it a "masterpiece ... in a string of classic, innovative and hugely influential albums," highlighting the track "Seagulls" as "reason enough to label this album as 'classic'." The song inspired the name of the Japanese noise rock band Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her. According to the Chicago Readers J.R. Jones, the album's songs rank "with the band's best work, but as a recording it's weighed down by the leaden drums". Qs Andrew Harrison described the record as "overproduced" and "LinnDrum-plagued", while the Chicago Tribunes Greg Kot said it was "XTC at its most cynical and grating". In a 2016 interview, Skylarking producer Todd Rundgren said he also took issue with the lack of dynamics on Big Express, which he believed came from Partridge's tendency to fill arrangements with as many ideas as possible. Music journalist Alexis Petridis referred to aborted tracks from Blur's Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) as a disappointment for anyone "excited to hear [their] abandoned sessions with XTC's Andy Partridge ... they sound exactly as you would expect ... like the XTC of An Everyday Story of Smalltown". Demos, BBC Radio and Surround Sound edition XTC compilations that feature previously unreleased tracks related to the album include Drums and Wireless (versions of "Seagulls" and "Wish" recorded in 1984 for BBC Radio) and Coat of Many Cupboards (home demos of "All You Pretty Girls" and "Wake Up"). Partridge's Fuzzy Warbles series included home demos of "Liarbird" (volume one), "Wish" (volume two), "Countdown to Christmas" (volume four), "Smalltown" (volume five), "Seagulls" (volume seven), "Shake You Donkey Up" and "Reign of Blows" (both Hinges). Throughout the 2010s, the band's catalog was reissued, one album at a time, in the form of deluxe packages centred on new stereo and surround sound mixes by Steven Wilson. In 2022 the Big Express multi track tapes previously thought to be missing were located and the album is due to be next in the series with a projected late 2023 release. Track listing Note CD issues prior to 2001 placed the bonus tracks between the original sides one and two of the album. Original release information for bonus tracks sourced from Chalkhills and Children (1992), by Chris Twomey. Personnel Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. XTC Andy Partridge – vocals, guitar, LinnDrum, harmonica, sleeve design Colin Moulding – vocals, bass Dave Gregory – guitar, piano, Mellotron, synthesizer Additional personnel Peter Phipps – drums