Search - XTC :: Skylarking

Skylarking
XTC
Skylarking
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

XTC's frothily Beatle-esque concept album about birth, death, and the passing of the seasons is hardly soft-headed: Its melodic inventiveness and lush orchestrations support bitterness ("That's Really Super, Supergirl"), d...  more »

     

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CD Details

All Artists: XTC
Title: Skylarking
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Geffen Records
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Style: New Wave & Post-Punk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 720642411728

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording
XTC's frothily Beatle-esque concept album about birth, death, and the passing of the seasons is hardly soft-headed: Its melodic inventiveness and lush orchestrations support bitterness ("That's Really Super, Supergirl"), displacement ("The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul"), and agnostic tirade ("Dear God") as often as it does the pleasures of sun and shower. The greatest achievement of XTC's post-Drums and Wires career, Skylarking is a must-have for the first days of spring. --Rickey Wright

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CD Reviews

My Third Favorite Album of All Time
09/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"To anyone who thinks XTC has better stuff...you're way off. This album is not only the best XTC all round, but one of the best of all time! I don't say that lightly, either! The whole cycle of life is covered here as highlighted with "Season Cycle". A picture of life is painted so well it feels more like you're listening to a soundtrack to a wonderful movie. This album does what good art should; it evokes feelings. It goes further by covering the whole spectrum of emotions. Vivid imagery, chord structure, use of a massive variety of sounds and instruments, and intentional and precise song placement all add up to a nearly perfect album. The only warning I will give is that if you let the music take you, you will be exhausted by the end. Todd's influence is very apparent. It's too bad there were not more projects together. Although some great individual songs, most XTC albums will put you to sleep by the end. XTC should have learned that "creative tension" is the key for them instead of trying to avoid it. They really missed the point."
Well-Constructed Baroque Pop
Scott McFarland | Manassas, VA United States | 01/17/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Todd Rundgren managed to infuriate the band during the recording of this LP, but he did a great job helping them to pick and sequence their material, and to frame it sound-wise and mix it into a beautiful record.The songs are strong. At least one of Partridge's overly wordy and effete clunkers creeps ("Supergirl") and "Season Cycle" is overly derivative (of the Beach Boys). But the rest of the material is well worth a spin. And Todd the Godd retains his ability to knock out wonderful-sounding LPs (file this one next to Patti Smith's "Wave" and the Psychedelic Furs' "Forever Now").In the end the arrangements mix strings, an effective rhythm section (Prairie Prince does the drumming), guitars, idiosynchratic vocals, and various other effects into a satisfying stew not unlike something the Beatles might have come up with had they been working together during the late 80's."
Quintisentially English
04/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"First heard this in 87 whilst driving across a Spanish plateau in seering heat framed by corn fields and distant Moorish castles. Gave me goose bumps then and still gives me goose bumps now. It is quintisentially Engish and is an example of "pop" in its purest form. Park yourself up by a lazy river, lie on the grass, put your head phones on and listen. Sheer quality."