XTC- Miniature Sun & Chalkhills and Children (REACTION//DISCUSSION)

[@a.k.1740]

My two favorite tracks from Oranges & Lemons ! "Miniature Sun" which combines sweet (oranges) and sour (lemons), jazz and psychedelic pop then one of XTC's masterpieces "Chalkhills and Children", all weightless with an atmosphere very close to what The Beach Boys were doing in the mid 60's to the very early 70's. Simply beautiful ! Here is what Andy Partridge said about this second track: “This is largely about my rejection of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. I'm mundane. I like to gravitate toward the kids, privateness. I'm not into fame at all. When I get a slightly swelled head, it's nice to be punctured and drift down to earth and become stable again. Show business is really a dream and not what life's about. Life's about the glorious everyday. It's not really me when I'm treated like a famous person. This is real-life. Earth-colored.” Next XTC trip ? Of course you could listen to Black Sea, English Settlement, The Big Express, Skylarking or even Nonsuch but why not try their psychedelic alter ego The Dukes of Stratosphear with Chips from the Chocolate Fireball (which compiles their entire 1985 mini-album 25 O'Clock and the Psonic Psunspot album from 1987).

[@seanathans103]

17:13 they did this kind of reference for a few albums! Skylarking has the lyric "oranges and lemons" in "Ballet for a Rainy Day", this one has "nonsuch", and Nonsuch has the lyric "apple venus" in "Then She Appeared"

[@artrock101]

1) The lyrics to 'Chalkhills and Children' deal with Andy's feelings on his fame and issues with touring. The Chalkhills refer to the place XTC is from; Swindon, England.. the cover of English Settlement is the Uffington White Horse that is a prehistoric carving into the chalk hills outside Swindon. The Children refer literally to his kids/family and his desire to stay at home. "I'm soaring over hushed crowds/the reluctant cannonball, it seems/I'm soaring over hushed crowds, I'm propelled up here by long-dead dreams". I thought someone had sent you a book on XTC songs, if not there are a couple good ones out there where Andy himself explains it all. The skating over thin ice with soft-bladed skates while an imaginary net keeps him safe is definitely a metaphor for his anxiety from touring and how the management machine wasn't helping him at all... 2) Fade-outs are fine, it just depends on the song... 3) You can't really go wrong as far as what XTC album to hit next... they have 2 double albums, O&L and English Settlement, so as much as I LOVE the latter, they have a bunch of other great single albums you could hit first... but that's entirely up to you, or course. =)

[@markclamp5030]

I hate to be pedantic but wasn't Nonsuch a double album too, or would have been due to its 63 minute run time. 🙃

[@a.k.1740]

@@markclamp5030 Yes, I don't know why Nonsuch is not counted as a double album because its duration justifies it as such and moreover it was also released on vinyl originally !

[@artrock101]

@@markclamp5030 Yeah, you're right, never owned it on vinyl so that's probably why it didn't register in my head.

[@ruramikael]

The last balloon is probably the continuation of Chalkhills and Children.

[@MisterWondrous]

I had no idea they were so groovy, experimental and harmonious. I'll familiarize myself with their library. Another great choice! Both.

[@TONE11111]

youtube: andy partridge fuzzy warbles 👍

[@jameswarner5809]

Any XTC album will be a good one to listen to (including the two Dukes Of Stratosphere offerings), but I think The Big Express is perhaps the most underrated and deserving of attention.

[@fisongb]

Andy’s home of Swindon is founded on chalk hills, on Ermine Street, the old Roman road between London and York.

[@fisongb]

@@hammock879 No, you’re correct, just me confusing Ermine Street and Ermin Way/Street, the latter being the one in Swindon, connecting Gloucester and Silchester. Thanks for picking me up on that; if my grasp of geography was a little better, I might’ve smelt the same rat you did…

[@rosenfield10]

"Chalkhills and Children" sure reminds me of The Beatles and The Beach Boys... especially "God Only Knows". I love XTC. Huge fanatic for "Nonsuch".

[@sylvanm4216]

I somehow never noticed until just this listen the way, during the pre-chorus of "Chalkhills", the bassline repeatedly doubles in tempo, getting faster with each succeeding measure. A very striking effect, but I guess I'd only been subconsciously aware of it before!

[@marcribe6483]

I know I'll be outvoted but I'm a big fan of "Mummer". The lyrics and the stories they tell are so well presented and musically it's a top notch album. "Beating of Hearts", "Love on a Farmboy's Wages" and "Ladybird" are three options if a full album listen is out of the question.

[@ganazby]

Mummer is wonderful. In my top three XTC albums.

[@philbrook5655]

Mummer is fantastic in an understated way.

[@asxtc]

WHAT!!...Drums and Wires for me..

[@davidbriggs9675]

The 'polarity re-adjusted', version of Skylarking is probably my personal favourite album by XTX. But hey, I like all their albums apart from English Settlement. There, that's probably upset a few of you but having said that, I still like 50% of it anyway. What a great band.

[@Pcrimson1]

My vote for the next album is English Settlement. Now about these two songs, beautiful! These are prime examples of why I love this band.This is what real pop music should be, amazing!

[@markdrechsler5660]

These final two songs are full of Beach Boys vocalisms. Any XTC album would be great next. Someone else mentioned “The Big Express,” and I find that to be a severely underrated album. Ditto “Mummer.” So I’m going to give my vote to those two.

[@summertime_blooz]

Great album and it does seem to get underrated. Problem is they have so many great albums (and I'm not using the word "great" too liberally). I'd love for some reaction vids.

[@mondegreen9709]

Not sure about TBE, it's quite uneven and the production's a bit off imo (part of the reason I think why their label hooked them up with Rundgren for Skylarking), but Mummer's definitely underrated. Although that had mostly to do with them having stopped touring at that point and the lack of promotion.

[@delllittle5692]

Ah. yes. this album ends wonderfully as well! Chalkhills is one my favorite album ending tracks. I like things a bit chronologically. So I'd go back to Black Sea (not their first) and then English Settlement, mainly because these are my 2 favorite XTC albums and I think you'd love their drummer Terry Chambers. But Skylarking is just as bad ass and really different.

[@michellevesque7174]

I would start with a couple of songs from the two first album (This is pop, are you receiving me, Statue of Liberty). Then I would continue with full « Drums and wires » and with the others albums. The evolution of their music is interesting to follow.

[@TheProgCorner]

Another vote for English Settlement!!! We love XTC!!! ❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@Katehowe3010 me neither.

[@jtenaz]

Me yes. Love XTC. Underrated band.

[@groovytribemedia9231]

I'm voting for 'English Settlement' with my head, but my heart say's you'd really dig 'Mummer'. I only say that because Andy had heard 'Tin Drum' by Japan and wanted Steve Nye to produce their next album. It's a lot darker than pretty much any other XTC album. But I don't think you'd have a problem dealing with it. Should you want to sample a track from it first, I recommend 'Love On a Farmboys Wages' . Pastoral beauty.

[@jeffreymayes907]

Andy: “This is largely about my rejection of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. I'm mundane. I like to gravitate toward the kids, privateness. I'm not into fame at all. When I get a slightly swelled head, it's nice to be punctured and drift down to earth and become stable again. Show business is really a dream and not what life's about. Life's about the glorious everyday. It's not really me when I'm treated like a famous person. This is real-life. Earth-colored.”

[@michaelakkerman407]

SKYLARKING is considered thier masterpiece...I love every album differently another great one is NONSUCH...XTC IS SO UNDER APPRECIATED...

[@frankpentangeli7945]

In my view English Settlement has to be next. It's arguably their best album, and certainly my favourite. Cheers!

[@dbking4194]

Chalkhills is to do with the terrain in XTCs hometown of Swindon. Swindon is surrounded by chalk hills.

[@murdockreviews]

As great as Skylarking is, I think 'Apple Venus' is even more satisfying. Most of all, I'd like to see Justin compare this to earlier, more 'edgy' XTC. So my vote goes to either 'Black Sea' or 'English Settlement'.

[@jimbliss8216]

Thanks for completing O&L, Justin. I appreciate your insights! As a long-time fan of XTC, I don't have a strong opinion of where to go next. I've listened to all of them that others mention, and a couple that folks haven't: Apple Venus 1 & 2 (Wasp Star). Truthfully, they are such a talented band that I think any album choice would be good. Cheers!

[@RandyHall324]

I'll add another vote for Skylarking. I've got a bunch of XTC albums, but Skylarking was my first...if I'm asked for my desert island disc choices, it makes my list every time.

[@Charlton222]

Chalkhills and Children is about Andy's hometown of Swindon. Pretty sure he still lives there today. What a lovely, dreamy song.

[@thebrysmith3]

My vote’s for Black Sea, then English Settlement.

[@warrenbutson349]

Great review JP. I’m guessing you’d say Colin is a seriously unsung hero as a bassist and I’d agree. Really enjoyed your comments and glad the album is over as I struggle with it’s production and synth and drum sounds in many of the songs. English Settlement or Skylarking are fabulous as I grew up with them one is the last with Terry Chambers and still sounding like a band whilst the other is the one with Todd Rundgren which many consider their most accomplished album. Be interesting to hear your thoughts as always

[@AllBrightColors]

I love this album! I used to listen to it when I was sitting around on movie sets during down time . It’s a whole mood

[@debrabrabenec3731]

My suggestion to you, as a fan of XTC from the get-go (who was lucky enough to see them live 3 times) is to do a few songs from Drums and Wires ("Making Plans for Nigel", "When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty", "Millions") and Black Sea ( first 3 cuts and the last one)" then go chronologically from English Settlement onward and do the whole albums, as they get better and more varied with each one. It's a fun ride with our boys from Swindon!!

[@ecce_neru]

Another English Settlement vote!!!

[@stewartclark6436]

Chalkhills to be played at my funeral

[@dan_from_australia]

I like the temporary euphoric Beach Boys like chorus in the 'I think I'll float around her house' bit.

[@artrock101]

Y'know what would be a great thing to react to next from XTC? A live video... specifically, their slot in the film 'URGH! A Music War', which I know somebody sent you from an unboxing. They do the song "Respectable Street" from their 4th album, Black Sea, and it's an incredible performance! It certainly puts to rest any notion of Andy suffering from stage fright. Might help you put a face to all this great music, too. Even if you don't do a video of it, you should watch it ASAP, it's a highlight of that movie. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKexcqprrtuKhq8

[@summertime_blooz]

I'm happy I got a chance to see them live at The Bayou in DC. (was anybody else there?) And yes, Respectable Street is one their best. Cool suggestion.

[@buschovski1]

Partridge could really move then. A great line up and great performance. I watched them at the Rockaplast 1982 yesterday. What a great performance that one is too.

[@eddiecousinsjr]

This is my favourite review channel and was surprised to notice that you don't have more subscribers compared to others. You gotta blow up at some point surely? Keep going and cant wait for some more XTC reactions xxx

[@SteveMenardDesignDXM]

When Andy sings "Still I'm getting higher…", it always reminds me of Gino Vanelli (a great singer/songwriter of jazzy/pop tunes from Montreal who was popular in the 80s).

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

XTC often named their albums after a lyric in the previous album ("Oranges and Lemons" is mentioned in "Ballet for a Rainy Day" on "Skylarking, for instance) - hence "Nonsuch" in the lyrics. You really can't go wrong with any XTC album (though "White Music" and "Go2" might take a while to sink in). Next? Hmm... English Settlement, Black Sea, Mummer, Apple Venus, Nonsuch, Skylarking, Drums and Wires... you've got a long heady journey ahead! The cycle of sunrise to sunset (or summer to winter) is the concept of Skylarking - but go for English Settlement next :) Chalkhills and Children is one of my favourite XTC songs. It owes a great debt to Brian Wilson, and it always takes me back to my childhood in England, not far from the chalk hills which form a band across the south of the country from Gloucestershire to Kent (most famously reaching the sea at the cliffs of Dover), including the area around XTC's home town of Swindon.

[@courtneywallace871]

Hooray! Of course people are voting for Skylarking next, and rightfully so. But I still think this album is my favorite of theirs. Yes, English Settlement is good also, but no one mentions the wonderful little treat that is The Big Express! And Nonsuch and both volumes of Apple Venus are great also. You will eventually need to try more from The Dukes of Stratosphere, XTC’s psychedelic alter ego, even though I know you didn’t care much for the one track you did of theirs. Your view might change, now knowing who they really are. I also vote for some solo Adrian Belew stuff, especially the songs Swingline and Adidas in Heat.

[@courtneywallace871]

@@Katehowe3010 wow! I wouldn’t go that far. It’s taken Justin quite some time to get through this album, which is fine. But you make it seem like He’s been playing the heck out of XTC which just isn’t true.

[@Pcrimson1]

English Settlement is the one that finally sold me. Prior to that, it was just the singles. After that, every album is a gem. But English Settlement will always have a special place in my heart, love it!

[@disconsolatemoose6637]

What next? I'd be happy with anything starting from Drums & Wires onward. Between English Settlement & Mummer, you get some changes in the band's sound, after they stopped touring. So if you want to hear more of the "rock" XTC, I'd say Black Sea. If you want more along the lines of what O&L was, I'd say Skylarking.

[@mrnobody3161]

I've been meaning to get into more XTC, now I have to! Thanks for the XTC fans for requesting and thanks for posting JP.

[@JustJP]

Glad to hear you've enjoyed em!

[@markspooner1224]

As good as always, I vote for English Settlement next.

[@johnroberts1708]

Glad you have discovered XTC......it's a great journey. BTW....you are very astute.

[@JustJP]

Appreciated John!

[@maruad7577]

There are aspects of music from the late sixties and early seventies pop bands in these tracks. Mostly in the melodies/harmonies. I really liked this album. It was such a surprise for me.

[@Roddy1965]

Two of my fave XTC tunes. They're just so good.

[@WilliamCrowe-y8r]

XTC hail from Wiltshire which is a region in England comprised of many chalk hills. The illustration on the English Settlement cover is of a chalk hill carving.

[@edlawn5481]

The pilgrammage to Swindon and seeing the Uffington horse is on my bucket list. Swindon is my "Liverpool".

[@levilee207]

Have you considered listening to any Oingo Boingo? They're New Wave as well, albeit a fair bit higher energy. Their album Dead Man's Party is probably the best jumping off point, as their earlier stuff is pretty wacky

[@Jonni1027]

I bought this album when it came out cuz Bjork said it was a masterpiece haha, and it’s still one of my very favorite albums. Thanks for doing the whole thing

[@RexGroovi47]

When you get around to English Settlement ( best lp ever imo ), Please make sure it’s the import with 15 tracks , not the cheesy US version with 10

[@edwardwalters6289]

The chalk hills are actually a region west of London where the band members are from.

[@scottandrewbrass]

XTC are from Swindon in Wiltshire.71 miles or so from London. 36 miles from Bristol. Not part of London at all.

[@ragoodvin44]

I consider Black Sea to be the go to deep cut treasure for Xtc.

[@Yaktahbay]

A fabulous finish to this album. Now I'll want to give it another spin.

[@rosshulveyiii]

I think you would love XTC’s alter ego, Dukes of Stratosphear. It’s their tip-of-the-hat to psychedelic music, released on 1 LP and 1 EP.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Hey I am here early by chance. Two fantastic songs from this album I think the ending. Can’t wait to see your reaction and analysis I know you will love These two love you

[@jtenaz]

My vote for Apple Venus. Or Mummer. Or Big Express..

[@reneelyons6836]

NICE!!!!!!

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Afternoon Justin. Dave from a spring-like London. Oh, no! You've finished this classic album. I'm one of The Disappointed! Chalkhills and Children is probably my favourite track, and has a special significance for me as, like Andy, I was one of the children growing up among the Wiltshire chalkhills in southern England. I think the song is essentially nostalgic, and has a magically dreamlike quality (I read that it is influenced by The Beach Boys' Wind Chimes from Smile - news to me!). Happy for you to explore another XTC album in time; I'll leave the choice to you, except that my song ref The Disappointed is from the follow-up, Nonsuch.

[@kenl2091]

Chalkhills and Children is so Beach Boys that I'm sure that Brian Wilson snuck into the studio and did the arrangement while everyone else was at lunch.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

@@kenl2091 Agreed. Just been listening to Wind Chimes and there is definitely a similar feel.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

Said P.T. Barnum to Mr. & Mrs. Thumb, never mind your other Children. I'm only interested in your Miniature Sun (son?). Peace.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Love your offbeat comments, James. Hope you're doing OK.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

@@gaiaeternal5131 Doing fine thanks, just juggling life away in this three-ring circus, with the lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Peace.

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@jamespaivapaiva4460 I was doing that earlier, only I was literally juggling.

[@brewstergallery]

Chalk hills refers to famous hillsides in England. Think of the cover of English Settlement.

[@JustJP]

Ahh got it, ty ty Janet

[@eddiecousinsjr]

Mummer or Big Express next please

[@geniousatqw]

Song suggestion: Opinions Band; The Fixx Album: Reach the Beach

[@summertime_blooz]

Happy to see you coming back to XTC so soon and finishing out the album with these two great tracks. I love XTC so much that I hope you'll continue to discover their music with your intelligent reaction videos. Thanks for all your Oranges and Lemons videos.

[@-davidolivares]

Skylarking and English Settlement, hmm, let’s see… for a variation in “feel”, I’d go ES. Overall it’s more calmer, less crazy, different producer, etc. Skylarking (I know, diff producer also, jeez), is closer to Oranges & Lemons, in that it has a more similar “feel”. Idk, either one will do. Someone should have given you a Skylarking shirt too but, the English Settlement cover is a chalk hill drawing… I wouldn’t mind Black Sea actually. Peace and axe tea sea Music

[@raymondregis6219]

Chalkhills are literally a finely grained white mineral. Look up the white cliffs of dovers to see.

[@spoteach]

Don't forget Black Sea!

[@mastertoymaker5249]

Think I am going to have buy a lot of XTC albums

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Two wonderful tracks to close this album. "Chalkhills" would rank up there for me in the upper tier of the XTC catalog. A dreamy beautiful song about rejecting fame for life's simple beauty and joy. "English Settlement" would be a WONDERFUL place to go next. I consider one of XTC's Top 3 albums... A wide variety of styles on there, as well... but so much gold to mine. Also: Don't sleep on Nonsuch, and Apple Venus Vol. 1. ...along with Skylarking (pastoral beauty) and Black Sea (sharp and loud pop at its finest)... And PLEASE make sure along your discovery path to make some time for a DUKES OF STRATOSPHEAR catalog reaction... I know you did a 25 O'Clock reaction... but there's another 5 songs on that EP, plus the full length "Psonic Psunspot" album worth of GORGEOUS, PLAYFUL, BRILLIANT pop in the best 60s homage ever recorded. (speaking of which: There's an incredible song from some Nick NIcely that inspired XTC's ventures into the psychedelic 60s. He recorded this song in 1980-81 and it's well worth your time to check out. "Hilly Fields 1892" is a carnival packed into a pop song. Once again... thank you, Justin... Always fun seeing your videos pop up in my subscription feed... and it's always rewarding. Cheers!

[@JustJP]

Ty Klaas :)

[@kato0828]

SKYLARKING. 100% next.

[@jasonbrandt5504]

Wherever you go you can't go wrong. Suggest you do Complicated Game (from Drums and Wires) as a one off, and maybe do Skylarking side 1 or 2 as a long side Saturday (its hard to do that album as individual tracks). Black Sea is a song by song would work well as would English Settlement. But Mummer awesome too (darker).

[@brumleytwitch6265]

Although "English Settlement" is many fans' favorite, "Skylarking" is generally considered their best and most interesting album - and it is closer in tone to this one. I would listen in this order: Skylarking, English Settlement, Mummer.

[@GatheringMoss]

Whatever you pick you can’t go wrong with xtc. I’m curious though…When you listen to such brilliance for the first time, one track at a time, aren’t you driven towards repeat listening? I would go crazy not listening to the entire album or waiting weeks/months to get to the next track. Does Oranges and Lemons now become something you’ll throw on in the car to get the album experience or do you just move on because of the nature of the reaction vids gig you’ve got going here?

[@GatheringMoss]

@@Katehowe3010 Don’t know what matter of opinion you’re referring to in my comment. Perhaps you meant to comment on someone else’s praise for Xtc? Regardless, if you don’t get it you don’t get it and of course literally every ounce of praise or condemnation about anything and everything is a matter of opinion.

[@jtenaz]

@@Katehowe3010 XTC are the Captain Beefheart of the pop, eccentric music, not for all palates. They not are the fucking Oasis.

[@JustJP]

If I'm going through an album on the channel, I'll usually listen to the songs I've done here up to where I've left off. So yup, NOW that I'm done with O&L, I can finally listen to it completely. The other thing is that I listen to so much other music and explore other stuff on my own that I don't cover on the channel, I'm not really left "wanting" so to speak.

[@randygray8921]

I'll stick to my early favorites, drums and wires and skylarking.. lol

[@markclamp5030]

Another great review JP. Please review SKYLARKING next. SKYLARKING was originally a single disc album compared to English Settlement which is another double album, which by the way was reduced to a single disc when released in the USA and was missing some of its best tracks. Also, SKYLARKING was produced by Todd Rundgren and his influence, and sometimes even is playing, is all over it. The UK release of ES consists of 15 tracks and a run time of 72 minutes, SKYLARKING has 14 tracks but a run time, of a much less daunting, 45 minutes of music.

[@cadanrichards2615]

And congrats you have finsished Oranges and Lemons. You should really do Skylarking next which is their best album in my opinion. Possibly one of the greatest albums ever

[@eddiecousinsjr]

or Nonsuch

[@brucer2152]

JP, are you ready for the march Basho?!!?

[@JustJP]

Oh 100%! First day was great! Good to see Takayasu back and in form! Ura is always a good sport too (even when losing)

[@brucer2152]

@@JustJP Oh yeah, was good to see the Bear get that first win. And Enho!

[@32INCHSTRIPER]

Your next XTC album should be English Settlement if only for Colin's bass on Jason & The Argonauts.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

I vote for sky Larking Pure Pop for now people!

[@sicko_the_ew]

Enjoyed listening to the album with you. (Would normally not have said so, and just left it to be taken as a given fact, and gone straight to blurting - when in blurt mode - but there you go. Just in case.) Dave Gregory joined *Tin Spirits* after XTC. I think you'll like their *Little Eyes* kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKnUmYePodRjoc0

[@georgesonm1774]

Two of their best songs?

[@nicholaswerner8170]

Yes, I watch you when you do my favorite bands. XTC, Sparks, any classical music. I'm so disappointed you didn't get into Oingo Boingo when you first listened to them, my all-time favorite band. You know the frontman was Danny Elfman, of film score fame? Listen to the track Only a Lad, it won't disappoint.

[@artrock101]

Boingo were always a better live band, their studio albums can sound a bit stiff... as such, I think the album Boingo Alive (recorded live without an audience in a theater after being in top form from touring) is really amazing, and those versions have become the definitive versions for me.

[@robertwood4678]

2 of my favourites, miniature sun to me seems to be about atomic bombs, and chalk hills about fame. Skylarking next

[@1mbpdf33]

This is probably very controversial but I don't rate English Settlement that highly. I think it is bloated with filler. If they had removed a few tracks (namely Knuckle Down, Melt The Guns, Leisure and Nearly Africa) it would have been a much stronger album imo. It also has an "unfinished" quality about it, like highly polished demos. My vote goes to the Dukes of Stratosphear next. That is great fun!

[@artrock101]

Y'know, they actually released a single-disc version of it, which is kinda rare, so you are definitely not alone in thinking that, lol...

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

I enjoyed hearing these mellower, less pop-centric efforts but throughout the video I kept wondering whether "Spilt Milk" by Jellyfish really is as good as I say it is. Only one way to find out. Alternatively, "Guerilla" by Super Furry Animals should keep you on your reactive toes. Needless to say I'm bored of suggesting "Born Sandy Devotional" to you again so l'll end by saying: "Stephen Duffy sings "I hear Music in Color I see it in the air" " . A mighty fine album. So to remind you, that's Jellyfish SFA OK The Triffids Stephen Duffy & Dr Nigel Kennedy But u could choose to play safe hof course. Your decision. Freedom is Underrated. (If u do Guerilla there's a secret track b4 track 1!) Diolch.

[@frugalseverin2282]

Yes "English Settlement" has a lot of fans but I'm more discriminating. "Mummer" is shorter with much better songs. It opens with an eastern flavored tune and has a couple of darker songs in addition to a scathing commentary on what passed for music at the time, still relevant, in 'Funk Pop a Roll'. I think it's their best album.

[@edlawn5481]

Ladybird is absolutely brilliant.

[@robertjewell9727]

Great reaction I'm voting for SKYLARKING. I'm wondering whether to share this with Pat. I've shared a few of your reactions with him before. But he rarely comments on them for some reason. What do you think?

[@kevinrice70]

Are chalkhills not simply decomposed bones (looks like chalk) and children, well, children? Basically, you start as one (child), you end as the other (chalkhill, in this case)? In other words, it doesn't matter what you did in your life, fame or otherwise, you start and end exactly the same? So, according to the song, seeking fame is a waste of time, because you all end up exactly the same, famous or not.

[@pentagrammaton6793]

I don't hate these songs, but...it's the dreadful 80s brass synths and overall tinny production that makes it all sound pretty awful to my ears. Also, the singer sounds like Simon le Bon crossed with Kermit the Frog.

[@eddiecousinsjr]

I like Kermit and Simon le Bon, so perfect mix for me!😊

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@eddiecousinsjr hahaha! It takes all sorts! 😆

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@Katehowe3010 I'm...just not sure. XTC strike me as distinctly vanilla.

[@maruad7577]

@@pentagrammaton6793 Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies said vanilla is the finest of the flavours in "one week".

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@maruad7577 There's only one musical flavour worse than vanilla: irony.

[@georgesonm1774]

Two of their best songs?

[@jtenaz]

Yes. And other 80 songs...