Born out of the punk explosion, XTC’s style and sound changed dramatically by the release of this, their fourth album, in 1980. Full of punk angst and vigour at the beginning, they changed into one of the UK’s most innovative indie pop bands. They had a great sense of melody, and quirky off the wall tunes that would set them apart from their peers. Sadly, due to Andy Partridge’s failing emotional state leading to chronic stage fright, the band stopped touring altogether by ’82.
Musically (style wise) anything is on the table for this band, and no barriers were the order of the day. There were 4 singles released from the album, the lead off track Respectable Street, which I really love, Towers Of London, and then the two biggest hits: Generals And Majors, and the awesome Sgt Rock (Is Going To Help Me). I remember being a little disappointed as my favourite song, Living Through Another Cuba , with it’s samba/reggae groove was not released – I thought this song was the dogs doodles at the time. Always a band to push themselves through every record, and never settled for the norm. In my opinion, they were one of Britain’s great exports to the musical universe.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
