REVIEW: XTC, Wasp Star (TVT)
- Wes Long
Stop any person walking down the street, ask them if they've ever heard of XTC, and if they don't say it's a drug or a band that Michael Hutchence once fronted (INXS) they'll likely shake their heads no. If you actually run into the rare person familiar with the lads, odds are that they're unaware that the band recorded anything after the 1980's. XTC's history is a long strange trip, and if I ever care to print this review I don't dare go into it all now as I've only got three new ink cartridges and a few thousand sheets of blank paper in my printer. For those curious the best starting place is the Chalkhills site online: http://www.chalkhills.org/
Wasp Star is XTC's second release of new material in as many years. Their Apple Venus Volume 1 garnered grand accolades in 1999, a sometimes brilliant mix of acoustic and orchestrated pop which Andy Partridge referred to as "orchoustic." The new album is a return to form of sorts, much more electric and immediate, called "eclectric" by Partridge. "This is definitely an 'up' record," Partridge voiced, "the mood was very light and the album had the least amount of birth problems."
The happy-go-lucky XTC of old rears its lovely head from the get go with the opening riff of "Playground," which is aided by the backing vocals of Andy's daughter Holly. "Stupidly Happy, the pick-up line aplenty "We're All Light" and "I'm The Man Who Murdered Love" continue the put the top down and sing along at the top of your lungs vibe. The last three songs: "You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful," the lush "Church Of Women" and the jaw dropping "The Wheel And The Maypole" are as good as anything Andy's ever done. These are straight-ahead guitar-driven pop tunes of the highest order with finely honed hooks that you won't mind being snagged by.
Bassist and only other member of XTC, Colin Moulding, continues his trend of precious little output with three cinematic offerings in league with last years "Frivolous Tonight" and 1992's haunting "Bungalow."
This is an album better than most, recorded by an ever-surprising and horribly under-appreciated band. Once under your skin no tweezers exist capable of prying this little marvel out. Wasp Star is an early contender for album of the year.
