Original UK version with 2001 bonus tracks
5 keepers (original album)
keeper avg .416 (original album)
The third album was obviously an important step for XTC, though success in terms of sales was still building. I can understand comparisons I've seen to Talking Heads as a similar kind of brainy punk-pop, though by this time TH had gone down a totally different path with Brian Eno. XTC is more like punks with too much music education to fit in aspiring to create the next Sgt. Pepper. Terry Chambers's unique, frantic drum work and Dave Gregory's punchy riffs in "Making Plans For Nigel"**** are more like Television meets The Cars, but played with fury that neither of those bands ever achieved (live versions from 79-80 are blistering). "Helicopter"****, "When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty", "Real by Reel"****, and "Outside World" all demonstrate XTC's singular combination of energy, chops, and generous quantity of pop hooks.
Though Andy Partridge penned most of the album, bassist Colin Moulding provided four. Most of his songs are more subdued, though the aforementioned "Making Plans For Nigel," the band's biggest single to date, is one of his. Though showing no lack of musical ambition or sophistication, "Day In Day Out", the Squeeze-like "Ten Feet Tall", and "That Is the Way" are more subtle and fade into the background somewhat. Moulding's bass, on the other hand, is an integral to the band, and frequently prominent on Partridge's songs, providing a catchy melodic counterpoint or an expressive growl (especially on "Helicopter" and "Roads Girdle the Globe"). For melodic bass lines he can give Macca a run for his money.
"Roads Girdle the Globe"**** concludes side 1 with a menacing stomp, chant-like Whoa oh oh oh's, and an expressive bass line. If "Roads.." is a little unsettling, "Complicated Game"*****, which closes the album, is frightening. Moulding and Chambers lock into a relentless drive while Partridge somehow coughs each staccato syllable in time; by the time Partridge is done with his hell-ified solo he's totally unhinged. The song ends with his demented barks echoing through the chaos.
The CD version I listened to has 3 bonus tracks. Moulding's infectious Beatle-esque "Life Begins at the Hop"***** was XTC's first charting single (so the band's first hits two were actually his). I can't find any explanation of the origin of the speedy "Chain of Command"**** or "Limelight"**** (also Moulding) other than being previously unreleased but both are catchy as hell, with all the "whoa-oh oh oh oh" and "ooh wee ooh" hooks I could wish for.
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