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XTC - Homespun: The Apple Venus Volume One Home Demos [Limited Edition] Audio CD

A fair review of the XTC "Homespun: The Apple Venus Volume One Home Demos [Limited Edition]" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all XTC reviews here, or go back to the XTC tabs.

XTC Band: XTC
Title: Homespun: The Apple Venus Volume One Home Demos [Limited Edition]
Rating:
Release Date: 1999-10-05
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: River of Orchids 2: I'd Like That 3: Easter Theatre 4: Knights in Shining Karma 5: Frivolous Tonight 6: Green Man 7: Your Dictionary 8: Fruit Nut 9: I Can't Own Her 10: Harvest Festival 11: Last Balloon

A peek inside the process.
If you don't have that record, look there first (although if you're new to XTC, "Skylarking" is the usual recommendation). First thing's first, "Homespun" is an album of demos for "Apple Venus".

So a collection of demos, what to expect? Essentially it's a track-by-track match for "Apple Venus". Sonically, you couldn't tell it's so much a set of demos except in a couple places ("Frivolous Tonight") because it sounds so complete, in fact to the point where some pieces sound virtually identical to their final takes-- even in places you wouldn't expect it like orchestral workouts "River of Orchids" and "Green Man".

Is it interesting? Yeah, extremely, and in a lot of places it can be as good or better than the original ("Knights in Shining Karma"), but truth to be told, unless you're a diehard, you probably don't need to hear the work versions of this material. More casual fans definitely want to check out "Apple Venus", it's a fine record.


wrong cover displayed...
(. . the cover currently displayed belongs to the "parent" album, Apple Venus. Homespun's cover is similar, but is an embroidery of the peacock feather. )

I purchased both Apple Venus and Homespun the same day. It could be argued this is a little like buying two copies of the same album, but as has been stated elsewhere, Homespun's principle appeal is to people interested in the creative process of Mssrs. Partridge and Moulding.

For my tastes, I actually prefer the production decisions (or lack thereof) made for Homespun -- but then I am predisposed to liking rougher, rawer music. I prefer polaroids to digital photographs, for that matter.

There are tiny scraps of "raw acoustic demos" scattered here and there over the course of Homespun, but generally the songs are presented in fairly finished form. (The "single drop of water" that opens "River of Orchids" is missing, so every review of Homespun doesn't begin with some sort of reference to it!) Only a few songs are significantly different than how they appear on Apple Venus V. 1.

Either version is a great purchase. If you like things lusher and more pristine, get Apple Venus. If you like mapping the songcrafting process, you'll enjoy Homespun. If you really like XTC anyway, you should just get them both.


Demo's? I know, sounds strange, but well worth it!
1. Probably one of my favorite albums ever is Apple Venus pt. Therefore, the demos were a welcome addition to my collection. Its great to see how the songs came into being, and how a studio mix, production, etc. , can take wonderfully raw music and transform it into a masterpiece. Try it!.


Blueprint of Happiness
But you see, you can't really tell people this without them reacting as if you just blasphemed God. One of the biggest problems I have with XTC is that so few people realize that Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding are Britain's greatest gift to songwriting since Lennon and McCartney.

That being stated, my reaction to those detractors who consider this release to be self indulgent would have to be something like, would you say something like that if The Beatles released a collection of rough demos of songs before being produced as polished albums? Imagine Abbey Road before the orchestral arrangements and segues were worked in.

If anything, hearing the rough takes of these magnificent songs gives a deeper appreciation for each one, if you happen to adore the album as much as I do. Actually, before buying this version I was expecting a tad more rough edges; I wasn't aware that much of the "orchestral" arrangement on Apple Venus was sampled sound. So let the buyer beware . . . this is not exactly the "unplugged" approach.

Homespun could indeed be considered a for-fans-only release. Or maybe directed towards "limited edition" suckers like myself. I guess I just appreciate this album because it's sort of an invitation into the musical world of a songwriting team I happen to respect very highly, especially after such an admirable comeback effort as Apple Venus. I have already sung its praises in another review of that album. Hopefully THAT won't be considered too self-indulgent.


Only Us English Recognise Talent
Only to find out that unless you live outside the USA,then anything of true Englishness will slip you by. Having just reviewed XTC'S Wasp Star,I thought I would check out previous reviews of their works. Come,Come,you cannot seriously quote from Andy & Colin's alter-ego's when reviewing XTC,it's called satire/parody. This may not be Nonsuch. Oranges & Lemon's,or to think of it any other work by the guys. But who cares,poetry,prose are all any works by these 2 Swindon guys,is all it is about. Having not heard from them for so long,any offering is gratefully accepted. This work is a step back to earlier days, without the guitars and as such does not suffer one iota for it-Brilliant. Buy it or else face the wrath of Mark Lamaar(that's an in joke for us Brits and will no doubt have slipped you by!!!!!!).


You can see a complete list of all XTC discography, or go back to the XTC tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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