341) XTC - The Black Sea

We have already reviewed XTC before (225) XTC - Drums and Wires) and just over a year after that album they returned with their fourth record.I heard Andy Partridge on a podcast and cannot say I warmed to him, I know next to nothing about him so maybe he was having a bad day, we all do so I am not judging him but clearly in later years  he clashed with Dave Gregory and Colin Moulding with Gregory leaving and Moulding and Partridge calling it a day back in 2006.

As the years have passed, they became more respected and have made it clear they will not reform, but they must be happy with the body of work they have left behind.

I have never followed XTC closely but looking at this record even I recognised three of the songs, all released as singles, and I liked them all so was expecting good things.

Most people with a passing interest in music will know these singles Generals and Majors, Towers of London and Sgt Rock. All three were, are, great singles, I was surprised all three were not bigger hits, but they still have an excitement and are quality power pop.

Respectable Street opens the record all scratchy with just a piano and Partridge’s voice. Then the guitar hits and the usual solid drumming from Terry Chambers and what we have here is a band who have all upped their game, their playing is exceptional and inventive, and Partridge and Moulding’s songwriting has gone up a notch. Plus, Partridge had insisted he wanted these songs to be able to be played live so there is no added instrumentation just four men in synch with each other.

Partridge voice still annoys me on occasion; Living Through Another Cuba the start just puts me off and I cannot warm to the song but the simplicity and genius of the guitar on Love at First Sight all is forgiven. The power of Paper and Iron and Partridge vocals on Burning with Optimism’s Fire are all over the place but this one seems to fit with me, maybe I’m the awkward one.

The record ends with Travels in Nihilon, listen to the bass and drums before the guitar surges, it’s a bizarre end but somehow fits.

This is a clever record made by four men who had decided it was time to shine.

8/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Love at First Sight