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Working with producer Todd Rundgren didn't necessarily bring XTC a sense of sonic cohesion -- after all, every record since English Settlement followed its own interior logic -- but it did help the group sharpen its focus, making Skylarking its tightest record since Drums and Wires. Ironically, Skylarking had little to do with new wave and everything to do with the lush, post-psychedelic pop of the Beatles and Beach Boys. Combining the charming pastoral feel of Mummer with the classicist English pop of The Big Express, XTC expand their signature sound by enhancing their intelligently melodic pop with graceful, lyrical arrangements and sweeping, detailed instrumentation. Rundgren may have devised the sequencing, helping the record feel like a song cycle even if it doesn't play like one, but what really impresses is the consistency and depth of Andy Partridge's and Colin Moulding's songs. Each song is a small gem, marrying sweet, catchy melodies to decidedly adult lyrical themes, from celebrations of love ("Grass") and marriage ("Big Day") to skepticism about maturation ("Earn Enough for Us") and religion ("Dear God"). Moulding's songs complement Partridge's songs better than before, and each writer is at a melodic and lyrical peak, which Rundgren helps convey with his supple production. The result is a pop masterpiece -- an album that has great ambitions and fulfills them with ease. The initial release of Skylarking didn't feature "Dear God," which was originally the B-side of "Grass." After "Dear God" became an unexpected hit, "Mermaid Smile" was pulled from the album so the hit single could be added.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Guitar, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Rundgren, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - 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, Composer, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Foscato, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Guitar, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Rundgren, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - 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, Composer, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Foscato, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Guitar, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Rundgren, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - 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, Composer, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Foscato, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Guitar, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Rundgren, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - 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, Composer, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Foscato, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Guitar, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Rundgren, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - 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, Composer, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Foscato, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Andy Partridge, Guitar, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Todd Rundgren, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - 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) 2001 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 2001 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
Albumbeschreibung
Working with producer Todd Rundgren didn't necessarily bring XTC a sense of sonic cohesion -- after all, every record since English Settlement followed its own interior logic -- but it did help the group sharpen its focus, making Skylarking its tightest record since Drums and Wires. Ironically, Skylarking had little to do with new wave and everything to do with the lush, post-psychedelic pop of the Beatles and Beach Boys. Combining the charming pastoral feel of Mummer with the classicist English pop of The Big Express, XTC expand their signature sound by enhancing their intelligently melodic pop with graceful, lyrical arrangements and sweeping, detailed instrumentation. Rundgren may have devised the sequencing, helping the record feel like a song cycle even if it doesn't play like one, but what really impresses is the consistency and depth of Andy Partridge's and Colin Moulding's songs. Each song is a small gem, marrying sweet, catchy melodies to decidedly adult lyrical themes, from celebrations of love ("Grass") and marriage ("Big Day") to skepticism about maturation ("Earn Enough for Us") and religion ("Dear God"). Moulding's songs complement Partridge's songs better than before, and each writer is at a melodic and lyrical peak, which Rundgren helps convey with his supple production. The result is a pop masterpiece -- an album that has great ambitions and fulfills them with ease. The initial release of Skylarking didn't feature "Dear God," which was originally the B-side of "Grass." After "Dear God" became an unexpected hit, "Mermaid Smile" was pulled from the album so the hit single could be added.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 00:49:20
- Main artists: XTC
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Virgin Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2001 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 2001 Virgin Records Limited
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