XTC- No Language in Our Lungs (First Listen)

[@justaguy1451]

Black Sea is not only brilliant and original, but also very well recorded and mixed. Perhaps the most beloved album by the fans. So many great songs here and the band is so damn tight. Some of my favourites songs off this: 'Respectable Street', 'Love at first sight' and 'Generals and Majors'.

[@goctagonrecovery3270]

Black Sea blows my mind, not only for how incredible the songwriting is but also for how inventive and before it's time it is. This song in particular has such a modern sound to it. This record could be released by an indie band today and would sound just as fresh and interesting.

[@garymcghee2249]

Indeed. The genius of the Bridge. XTC are masters of this. It opens the whole song right up. x

[@trondsatre8615]

"Black Sea" is one of my definite favorite XTC albums. I would have recommended starting with "Respectable Street" or "Tower of London", but this one works as well.

[@-davidolivares]

Oh man, you made a left turn. Awesome, and Black Sea to boot. Whoa... The whole album is great, love it, so muscular. I’m sure a lot the guitar is Andy. His tone and quirky angular phrasing is so important to guitar period. Underrated for sure. Not to disparage Dave, he’s a mega force. Also, shows their love for the Beatles with that lovely breakdown. I already dug the song, but this channel just amplifies my interest and knowledge, very cool. Your analysis, whether agreed to or not is fun to interact with, plus the community. Made my day dood. Peace and Music

[@sylvanm4216]

Yeah, especially during this era of the band, the guitar fireworks really come from the sparks between Andy and Dave's playing. They're both great players in their own way, (with Dave usually handling the more melodic, fiddly leads and Andy the more weird and jazzy sounding ones) and their slashing twin-guitar rhythm work contributes a ton of bounce on top of the already great rhythm section.

[@-davidolivares]

@@sylvanm4216 I have a ‘77 Ibanez Artist similar to Andy’s... my XTC guitar.

[@trondsatre8615]

I've heard this song a hundred times, but up until now I never caught on the meta message behind the line "I would've made this instrumental, but the words got in the way"

[@-davidolivares]

ditto.

[@kevtruth]

Yeah, same here

[@stevenmurano7863]

c'mon man really ?? :O). i usually miss things like that and often never learn words to songs...but that''s one i did get. always clever these guys..

[@-davidolivares]

@@stevenmurano7863 You are a better man than me.

[@stevenmurano7863]

@@-davidolivares hahahahaha

[@dominiqueattali5686]

Le meilleur album de tous les temps!!!!!!!!

[@warrenbutson349]

You describe the punch of the guitars and the dry gated drums and that is very much the sound of this album. It’s stripped down to the muscle of their live sound at the time and as few overdubs were made. I love this album as was about my 3rd album I ever bought but newer listeners to XTC may find it less developed as their later studio efforts when they had stopped touring. I love the power and excitement they had in these days and Terry Chambers powerhouse drum sound was amazing in the very early days of that gated drum made famous by Phil Collins and same engineer the wonderful Hugh Pagham

[@kevinmottram9491]

Hi Justin, so pleased that you went with this, my first recommendation to you (and you used my comment in the montage at the beginning!), and that you liked it! I get three different aspects to the 'no language' that Andy sings about. Firstly, there's the viewpoint that whilst we all have the power of language, we're not always listened to. Secondly, for some, they just don't dare to say what they mean/think (I'm thinking Chinese, North Koreans etc here) and thirdly there are those that speak largely just for the sake of it, and here I see politicians who say so much, but have little or no substance behind it. That's just my take on it anyway! Keep on going with XTC, they are my favourite band of all time and one day they will be yours too (maybe!).

[@jameswarner5809]

If you get round to Living Through Another Cuba from Black Sea, do it along with Love At First Sight as they flow together. They also both have some gloriously whacky chords in them.

[@TheProgCorner]

After Yes and Genesis, XTC is my favorite band!!! And Black Sea is a great record!!! Drums & Wires is my selection for best XTC album.

[@imbwildrd3693]

Agreed! Drums and Wires is my fav too. I just saw Terry Chambers a few months back, he's performing with his XTC cover band EXTC. Check 'em out, they're VERY good, I was actually surprised that I didn't miss Colin, Andy, and Dave...I was just so happy to be sitting in a small venue listening to the best music with Terry Chambers behind the drums. The lead singer actually performed in a band with Terry and Colin called TC and I and got lessons from Andy Partridge on how to sing and play in the Andy Partridge way (and he did!). It was an amazing show!!

[@artrock101]

Rocket From A Bottle is my jam on this record... a euphoric banger with one of my favorite guitar solos. Black Sea is chock full of great music. Enjoy.

[@jasperchance3382]

Brilliant

[@jasperchance3382]

and 'Burning with optimism's flame' is also fantastic

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

No gleam in our hearts.no pep in our step,no brains in our heads-welcome to the machine,where the loudest bell is muffled and the sweetest song silenced! Peace and protest the status quo loudly it's X.T.C.

[@LoaRicardo]

Black Sea is one of my favorites, alongside with English Settlement and Skylarking

[@-davidolivares]

Big three...

[@sarahjane8146]

Could not agree more

[@nicholaswerner8170]

Keep going with XTC!! Nonsuch is my favorite album.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Fantastic Song and album. Great reaction.

[@hustonbop]

Love ❤️ this song!!! Thank you!!!

[@JustJP]

Ty Huston! Glad you enjoyed them

[@rogerhennie8939]

One of the best tracks from the best album from ‘early’ XTC.

[@jimbliss8216]

Justin, love the way you caught the artistic presentation that XTC provides with this song. They seem to make the most mundane of human experiences rich with expression. Oh, and one last thought: as a native English speaker, there are concepts that English doesn't do justice (but other languages might). I always interpreted the lyrics in this way.

[@bensteckler6698]

One of my favorite XTC songs! I remember buying this in the Fallof my Freshman year at Penn State the first day I saw it in the store. I'd discovered XTC about two years before via a video show called "JukeBox," hosted by Twiggy, that used to come on locally right after SNL in my hometown. That night I first heard "Life Begins at the Hop" and "Making Plans for Nigel" I was Hooked!

[@Bob.L.Shirley]

Starting my day with XTC again, JP! Nice! I liked them before, but Black Sea was the point where I really started loving this band, and then English Settlement... woah. All good from here out for me. Andy's vocals/wordplay, Andy and Dave's guitars teaming up, and then Colin - as much as you loved that change up in the bass, you should check out Explode Together: Dub Experiments. It's a remix album made during sessions from Drums And Wires and Black Sea. Interesting stuff. It's great to see you getting into the band and there's so much more to come!

[@stevenmurano7863]

THANK YOU !!! and thank to whoever recommended this one!! my favorite song by them (off of my favorite album by them). great great song. i really like how dave resolves the 'solo' . such an interesting and unique band. it's often hard for me to hear their influences, but this one has a bit of a beatles influence....

[@summertime_blooz]

Always nice to see your thoughtful reaction to an XTC song since I love them so. As good as Oranges and Lemons is they have a bunch of albums that are even better, like Black Sea. 'Respectable Street' from Black Sea is a must-listen

[@michlev9390]

Always great reaction as usual! Great album! All good songs on this one. I have a little edge for Burning with optimistic flames (catchy, spacy, original rythme )

[@rafaelborgesdas]

Great song from my favourite band ever, I hope you keep going into XTC, they're so underated. I recommend you to listen to Skylarking next (the whole album)

[@ArmchairRamb0]

The trick on this song is Gregory's Beatles "Abbey Road" segments. A contender for XTC's best song. Gregory is a terrific guitarist. The lyrics are terrific too, Andy's angry because of the limitations of speech in expressing meaning. That's some deep stuff. Agree, Gregory's guitar is ear candy.

[@edgeofnow]

Black Sea, English Settlement and Mummer are my favorite XTC albums. Please check them out. I am sure that you too will dig them.

[@joemaurone7923]

Never heard this before...very Beatle-esque, to use a phrase that's been used before (never...ever...:P ) . The guitar that mirrors the title lyric reminds me a bit of the guitar line from "And Your Bird Can Sing"...

[@jaybird4093]

“She Said, She Said” is what I thought when I first heard the guitar.

[@joemaurone7923]

@@jaybird4093 Makes sense; same album...

[@disconsolatemoose6637]

Black Sea was my first introduction to XTC and this is one of my favorite XTC songs.

[@frankpentangeli7945]

This entire album, as well as the next two albums form a masterpiece trilogy in my book. EVERY song slays! I adore XTC, and it's because of Black Sea, English Settlement and Mummer. I love their other records too, don't get me wrong (particularly Nonsuch), but those three give me goose bumps.

[@gregdavis4978]

This album is totally worthy of a full reaction. The first XTC album I bought and I fell in love.

[@jaybird4093]

Rated PG for Pretty Good! 💚 I like the guitar chords and how they’re voiced (how the pitches are stacked) along with the overall sound of the recording. I’m beginning to like XTC, they’re unique.

[@markspooner1224]

Wonderful album, great song and nice review. 3 out of 3!

[@JustJP]

😁

[@WarrenCromartie2]

Black Sea is a great album. It's worth exploring track by track. I'm tempted to say it's their best album, but then they never made a bad album, and Drums & Wires, English Settlement, Mummer & Skylarking are all up there in my book. NLIOL is arguably one of the weaker tracks on the album.

[@markdrechsler5660]

“Black Sea” is one of the most consistently solid XTC albums. Great from beginning to end. It’s worth a full dive after you finish “O&L.” I’ve always found this song a bit slow, though lyrically it’s great, typical Partridge.

[@hustonbop]

Yes!!!

[@LouisMenotti]

Thanks for this! Love from England. Not far from Swindon actually.

[@michaelakkerman407]

I cant hit the like button more than once😡... more XTC Your killing me not playing XTC- THE WHEEL AND THE MAYPOLE. I get it though. There is so much greatness. Love this song 1,000× over. As much XTC as you can, you are the only reactor doing them and they deserve to be heard.

[@sylvanm4216]

Not many long-running bands can claim to have released possibly their best song ever as the final track on their final album, but "The Wheel and the Maypole" makes a case for itself.

[@michaelakkerman407]

@@sylvanm4216 I have been trying to get him to do that song long before he did Making Plans For Nigel. And he seems to avoid it at every corner. I even requested Easter Theater once just to see if he would do that. Of course he did that...

[@JustJP]

I'll get to it, there's lots of XTC and so little time 😅

[@michaelakkerman407]

@@JustJP don't I know, that why I'm not hassling you at all. I'm just so happy someone is doing XTC and it makes me giddy.

[@a.k.1740]

Great song ! I've always thought that Drums and Wires, Black Sea & English Settlement (with Terry Chambers and Dave Gregory) were XTC's strongest albums (although I really like the ones that followed). the departure of Terry Chambers in 1982 definitely changed the character and sound of the band, making them less powerful and earthy. Justin, once you've finished the Oranges & Lemons album, you could tackle these three essential albums in XTC's career.

[@deanventuroli2225]

Great tune......

[@1nelsondj]

An odd pick, there are 4 other songs on this album that were released as singles. This one plods a bit for me but it's not bad. The topic itself reminds me of 'Tip of My Tongue' by The Tubes, another band you need to hear more of.

[@sylvanm4216]

Not as infectious as some of the more upbeat stuff from this album like "Generals & Majors" and "Burning with Optimism's Flames", but I do love the feeling of it. Justin, while you're jumping around, you might want a taste of XTC's punk-flavored beginnings, with tracks like "Statue of Liberty", "This Is Pop", and "Are You Receiving Me?" They also did an absolutely unhinged dub-influenced cover of "All Along the Watchtower" that I love but I know has its detractors. I think XTC's first album would be remembered more as an absolute classic of its era if it hadn't been overshadowed by the rest of their long and productive career.

[@mtrimm1]

Loved their "Watchtower" cover. Brutal.

[@Biofilmz]

First ever XTC listen for me. Embarrassingly, this the first time I said the name out loud and realized what it meant. This is especialIy sad because I have seen their name for years - being a Yes fan, the XTC albums were always right next to the Yes records/tapes/cds. This shares some sonic similarities with Adrian Belew solo stuff, but certainly their own beast, and quite good at that..

[@TheProgCorner]

Yes and XTC - the two best bands ever!!!

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Enjoy the journey! You'll find one treasure after another throughout their entire catalog.

[@dyrkeschaefer]

I love the chord progressions in this track.

[@jasperchance3382]

masterpiece

[@juleskazen7057]

This bridge that you love plus the bridge on Towers of London on this album might be two of the best if all time in my book. Check out Towers of London for an equally impressive bridge. Appreciate you gave feedback on the lyrics because so few reactions do that.

[@Ternuj]

I have just bought new headphones and thought of returning them after playing this video because of noise! Then I remembered that you have fan in the room that is making that noise! I guess these are some nice headphones that finally I hear your fan, which you've complained about in your studio tour video!

[@JustJP]

Lol! Sorry about that😅

[@murdockreviews]

Working title for that album at one point was 'Work under Pressure' BTW

[@ramblerandy2397]

Is there any modern day wordsmith who comes anywhere close to Andy Partridge [sorry Colin]. Andy is consistently brilliant with his words and phrasing. And he happens to be a first class song composer too. I'm almost jealous but I just listen and admire. No Language... was a slow burner for me, until one day it just clicked. Now it's just an ol' buddy. I smile every time I hear it. Black Sea is probably the most accessible XTC album to newbies, and sometimes it's my favourite. But they all have their moments and I truly can't decide. At the moment I'm really into GO2 again, and 5 years ago I would never have said that. Never say never, eh?

[@scodee]

10 songs you must review: Airport - The Motors Everybody's gotta to learn Sometimes - The Korgis The Great Dominions - The Teardrop Explodes The Sweet Life - Its Immaterial Marvellous - The Lightning Seeds Armageddon days are here again - The The Duel - Propaganda Nobody's Diary - Yazoo Cruel - Prefab Sprout Seconds - The Human League

[@garyking2622]

Pirates of the Caribbean was just a gleam in Jerry Bruckheimer's eye when this came out

[@asxtc]

'Books are burning' is similar but more refined.

[@frankrodriguez9553]

Andy is saying that our language cannot drape our emotions. The travesties of life leave us unable to cloak our emotions with words. Our language lacks the tools to handle the depravity of mankind.....

[@manhattenman6075]

Do you know I was just listening to Mayor of Simpleton And King for a day just now and you uploaded. XTC is one of those bands with so many bangers and just all of them have loads of stuff to offer.

[@-davidolivares]

I prefer “thinkers”...

[@JustJP]

Good timing😄

[@michaelbedford8017]

It was inspired by Andy's grandmother getting him socks again for Christmas.

[@johnmavroudis2054]

lol

[@maruad7577]

Interesting. I didn't get enough sleep so I closed my eyes and let the music and mental images wash over me. It was better that way.

[@JustJP]

🌊

[@gerardodoherty9178]

Another interesting choice and reaction. Try "Yacht Dance" from English Settlement. You'll love it

[@murdockreviews]

That plus "All of a sudden".

[@sylvanm4216]

Weirdly, "Yacht Dance" is the one track from English Settlement I've never quite _loved_ …although I admire its construction in the abstract. To me, the album peaks with the closing wallop of "English Roundabout"-seguing-into-"Snowman". Maybe the most fully realized form of early XTC's wild clangorous proggy hyper-funk. Definitely recommended as a taster!

[@delllittle5692]

What happened to Terry Chambers? One of my favorite drummers.

[@Pcrimson1]

Hmmm...not the usual XTC "hit" you hear on the new wave Sirius stations or the college/alternative Stations back in the day. But it's good one! Thanks for making my day.

[@JustJP]

Anytime!

[@thebrysmith3]

Well done, sir. Now go back and start from the first song and enjoy album!

[@Drumjug68]

I always thought the song was pointing at the themes of Orwell's 1984.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

if this was a 1980s Genesis song it would be Man of Our times it this was a Field Music album track it would be from "Measure" 213i0.f this was q^%7 . if a cat could speak that's what he'd type His vocals have always prevented me from completely embracing them I heartily recommend Field Music's discography for any xtc fan who's yet to hear em FM are always quoted as Talking Heads 10cc Steely Dan XTC Hall & Oates and Prince inspired artists I had a obsessive year for them in 2019 but have calmed down a bit now Stephen Duffy produced a single with Andy Partridge called You Are - it is absolutely poptastic. The Lamb lies down On Broadway is approaching J I can't wait for that Brunch! This was a very good XTC song which means Yeah it was ok but there were no clowns or lions or tigers or bears. That quote will just not go away JP Nor will: "it's all here in writing down in writing! at the hands of the press and in the eyes of the government i fell from grace i too became a Dissident" Shirley The Flat Earth Dobbly Time has Arrived .... or is Steadily Approaching on yonder hillock?

[@maruad7577]

So many good Thomas Dolby tunes yet to be heard. I think Flat Earth was my favourite of his albums but there are some great songs on Aliens Ate My Buick.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

@@maruad7577 "Budapest by Blimp" has indeed grown on me and from my cassette mangled tape version of "Astronauts and Heretics", the Sprout-esque I live in a Suitcase, Cruel, Neon Sisters, Beauty of a Dream. Quite Epic! 2012's A Map of a Floating City - fresh as a daisy! Ditto The first LP. I can also recommend side 4 of the vinyl copy of The Sole Inhabitant with 5 live songs with a horn section. but as you say, TFE continues to blossom in seven petal bliss , possibly because I hae never actually owned a copy, only a live radio tape from a gig in 84 which was "great, super. I didn't get where I am today by not buying classic 80s synth Lps...." as CJ would say. Can You Name the Comedic Dessert Company ? and the anti -capitalist gesture chain of retail establishments? Why? I Know not Why . Nos Da Maruad . Take note JP. Diolch. Ha Hev-en t-u-al -lee

[@O_Towne_Bear]

One of those bands that I loved but my friends couldn't quite get their heads around it.

[@jayburdification]

My favorite song off of Black Sea. This is also my favorite period of theirs. This song was also used surprisingly in an episode of Freaks & Geeks.

[@-davidolivares]

Was thinking of watching on Hulu, no greater incentive is there now.

[@murdockreviews]

My personal absolute favourite XTC album (though I know it is artistically not their peak).

[@jayburdification]

@@-davidolivares That episode is hilarious it’s all about how the geeks are trying not to get picked last for softball teams lol

[@TmRnBn]

Never got into XTC--but in the same timeframe there's Robyn Hitchcock/Soft Boys! You never heard him that I know of. Must Listen: Kingdom of Love, Insanely Jealous, Old Pervert (?), How do you work this thing?, Cars she used to drive, The Devil's Coachman, Wax Doll, but BEST OF ALL: Autumn Sea.

[@michaelakkerman407]

Madonna of the Wasps

[@aderyncoch3346]

Queen Of Eyes is a gem

[@disconsolatemoose6637]

Lady Waters & the Hooded One, Underwater Moonlight

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Hello, Justin. Dave from a drizzly London (Waiting For The Sun). Not my favourite track from this album - I prefer the poppier stuff like Sgt Rock, Towers of London and General and Majors. I felt that XTC at this time were morphing from spiky new wave into art rock and to be honest I only really got into them with Skylarking. Did see them live on the Black Sea tour at the Lyceum ballroom in London, and they were fizzing with energy. Such a shame they stopped touring soon afterwards - Andy talks about this in the recent documentary on the band, This Is Pop.

[@JustJP]

I bet they were fun live!

[@neil73]

Are you going to react to Jean Michel Jarre Magnetic Fields?

[@JustJP]

Probably at some point! :)

[@bobholtzmann]

Song well worth analyzing - For the lyrical meaning, I always thought it's simply praising the non-verbal better ways to get a message across, and the song kind of makes fun of using words, like the phrase "leaving chiseled stones" behind. The music intensifies the message - it seems the guitar in the refrain was borrowed from the Beatles' "She's So ..... Heavy".

[@JustJP]

Ah, you may be right!

[@rodneygriffin7666]

The Beatles??? XTC??? Elvis Costello??? So cool. Album reviews required. Promptly!

[@JustJP]

Working on em!😃

[@rodneygriffin7666]

Incredible songwriting and musicianship along with fabulous production. I wish new music sounded like this.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

You can't go wrong with XTC. All albums are amazing!

[@johncampbell756]

Freaks and Geeks used this well.

[@thankyoudriver4219]

Chiseled Stones is headstones on graves, surely?

[@JustJP]

I think you may be right! Good one

[@davidstobie2751]

Cuba

[@LifelikeFiction]

Try „Generals & Majors“ 🤗😎

[@crabapplez1742]

PLEASE react to "Eye in the Sky" by The Alan Parsons Project, underrated prog rock album! You're love the orchestral on it if you liked Atom Heart Mother

[@JustJP]

Ty Crab, ive done that one actually 😄

[@crabapplez1742]

@@JustJP Awesome! Then I'd have to recommend Silence and I, it's off the same album but it's worth it!

[@edwardthorne9875]

Nothing you can sing that can't be sung... Thought I had much more to say. We have this urgent desire to create, but can't quite decide what it is that we need to communicate. (Communication is the problem to the answer... 10cc) We collect symbols, and toss them at one another, in hopes that the reciever is using the same vocabulary, so that we can exchange 'information' in the same code. Can we use pheremones instead? Very good song, very good reaction. Better call an exterminator?

[@goldenboy140]

One of my favorite XTC songs.

[@mickcapewell6369]

Hmmm...not my fave from Black Sea. Would’ve gone for Paper & Iron or Generals & Majors or Sgt Rock or even Travels in Nihilon. This is a bit ploddy and Talking Headsy for me 🤔

[@mariosandri4010]

XTC never disappoint. Good song and great guitar (the way Gregory manages to shift from a clanging sound to a melodic hook is surprising). Nevertheless I think it is a strange choice as an introduction to Black Sea. I would have picked "Generals and Majors" and "Sgt. Rock".

[@ludolamot1043]

The band hated the art work. I bought my album with an extra green paper cover with just the name of band and album.

[@-davidolivares]

Hmm, I love it.

[@jfergs.3302]

Not bad. Fairly typical XTC, partic Andy's vocal parts, and delivery. Musically not one of their best. Some nice guitar work throughout, strong drums and bass. Ok, not great.