XTC Albums Ranked

Shaggy reviews and ranks XTC’s quirky studio catalog…

[@gregorsamsa3247]

The quote "oranges and lemons" comes from the opening line in the beautiful track Ballet for a Rainy Day.

[@billkeon880]

Top 10-15 band for me along with Zappa, Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, E Costello, Byrds, REM, Dylan etc

[@graemeking7336]

Any XTC ranking is a worthy addition

[@robinjones6999]

underrated as fuck - just brilliant in all aspects

[@billkeon880]

Criminally underrated yes. Even the weakest for me is a 8-9/10 stars. Half the catalogue is 10/10. O&L, Skylarking, Black Sea, Nonsuch, Drums and the two Dukes of Strat are all easy 10’s

[@stevebeaney9684]

Don't forget the Crimson connection - the drums!

[@kevtruth]

I have English Settlement much higher. Fun band to rank. Skylarking and Drums & Wires are the top dogs for me. Yep these guys are lyrically sharp. The writing reminds me of The Kinks and Elvis Costello

[@JCStorm76]

Agree with you on English Settlement

[@Ross1966]

Nonsuch has always been my favourite.

[@BillsBoxOfSound]

Every XTC ranking video (including mine) is radically different. I love it! BTW, "Oranges and Lemons" is from "Ballet For A Rainy Day" on Skylarking.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I would rank them pretty much the same way. Love those Dukes records too and Fuzzy Warbles. Andy is still recording. He did Syd Barrett covers with Robin Hitchcock a couple of years ago. Great vid thanks

[@plopcoen6222]

A more substantial connection, perhaps, would be the album "Wing Beat Fantastic: Songs Written by Mike Keneally & Andy Partridge".

[@lancep4164]

Agree with Skylarking at #1. Dear God puts it over the top. Nonsuch would be my #2.

[@jessem470]

Fantastic ! Love XTC I think I heard a story that Kennelly brought Andy Partridge backstage to 88 show or maybe that’s how they met I guess another connection is they covered Ella Guru Shame Andy couldn’t handle live setting I have Andy’s Partridges Fuzzy Warlbles collection This man’s output is extraordinary

[@jessem470]

BTW totally agree with ranking

[@theopinionatedhippie470]

Fuzzy Warbles is fantastic!!!

[@theopinionatedhippie470]

And I forgot that Ella Guru connection. Thanks. I have been sitting on that since the Beefheart video….

[@jessem470]

I mentioned them on the Deep Drive request but I feel Super Furry Animals took XTC place for me in the 2000’s

[@plopcoen6222]

One of my very favourite bands; I’ve been into them since 1978... Nonsuch (1992) Skylarking (1986) Oranges & Lemons (1989) 25 O'Clock (1985) Psonic Psunspot (1987) Wasp Star (2000) Black Sea (1980) The Big Express (1984) Drums and Wires (1979) English Settlement (1982) Apple Venus (1999) White Music (1978) Go 2 (1978) Mummer (1983)

[@toddgrove2709]

Have to disagree about English Settlement. But thanks for this.

[@JCStorm76]

Not feeling it with Apple Venus Vol 1. Its too mellow for me. It’s probably my least favourite, i much prefer Wasp Star. But each to his own. I’d also rank English Settlement higher. The Big Express is underrated I agree. My favourite? Probably Black Sea.

[@shanewalsh2262]

My favourite band - period . I do have a real problem ranking the albums because it changes almost from week to week . And the swings can be dramatic - a certain album is really doing it for me at one point and another not so much . Then I reconsider and it all changes again . Does any one else have this issue ?!?!

[@shanewalsh2262]

Oh and All Along The Watchtower is epic ...

[@JCStorm76]

@@shanewalsh2262 Not me

[@simonagree4070]

I gather that you didn't think too highly of Barry Andrews' keyboards, since you don't mention his presence on the first two records (which are both at the bottom of your ranking).

[@paulayers1111]

When I “first really” got into XTC it was either “ten feet tall” or “generals and majors” or “respectable street”. I don’t know what it was exactly but for some reason it reminded me of those first two solo albums from Brian Eno. Weird quirky experimental pop rock

[@gregorsamsa3247]

The first XTC albums I got were Skylarking and Oranges and Lemons and my thoughts were I don't know how they could do better than these two.

[@sharktroubles]

It's no coincidence that three of your bottom four picks are albums devoid of Dave Gregory.

[@theopinionatedhippie470]

It is not. I wish I had noticed that when I made this video.

[@thrdgll1]

Let me guess. The best XTC album is ranked last. Again.

[@theopinionatedhippie470]

LOL....was it? Sorry....

[@chrismcclary108]

English Settlement is at least #2. Maybe #1. Skylarking #3

[@xtstevie]

Interesting choice & as a fan from before they signed to Virgin Records my least best to best is... 14 - Wasp Star 13 - XTC Go 2 12 - Oranges & Lemons 11 - Apple Venus 10 - 25 O'Clock 9 - White Music 8 - Skylarking 7 - Mummer 6 - The Big Express 5 - Psonic Psunspot 4 - Nonsuch 3 - Drums & Wires 2 - English Settlement 1 - Black Sea.... Wasp Star i never liked as it wasn't the album they should have ended with, Oranges & Lemons just an awful production, Skylarking to me has alwas been overrated & again poorly recorded & finally Black Sea is the best album of the 1980s & way way beyond.

[@JCStorm76]

Wasp Star sounds like vintage XTC. Apple Venus sends me to sleep