walrus". Then there's the almost metal version by Gray Matter. So far, I haven't heard a version of "Walrus" that sucked. The hallmark of a truly well-made song, I think.

np - "I Am the Walrus" - Gray Matter

"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand."

BTW, Spooky Tooth's version of "Walrus" is pretty good.

"Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand."

Cool, thanks. It turns out to be from a Dave Gregory side project called Colin's Hermits. Gotta check that one out, though it might be hard to find.

You know, they really do have a lot of ancillary stuff going on so checking the website discography is probably the first place to go for info. I'm gonna have to remember that.

On a side note, it might be fun to make a best of "I Am the Walrus" disc, along the lines of that Rhino disc The Best of Louie Louie...then again, maybe not . In any event this got me thinking that a Beatles cover disc might be an interesting project, but I'm not going to consider doing one unless I can get my hands on Eric Gales' version of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)". (sadly, unavailable through MusicMatch...)

MrPorter: If you do that disc, you oughta include Screaming Trees cover of Working Class Hero.

Good call, Dude, I remember when that one came out. If get serious about it I'll post some ideas on the Beatles thread.

Include some Rutles tunes on that. ;-)

Hi there. Due to a recommendation from an earlier post that I submitted, in which I wrote about this band on the "Bands You've Never Heard, But Would Like To" thread, and somebody said that I should definetly give them a listen. SO I bought The "Fossil Fuel: The Singles 1977-1992" double compilation.

And I gave it a listen. I was able to make a customized CD of my favorite tracks, and I would have to say that my favorites are "This World Over", "The Mayor Of Simpleton" and "King For A Day".

And the great thing about the inclusion of "Simpleton" is that I heard it on the radio back in 1996, but I did not know the artist. Back then, I thought it was by the Moody Blues! So THAT'S why this song wasn't on the MB compilations, I later said to myself.

Truth be told, I'm only a casual fan of this group, I probably would not buy any more of their albums.
"Fossil Fuel" is good enough for me!