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XTC fans are a dedicated lot. There may not be many of them, but nearly all of them need to hear everything the group ever recorded. They'll happily spend hundreds of dollars on rare singles and bootlegs, or buy official releases of demos, even when they sound nearly identical to the official release, so a four-disc box set of rarities, demos, alternate takes, and live versions like Coat of Many Cupboards is essentially manna from heaven. If there's any problem with the set, it's that Virgin and XTC didn't go far enough and dedicate the set entirely to unreleased material; they hedged their bets, devoting 41 of 60 tracks to previously unreleased cuts, with the lion's share of the rest -- a full 14, actually -- being album tracks any XTC fan already has. No matter how good these songs are -- and they include such masterpieces as "Chalkhills and Children" and the Dukes of Stratosphear's "Vanishing Girl" -- their presence on a lovingly assembled rarities set is a fairly major irritant (even if the band is reportedly working on an even larger archival release, provisionally titled Fuzzy Warbles, that may span as many as eight volumes). Still, if this set had just one disc of rarities, XTC fans would have purchased it anyway, and they'll overjoy in the sheer volume of unheard music here. And rightly so, since even if there aren't that many demos and alternate takes that are radically different from the finished product -- there's an acoustic run-through of "Senses Working Overtime" and an embryonic version of "Mayor of Simpleton" that are fascinating rough drafts, while an early version of "Life Begins at the Hop" is appealingly awkward -- this is still rich listening, filled with such delights as three White Music outtakes showcasing Barry Andrews (who would leave not long afterward), Colin Moulding's Nonsuch reject "Didn't Hurt a Bit" (which should have been on the album), and the live "Atom Medley," one of several in-concert performances that illustrate how good the band was on-stage, no matter Andy Partridge's stage fright. These moments and the uniform high quality of music, along with the track-by-track annotation by Partridge and Moulding, make the repetition of album tracks easy to forgive, since this is as close to a perfect gift for fans as imaginable (until Fuzzy Warbles materializes, that is). Although fans would have settled for anything rare, XTC has returned their affection with a box that shows as much love as the fans have shown over the years. It doesn't get much better than that.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Nicky Graham, Producer - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JOHN LECKIE, Producer - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JOHN LECKIE, Producer - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JOHN LECKIE, Producer - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Colin Moulding, Composer - JOHN LECKIE, Producer - XTC, MainArtist - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Barry Gray, Composer - JOHN LECKIE, Producer - XTC, MainArtist - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
JOHN LECKIE, Producer - XTC, MainArtist - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Robert John "Mutt" Lange, Producer - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Pete James, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Haydn Bendall, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JOHN LECKIE, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Barry Andrews, Composer - JOHN LECKIE, Producer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Barry Andrews, Composer - JOHN LECKIE, Producer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Colin Moulding, Author - XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
George Chambers, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Hugh Padgham, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Wainman for Utopia Productions, Producer - Steve Prestage, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Cook, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Colin Moulding, Composer - Hugh Padgham, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
DISC 2
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist - Keith Walker, Producer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist - Keith Walker, Producer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Cameron Allen, Producer - XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, ComposerLyricist - XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer - colin ivor moulding, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Colin Moulding, Organ, Vocals, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Partridge, Guitar, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Padgham, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer - Ian Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Terry Chambers, Drums, Vocals, Rhythm Programming, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Colin Moulding, Organ, Vocals, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Partridge, Guitar, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Padgham, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Partridge, ComposerLyricist - XTC, MainArtist - Steve Lillywhite, Producer - Ian Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Terry Chambers, Drums, Vocals, Rhythm Programming, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, ComposerLyricist - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, ComposerLyricist - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
DISC 3
Hugh Padgham, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, Producer, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Hugh Padgham, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - XTC, Producer, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 BBC Enterprises Ltd.
Hugh Padgham, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, Producer, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - Steve Nye, Producer - XTC, Producer, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
David Lord, Producer - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
XTC, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, ComposerLyricist - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
DISC 4
Andrew Partridge, Composer - John Leckie and the Dukes , Producer - The Dukes Of Stratosphear, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
John Leckie and the Dukes , Producer - The Dukes Of Stratosphear, MainArtist - colin ivor moulding, Composer
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Composer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Colin Moulding, Composer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - XTC, MainArtist
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2002 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Guitar, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Rundgren, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Partridge, Composer - XTC, MainArtist - Ian Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Gregory, Keyboards, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Prairie Prince, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - George Cowan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - colin ivor moulding, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Foscato, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2010 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2010 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
XTC fans are a dedicated lot. There may not be many of them, but nearly all of them need to hear everything the group ever recorded. They'll happily spend hundreds of dollars on rare singles and bootlegs, or buy official releases of demos, even when they sound nearly identical to the official release, so a four-disc box set of rarities, demos, alternate takes, and live versions like Coat of Many Cupboards is essentially manna from heaven. If there's any problem with the set, it's that Virgin and XTC didn't go far enough and dedicate the set entirely to unreleased material; they hedged their bets, devoting 41 of 60 tracks to previously unreleased cuts, with the lion's share of the rest -- a full 14, actually -- being album tracks any XTC fan already has. No matter how good these songs are -- and they include such masterpieces as "Chalkhills and Children" and the Dukes of Stratosphear's "Vanishing Girl" -- their presence on a lovingly assembled rarities set is a fairly major irritant (even if the band is reportedly working on an even larger archival release, provisionally titled Fuzzy Warbles, that may span as many as eight volumes). Still, if this set had just one disc of rarities, XTC fans would have purchased it anyway, and they'll overjoy in the sheer volume of unheard music here. And rightly so, since even if there aren't that many demos and alternate takes that are radically different from the finished product -- there's an acoustic run-through of "Senses Working Overtime" and an embryonic version of "Mayor of Simpleton" that are fascinating rough drafts, while an early version of "Life Begins at the Hop" is appealingly awkward -- this is still rich listening, filled with such delights as three White Music outtakes showcasing Barry Andrews (who would leave not long afterward), Colin Moulding's Nonsuch reject "Didn't Hurt a Bit" (which should have been on the album), and the live "Atom Medley," one of several in-concert performances that illustrate how good the band was on-stage, no matter Andy Partridge's stage fright. These moments and the uniform high quality of music, along with the track-by-track annotation by Partridge and Moulding, make the repetition of album tracks easy to forgive, since this is as close to a perfect gift for fans as imaginable (until Fuzzy Warbles materializes, that is). Although fans would have settled for anything rare, XTC has returned their affection with a box that shows as much love as the fans have shown over the years. It doesn't get much better than that.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 4 disc(s) - 60 track(s)
- Total length: 03:40:01
- Main artists: XTC
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Virgin Catalogue
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2010 Virgin Records Limited This Compilation ℗ 2010 Virgin Records Limited
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