Drummer reacts to "Mermaid Smiled" by XTC

Рет қаралды 739

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 38

@DrVonChilla 6 ай бұрын

XTC was a MONUMENTAL band. Absolutely unique. I've been listening to them since 1982 and will continue my devotion for the rest of my life.

@Hartlor_Tayley 6 ай бұрын

The most underrated band in history.

@lauraallen55 6 ай бұрын

Ooh XTC! They covered a few genres. :)

@unknown6390 6 ай бұрын

More XTC!

@johnmavroudis2054 6 ай бұрын

I've heard THOUSANDS of albums and cds... and XTC are an easy Top 5 band of all-time for me. BRILLIANT pop in every shade... from thunderous songs that will leave you amazed (try "COMPLICATED GAME") to gentle songs that are rich in lyrical beauty (ty "HARVEST FESTIVAL")... They are a brilliant band with a vast catalog of incredible songs... (and don't sleep on their alter egos... THE DUKES OF STRATOSPHEAR... who are the greatest homage to 60s music... EVER.)

@3CatAlfie 6 ай бұрын

Long time listener of XTC and still listen to them. Always loved Andy Partrige's vocal gymnastics. The albums English Settlement and Oranges and Lemons are a must to listen to.

@markdrechsler5660 6 ай бұрын

Mummer, The Big Express, Skylarking, and Black Sea are also must listen albums.

@wahwahwells 6 ай бұрын

In 1980 I was playing in a band who did a support spot before XTC at a venue called The Playroom on the Gold Coast here in Australia. We were huge fans of them and we had the chance to sit in on their soundcheck. I was listening and getting disappointed, because the individual instruments didn't sound great, Colin's bass sounded flabby and indistinct, Andy and Dave's guitars sounded trebly and harsh. A few moments later, Terry Chambers counted them in and they played Generals & Majors (It was the Black Sea Tour) and they sounded...perfect! Everything was in its place. The elements I thought were lacking were doing exactly what they needed to do. It was a music lesson for me that day. At the gig that night they were incredible, one of the best live bands I've ever seen. Do the deep dive into the XTC ocean, Lee, it will reward you!

@markdrechsler5660 6 ай бұрын

XTC are another deep rabbit hole.

@paulaleckey1968 6 ай бұрын

It's so rare that we get an "XTC" reaction! One of the best lyrical bands since the Beatles!

@sylvanm4216 6 ай бұрын

There's a short track called "Mermaid Explanation" from Andy Partridge’s Fuzzy Warbles demo series where he runs through the chords, and god, it sounds so good just hearing that riff isolated in Partridge's shed. Hearing that snippet kind of unlocked the song for me. The version of Skylarking I grew up with didn't have "Mermaid Smiled" on it - for a long time, you had to buy the Rag & Bone Buffet rarities comp to hear it. It's a weird one, certainly not a typical example of the XTC sound! I kind of love it now.

@alvillanueva2525 5 ай бұрын

One of the best bands ever. Take a deep dive into their incredible body of work.

@rodneygriffin7666 6 ай бұрын

This is a Fantastic album! I loved it since 1984. Each song flows so well into the next. I need to go back and listen to it again, For the millonth time plus one.🤣 So good.

@brewstergallery 6 ай бұрын

Spanish Ned back again. So happy to see you get so turned on by this beautiful track that you played it twice. Is that a first ? The wife and I are massive XTC fans and have most of their work on vinyl. Their LP range from twisted angular New Wave / Punk to a straighter Rock sound to Folk and world music and Beach Boys , Beatles... Their catalog including B sides and demos is massive.

@L33Reacts 6 ай бұрын

I played st.elmos fire twice last week by Brian eno so this the second ever time I've done it lol

@stevegirard-voiceaudiopodcasts 6 ай бұрын

A top 5 band for me… not even a question… and that list includes the Beatles & Steely Dan, so you can understand how much I revere what they gave me over the last 43 years! I was a big fan of both Todd & XTC, so when I heard he was producing them, I freaked out, knowing something great was on the way. But then I heard about all the strife occurring during the production, and was dismayed. Then Skylarking came out, and even in the incredible world of XTC music, it was ultra-special! It’s a song cycle, devised by Todd after they sent him the songs. Lee, i know reactors are supposed to go song-by-song, as requested… but in this case, well, Skylarking really needs to be listened to as a whole… at least to get the proper effect. Though Andy doesn’t like it, Todd gave this album a jolt that helped the band power through it’s remaining albums with several int’l hits they hadn’t had before. It got them on American radar. Disgusting what Virgin Records did to them, financially… but I hold them in the highest regard. Keep listening, and go back to heard some of their big UK songs… because it’s all worthwhile!! Take care…

@stevegirardmedia2255 Ай бұрын

Giving this another listen, and chiming in again with a sort of correction. Though Andy held much disdain for Skylarking because of Todd... he has since come around realizing it is a really creatively special album. Y'see, Rundgren really controlled the recording process, and they recorded in a pretty tight window (for them). Andy was used to stretching out the creative process... I think in part because he did not want to tour... and would do endless additions and redos. But Todd was like, nah, we're hammering this thing out... and Andy didn't have very much control. So, in many ways, Skylarking is a collaboration work... but nontheless it's absolutely brilliant.

@elvwood 6 ай бұрын

_Skylarking_ and _English_ _Settlement_ are certainly my two favourite XTC albums, but they are all worth listening to!

@13terapyn 6 ай бұрын

The song is like lying in a hammock on the most beautiful beach in the South Pacific while drinking the most delicious sangria

@courtneywallace871 6 ай бұрын

I must have the cd without this track. Absolutely love this band. Would love to see you do a deep dive. This album has quite the history. The record company insisted they get a producer, even though they wanted to self produce. So they picked the only producer on the list whose name they knew, Todd. To say Todd and Andy Partridge got into some very heated arguments through the project would be a huge understatement. Years later, Andy finally admitted that Todd produced a great album and it is. Prairie Prince is the drummer for The Tubes, another band that Todd produced a couple times. He now pretty much records and tours with Todd. Excited to see what Todd song you’re gonna do (my all time favorite artist).

@disconsolatemoose6637 6 ай бұрын

The American release of this CD took this track off and added "Dear God" instead.

@sarahbeach4849 5 ай бұрын

So happy to see someone reacting to XTC. In my top 2 bands of all time, along with Steely Dan. Crazy range across their albums. Creative, unusual, unique! More more more please... and consider me subbed. Thanks

@phroso7486 6 ай бұрын

XTC also recorded 60s & 70s style psych under the name the Dukes of Stratosphear.

@davidhanson8681 6 ай бұрын

"Dear God" is a very passionate, thought-provoking song and video from Skylarking.

@markwade2530 6 ай бұрын

I only discovered this album last year and love it love it love it.

@lizze490 6 ай бұрын

Never heard this before- what a poetic lovely song. I picture listening to this at sunrise on a beach....

@markpalomo4966 6 ай бұрын

Another good track on the same album is 'That's Really Super, Supergirl"

@sandrapeters6064 6 ай бұрын

XTC-Dear God

@lauraallen55 6 ай бұрын

Lee, you're more than welcome! I gave you what you asked for, plus one I love and that you should have and will love once you hear it (the John Lennon one). You asked me for something else, but probably don't remember/realize, and that's coming next week some time :) If you need a song to pump you up - or anyone - there is a song by an artist you haven't hit called Pump it Up (Elvis Costello). I might even request that one if you don't do it otherwise. Gotta be the video with his 'dancing' lol! he was banned from SNL for over a decade because he and the Attractions played the song they wanted rather than the one they were told. They started the one they were told, then he suddenly said 'I can't do this!' and told the guys to play the other one. lmao! Not their best song, at all, but you mentioned about a song pumping one up, and I thought of it. Elvis Costello would be a great artist to hit one of these days anyway. For another XTC, I think you will love Making Plans for Nigel, particularly the drumming! It was their first hit in 1979 (I believe that was the year).

@gerardmccavana4905 9 күн бұрын

Brilliant

@brewstergallery 6 ай бұрын

Andy on this, the two of them have distinct voices and composing styles. Andy is definitely more prolific but Colin, who is a superb bassist wrote the hits , Making Plans For Nigel, Life Begins at the Hop, Generals and Majors, Grass, The Meeting Place and King For A Day. Prarie Prince was the drummer for 70s weirdos The Tubes