Title: One of the best early XTC albums
Review: This is one of the finest early(or midperiod might be more accurate)XTC albums. Partridge & Moulding came into their own on this album. Almost all the songs are terrfic--there are a few clunkers from Andy, but they are redeemed by melody, arrangement, Andy's singing or all three.Hugh Padgham's production is a little dated sounding and, perhaps, a bit monochromatic in its overall tone. THE BIG EXPRESS would rectify this with a brighter sound and arrangements that would compliment the songs vs. hemming them in.Still, a terrific album--this is, for all intends and purposes, where Partridge & Moulding found their voices as songwriters and the band solidfied their sound.This sprawling 16 track collection would be their most comprehensive statement and most consistent work until THE BIG EXPRESS(a more varied album in terms of production and sound than this).
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