How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
wonderful collection of songs . . .
Disadvantages:
none !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
It's a rare thing to own a collection of songs that span such a length of time without reaching for the skip button but Fossil Fuels by XTC bucks that trend. This is my one and only CD by XTC but it certainly satisfies my interest in a great band. It covers such a breadth of wonderully adventurous guitar music that could not be described as anything other than superb. Before buying the cd my only knowledge of the band was Making Plans for Nigel, Sgt. Rock Is Going To Help Me and This is Pop. If that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up read on...
I'm of an age that remembers those songs being on the radio but being too young to really appreciate them. The melodies are timeless though and this collection is a great reminder of the quaility of songwriting from members Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding. I think their influence on songwriting the world over is underatted. Compared to, and touring buddies of Talking Heads at the time, XTC display a similar knack for twisting and weaving great approachable pop songs from the weirdist of angles. I'd defy anyone not to be humming Statue Of Liberty months after hearing it! There isn't a duff song on this cd. If you are a casual music buyer and are looking for something timeless and essential buy this cd now!
In addtion, I recently lost disc 2 of this collection...well I left it in a friends car and it has not been returned...anyway I'd still consider Disc 1 alone to be one of the greatest collection of songs under the sun. I really would! ; )
Full Track Listing:
DISC 1: 1. Science Friction 2. Statue Of Liberty 3. This Is Pop Listen 4. Are You Receiving Me? 5. Life Begins At The Hop 6. Making Plans For Nigel 7. Ten Feet Tall 8. Wait Til Your Boat Goes Down 9. Generals & Majors 10. Towers Of London 11. Sgt. Rock Is Going To Help Me 12. Love At First Sight 13. Respectable Street 14. Senses Working Overtime 15. Ball & Chain 16. No Thugs In Our House
Disc: 2 1. Great Fire 2. Wonderland 3. Love On A Farmboy's Wages 4. All You Pretty Girls 5. This World Over 6. Wake Up 7. Grass 8. The Meeting Place 9. Dear God 10. The Mayor Of Simpleton 11. King For A Day 12. The Loving 13. The Disappointed en 14. The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead 15. Wrapped In Grey
More details
How does it rate alongside the competition
Good
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Satisfactory
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