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Skylarking

XTC - Skylarking Audio CD

A fair review of the XTC "Skylarking" 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.

Band: XTC
Title: Skylarking
Rating:

Release Date: 2002-05-14
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Summer's Cauldron 2: Grass 3: Meeting Place 4: That's Really Super, Supergirl 5: Ballet for a Rainy Day 6: 1000 Umbrellas 7: Season Cycle 8: Earn Enough for Us 9: Big Day 10: Another Satellite 11: Man Who Sailed Around His Soul 12: Dear God 13: Dying 14: Sacrificial Bonfire 15: Mermaid Smiled

High Moment
I happen to like it, because it's so rich in complex arrangements, is pastoral, emotional and can trigger my imagination. Folks, SKYLARKING is XTC's high moment--whether you like it or not. It doesn't get more alternative than this release from 1986. This album puts you into a certain frame of mind and mood right from the beginning with "SUMMER'S CAULDRON", as birds are chirping, etc. The song transitions into "GRASS", which is a nice continuation of the previous song. This album has so much to like, as the melodies are upbeat, as well as down at times, which adds to the appeal. ANOTHER SATELLITE is another favorite of mine, with its cool beginning. There's a little jazz thrown in with THE MAN WHO SAILED AROUND HIS SOUL. Andy Partridge is one exceptional musician and lyricist, as is Colin Moulding. These two are unbelievable on this album, and one will quickly come to appreciate the awesome musicianship that is featured. What I appreciate the most about this release is how daring these guys were to make an album that sounded NOTHING like any previous releases, or future releases. I'll admit that it took me 3 run-throughs before I really started to like it. I love the acoustic work on this album, as it's rich, pure and relevant. A song that's a real treat is "SACRIFICIAL BONFIRE". This song has a ritual-like sound to it, and features the sound of fire burning for good measure. Colin Moulding was probably crinkling some paper for the fire sound!!! The vocals and harmony for this song almost sound like Greg Lake of ELP on this song, along with Roger Daltry of The Who. Of course, the controversial "DEAR GOD" is a fan favorite, and puts an exclamation point on an album that's deserving of high praise for being ahead of its time. Rolling Stone lists SKYLARKING as #48 in their top 100 albums of the 1980's--not bad at all. A lot of people prefer the ORANGES AND LEMONS/NONSUCH sounds of XTC, or they prefer the earlier stuff (new wave, punkish) from the late 70's. I'll admit that ORANGES AND LEMONS and NONSUCH, with their radio-friendly popish melodies and steady beats are tremendous, but SKYLARKING is an album that is much more sophisticated. It is rich in complex arrangements, is pastoral-sounding, and has that catchy sound that gives it an identity all its own. It follows a theme of changing seasons, etc. The whole Todd Rundgren thing is a bit overstated and has little to do with the success of this album. Sure, mixing and arranging helps, but this album is about 3 talented guys who weren't afraid to put out something different. This album put alternative music of the map. This is a must-have for any fan of XTC, and a good starter album for newcomers. If you like quirky yet rich and eclectic sound with outstanding lyrics, then this album will not let you down. 10/10.

I didn't come here to buy this album,but heard a XTC song on the radio today...
)
Any fan of XTC knows they have a side project The Dukes Of Stratosphere
(well they have at least one more)and I always request um both at Christmas time,well. (and thought I'd share a little semi "joke" about a song on this album. . . why not?It's the only time it would "work".
(XTC under the name)THE THREE WISEMEN (the song) "Thanx For Christmas"
then I request XTC "Dear God". Since they paint such a DRASTIC 180 view of Christmas and Religion in general. "Thanx" is such a non modern song of X-Mas. No shopping nightmares it's just "It's Christmas,my most fav time of year and all it represents and all the love it brings out in people. And "Dear God" basicly says "PISS OFF GOD!I don't believe in you!(there's another joke,if he doesn't belive in God,he must be talking to himself. lol)So after doing such a HARSH song at God I guess they HAD to use a different name. (who knows)It might have even put a smile on
The Man Upstairs" face. If there is even one. . . who knows?
Andy and the boys sure don't by listening to these 2 songs back to back.

Pros and cons of the remastered version - an audiophile's view

The peak levels on both versions are the same. I compared the new remaster to the earlier Geffen CD release, which revealed some interesting differences. The new remaster (Caroline Records CAR50690) sounds louder, so average levels are bumped up. This means a compression of dynamic range between soft and loud, i. e. the loudest sounds stay the same, but the softer sounds are increased in volume. I generally prefer less compression, but this album was somewhat compressed to begin with.

The remaster is more forward -- the vocals and guitars and keyboards stand out more. The sound is generally cleaner and the timbre is more natural in the midrange and high frequencies. Vocals, cymbals, guitar strums, and tinkly things sound more real.

On the other hand, the bass and drums have more impact on the original Geffen release, while the midrange and high frequencies are less prominent, and the detail is a little smeared. This is a disappointment, because I love Colin Moulding's bass work, and I don't think the remastered version does it justice.

Colin Moulding also wrote five songs on Skylarking, better than the two or three he'd get to do on some other XTC records. I think it lends more balance to the album, with less domination of Andy Partridge's sometimes strident vocals and Partridge's generally weirder -- but still fun -- songs.

Skylarking is a great pop album. I love what Todd Rundgren did with these songs, except that he tends to mix things to sound good on the radio, and that means his recordings may sound a little bland on better equipment. Oranges and Lemons, XTC's follow-up to Skylarking, is quirkier and more to my liking, but the songs and arrangements on Skylarking are top-drawer XTC. I'd have to say they peaked with these two mid-career albums.

Despite my reservations about dynamic range compression and the diminishing of the bass frequencies, this is a pleasant-sounding remaster. Does the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs remaster have the best of both worlds? I don't know. I haven't heard it. I'm tempted to track down a copy, though. This is music that deserves the best audio presentation.

A final point about the liner notes. All the lyrics are there, on the center two pages of the booklet. But print is so ridiculously small that you may need a magnifier to read them, even if you're not an 80-year old grandma. I'm nearsighted, and if I take off my glasses and plant the booklet about 8 inches from my eyes, I can barely make the words out. Normal CD-booklet text is small enough, but this is absurd. And inexcusable. Whomever is responsible for the graphic design of the booklet needs his or her head examined. What were they thinking?! It is a sign they just didn't care, but I for one believe lyrics are an important part of the album, and when you pay extra money to get the physical product, it should be properly designed with some useful amenities -- like lyrics, of course. The CD booklet of the original Geffen has the lyrics, and the print is moderately small, but not microscopic. .

Fantastically GREAT album!
I eventually replaced the vinyl with the original CD, which has long since worn out from scratches. I was one of those who just loved this album when it first came out.
I thought I still might have had it, and went through my CD collection to find that it wasn't there.
I ordered a brand new copy immediately!
This album is a pure classic! It doesn't display an overly 80s sound ata all, but much like The Beatles, whom Todd Rundgren purposefully and masterfully had them sound like, the album is timeless.

This truly is one of the finest albums ever put out by a band.
I'm glad it's back in my hands again. . . LOVE IT!.

Too placid
Besides having a couple of major Colin Moulding duds, Todd Rundgren's production never lets the band out of its cage. As an avid XTC fan, I got into this album at first, but the novelty quickly wore off. The whole thing sounds trapped, smothered. Some would argue that's the point, but then the point misses the target.

Still, there are some great tracks here - "That's Really Super Supergirl" is my favourite, along with "Another Satellite". "Mermaid Smiles" and "Man Who Sailed Around His Soul" also hit the mark. But the band - Andy Partridge in particular - must have been in heaven with the production on "Oranges and Lemons" after this stifling effort.

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.