Skip to main content

#49 XTC - English Settlement

Virgin Records, 1982
New Wave experimental pop rock

I don't remember precisely when I picked up this album --- sometime in the mid '00s --- but I do remember why. It was thanks to my buddy Andrew! 

In 2004/05, I was living in the Monastery Lane apartments with Megan, and our pals from high school Andrew and Brad had an apartment in the same building, so there was much coming and going and hanging out. At that time, Andrew had discovered some bands that were very novel for us, coming as we were from the pop-punk capital of the Annapolis Valley. XTC was one, as well as the Cocteau Twins, and others that escape my memory at the moment. I fell in love with XTC, and will always associate it with that time in my life. Andrew's in Vancouver, Brad is in the Valley, and Megan is in Moncton, but we all hang out for a few minutes in my memory when XTC hits the stereo.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#75 Bob Dylan - Slow Train Coming

Columbia, 1979 Folk Rock/Blues This one Stu brought to the collection. While I listened to a lot of Dylan in my younger days, it was mostly from his acoustic and early electric period, so this album was not familiar to me. It's great! That probably doesn't come as a surprise to you, readers, but that was my thought when I played it, so true to form I record it here.  This album is a mood; it has a hard spirit and an attitude, and a feeling of reflection. Like all Dylan's stuff, it has great lyrics that pull you in, and an excellent sound profile. I will definitely be returning to this album in the near future. 
Post a Comment
Read more

#73 Tyrannosaurus Rex - Unicorn

Blue Thumb Records, 1969 Psychedelic Acoustic Folk This album is very important to me. Those who know me, know I am fond of T Rex, but this pre T recording is extra special. I first remember hearing it in grade 8, and I fell in love with it entirely. It resonated with me a on strangley personal level, considering how far out the lyrics are. Warlord of the Royal Crocodiles was my jam. My friends were forced to listen to poorly dubbed cassettes every weekend, because that was the easiest way to copy and share music on the North Mountain in 1998.  I had always listened to my dad's record (from whence came the cassette) and didn't have my own copy when I moved out, so I was very excited when I found it at Taz---the old spot on, what was it, Grafton? Two locations ago. It was like finding treasure, though I spose that's always what second-hand vinyl shopping feels like to me. Maybe it was more like finding the Arkenstone. I remember being super excited, and Bob telli...
Post a Comment
Read more

#87 XTC - Black Sea

Virgin, 1980 New Wave Pop Rock I have waxed nostalgic about XTC before, so I won't go too in depth with this one, but I will mention a few details.  Black Sea is the first XTC record I ever heard. Andrew G played it for me when I was hanging at he and Brad Luk's apartment in Quinpool Court on Monastery Lane circa 2004. Megan and I lived upstairs in the same building, and there was much coming and going. I was immediately hooked by the whistling and the tempo of "Generals and Majors" in particular, and it would remain a party staple for me.  This album is super fun and really solid, and I always enjoy spinning it. 
Post a Comment
Read more