XTC- Melt The Guns REACTION & REVIEW

[@shanewalsh2262]

Written 43 years ago and sadly more relevant than ever . And what a great song . Touche' yet again from the boys .

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

My very first trip, we were taken for a drive by one of our "babysitters" in his silver Trans Am.. Upon our return to home base this was the song playing . There were 4 of us first timers. We decided, as a body, that the answer was, of course, to melt the guns. We also decided to write to the PM to tell him of our plan to end all gun violence: melt the guns! So simple we couldn't understand why no one else had ever thought of it.

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

The "ticking" drum is like a clock, counting down the time we have left to cure the "disease" of gun violence. And that snare represents gunshots - perfectly placed against the lyric (starting "if you listen quietly...")

[@coolguy36393]

love terry’s drum work on this song

[@robertbelknap7]

Quite a coincidence that I find this 3 days after it's posted and the day of a campus shooting at UNC Chapel Hill where my daughter attends. XTC's plea continues to ring true. Stay safe, everyone.

[@johnmavroudis2054]

A song that's sadly as relevant (if not more) today as it was the day it was written. XTC speaks on every topic under the sun and they're usually dead-on in their assessments. Just a remarkable track. Love the song and the album. XTC is a treasure. Your take on it was spot on... as Andy Partridge's lyrics perfectly encapsulate the situation here.

[@joedunch5271]

Melt the Guns and Snowman are just genius

[@sheldonhowells3083]

I would highly recommend watching on KZbin, Chanan Hanspal's fascinating interview with Andy ( XTC's Andy Partridge- How I Write Songs). Andy talks in some depth about his writing of several of the songs from, "English Settlement", including, "Melt The Guns". He mentions how some of the chords were lifted from another song which he had abandoned, called, "Holding The Baby". Andy Partridge goes on to talk about how shocked he was, on the band's first visit to New York, when got out of a cab and the first thing he saw was a chalk outline on the ground of a dead body!

[@TZ61]

I'm going to check that out. Thanks.

[@SelmaNerdrum]

I totally agree, I have been binging those interviews lately - they offer such a great perspective and give even more depth to the songs written by Andy

[@antlermagick]

I've always thought this one was underrated. One of my favourites on the album, along with Leisure

[@marcelkrug8839]

I love the weirdness in XTC's songs. And this one is soooo weird in the most lovely way. Andy Partridge is a genius!!! By the way: Great production work by Hugh Padgham, who at that time was also very busy with The Police and Genesis...

[@stephenf6691]

One of the greatest albums and songs of all time. Thank you brother.

[@gidgetmaurer123]

The drumming on this track still kills me. I think a lot of fans agree this is their overall best album.

[@yes_head]

I know this is a favorite of many from this album. It is catchy as hell, and is the kind of thing you can give to someone who asks "So what is XTC all about?"

[@a.k.1740]

"Melt the Guns" is the longest track on the album at 6.34 minutes, but the song goes by very quickly. Andy is on acoustic guitar while Dave plays arpeggios on a 12-string electric guitar. There's a lot going on vocally and instrumentally, but the production and sound is wide and sparse. I really like Colin's fretless playing and obviously Terry on drums is awesome as usual even if he does less compared to other songs. There are no tracks to remove from English Settlement. I would even add one or two B-sides from the same period as the band's inspiration was so fertile at that time !

[@-davidolivares]

Yessss… the b-sides were brilliant too. We need a b-side Sunday.

[@a.k.1740]

@@-davidolivares I agree ! ...and regarding XTC, there are quite a few!!!!

[@DavidImiri]

Play 'em JP!

[@kevinmottram9491]

This song nearly caused a riot at a gig in Germany, when a group of locally based, inebriated, US servicemen took exception to the calling out of Uncle Sam's militaristic bent!

[@delllittle5692]

Absolutely love this tune. Would listen to it over and over. This is why Terry Chambers was one of my favorite drummers. this whole album and Black Sea really show off his uniqueness.On the Single LP version that I got to know first, this 2nd side would start with this, then go right into "No Thugs...." then "It's Nearly Africa" Then "English Roundabout" Those 4 kept this in replay so much. Then the cassette was worn out. And check this out, Andy on how he wrote this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYvdmZ2dhtZ2gKssi=j2gptbzmjisYIDuO&t=2601

[@warrenbutson349]

Love everything about this track it’s pretty original in its construction and the lyrics are excellent whilst Just as you say Justin so much room and clarity in the production. Fab album track and as someone else said sad this track is as relevant now as ever

[@rdumontdebeque]

One of the albums highlights.

[@jean-pierrebolduc2837]

The Hugh Pagdam's production on this album (also the producer of "Synchronicity" and the album "Genesis") is just splendid.

[@manhattenman6075]

Underrated song and a great tune. Waited for you do this one.

[@-davidolivares]

Melt the guns ahhhhhh… Terry the drum machine. MTGs 1982, Overjoyed 1985… I can hear a bit. Loving this album reactions… even though I play English Set pretty often… I also vote for the b-sides to be reacted to, they’re really good.

[@gentillygirl545]

This entire album is a beautiful listen from beginning to end. The trick is to listen to the lyrics.

[@Kevvinm]

One of my favorite reactions from you. It reminded of the first time I heard it as I previewed for my college radio station. The whole album blew me away , but this track in particular.

[@eyesofchild]

Their calling out America for its adolescent behavior is so delicious to someone who sees all conflict as always regretful. Occasionally necessary. Never glorified.

[@markdrechsler5660]

One of the best tunes on the album.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Hi Justin. Dave here, back in London after a Seaside Rendezvous. Been enjoying your reactions to this album and here I really like the acoustic guitar driving the rhythm and melody. As for the song, now that jfergs has commented about the chorus sounding a bit like Prince Charming, it's sticking with me too!

[@jayburdification]

Didactic and devastating. Exactly how I like my protest songs. ☮️ +❤

[@DavidImiri]

This album rocks so strong, and this is such a standout track - one among many. I think of English Settlement in some strange idiosyncratic way as their "White Album". Not quite as diverse, but such a wide range of material, and so many perfect little gems of songs. It's always a joy.

[@TZ61]

It's been demonstrated for a long time now that we are not going to learn from our mistakes, and I wonder if it's with that sad resignation, coupled, of course, with their dry wit, that this song is performed. Thanks for the upload.

[@YeSLeDrawTUM]

Prefab Sprout's Jordan the comeback album please 😢

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

All in one sitting. O wot a banquet. Absolutely Crucial.

[@groovytribemedia9231]

My favourite band. They can do no wrong in my ears. Well, maybe except for their only ever cover version of 'All Along The Watchtower' by Bob Dylan. I don't hate it, but I also don't rate it. (Chortle).

[@Nidels]

Wow

[@glibmedley2314]

I recall skipping over this song back when I had this very good LP. Reminds me of hiccups.

[@murdockreviews]

Great track opening side 3, which features the most idiosyncratic tracks of the album, imo. The next few are a bit weaker, but the album picks up again in the last quarter.

[@robertobrasini5294]

love them

[@wesleyrodgers886]

The rutles. Piggy in the middle.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

due to hoffsbring duty I never got round to really gettin to grips with this LP. Or band. This ? It's known as Partridge Yodelling Syndrome and Repetitive Chorus Defect and I tend to identify it too easily. I can't help it. I'm fightin it though. 4More Melodies and/or Melancholy try The Lilac Time's "Fields" from 1989's "& Love For All" . Duffy's voice is vulnerable and warm. Andy's is Quirk Incorporated. Diolch.

[@jtenaz]

They are too much eccentric for some people. Maybe you like more his latest albums? Nonsuch or Apple Venus.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

@@jtenaz I was keen on buying Apple Venus when it came out but eventually forgot. Their first two LPs sound energetic enough to wake me from my apathy now.

[@wowwhywow]

it seems that the message isn't that clear. God knows why.

[@jfergs.3302]

Though a fan, even by the bands noted, quirky standards, this was pretty rough. Not a fan of this 'un. And that chorus, was that not just Prince Charming speeded up... well it's all I could hear.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

I now can't get Prince Charming out of my head!

[@jfergs.3302]

@@gaiaeternal5131 Sorry about that 🙂

[@sylvanm4216]

XTC vs. Adam Ant! Similar vocal cadence on the hook, different melody/chords/structure. The comparison is interesting - it really highlights to me how tight XTC were as a band. I like both songs, but as highly arranged as it is, "Prince Charming" is practically a cappella - the instruments serve mainly to make it sound bigger. Whereas XTC is really locking together all these different parts rhythmically to add more bounce to the ounce.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@sylvanm4216 Interesting 🤔

[@kevinmccready4114]

This track and Down In The Cockpit are the only tracks on this album I dislike

[@jaybird4093]

Any plans to Rehumanize Yourself with The Police?

[@JustJP]

Comin' next week :)

[@garyclarke2808]

THESE ARE THE BEST BAND EVER FROM ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME , PERIOD ! Yes there better than the BEETLES by LIGHT YEARS ! There music is just a bit too clever for the average JOE ! or otherwise they wold have been running the planet by now ! .