Reviews (page 2 of 7)
I don’t know if I am much of an XTC fan but I am a Todd Rundgren fan and as producer he sure does wrangle a good album out of these Swindon lads. Sure, their voices are a bit goofy but the album as a whole is LUSH in historiated capital letters. The first half particularly is so feverishly sweltering from all the gorgeous sonic splendour. Melodically it’s so divine like sweet nectar from the gods. How does someone listen to a song like Summer’s Cauldron and not doff their cap in bedazzlement by the end by the geniosity and vividness of it? Arrangement-wise it has all of the best traditions of late sixties Beatles but also future echoes of Blur. As well as Skylarking this has huge hints of Parklarking and Great Escape-larking as well. Ultimately a 4.5 because the second half is a bit patchier and it does fade away to a low ebb by the time of Dying and Sacrificial Bonfire which is why original non-album MTV hit Dear God at the end is a necessity.
Very slow start but last 5 songs really shine through, very enjoyable listen!
I am a huge XTC fan so I am very biased. This was my first real introduction to the band (other than some of their earlier singles) and it took me to another world. There is nothing else like it. It is a bewitching brew of melody, lyricism, and incredible songcraft as Partidge, Moulding, and Gregory embark on a song cycle about life, love, death, and rebirth. Kudos go to Todd Rundgren for his production and to the sound engineers, etc who brought it to life. I had the US version so "Dear God" went in the place of "Mermaid Smiled" so it's a little weird to hear it in this sequence with "Dear God" shoehorned onto the end. "Sacrificial Bonfire" is the only possible closer. I'm in awe of the songwriting from both Partridge and Moulding. It's exquisite. I know I'm a fan boy but this is on par with all of the later Beatles albums and they would go on to make further masterpieces with "Oranges and Lemons," "Nonsuch," and the Apple Venus albums. This album was a radical departure from their earlier work and ushered in their golden age.
Skylarking is a deeply weird pop album. Its a five for me for its sheer audacity, and how often that audacity pays off. Deserves more than one listen if you haven't heard it before, filled to the brim with both lyrical and musical ideas. Partridge has a genius-level ear for melody, on par with guys like Brian Wilson in my opinion, and both he and Moulding kill it with the poetic, paganesque lyrics. Stunning flow to it that is disrupted by the addition of Dear God - but who cares, thats a great, powerful song too. Other fave tracks - Summer's Cauldron, Ballet for a Rainy Day
🩵
I really enjoyed this album. I love when people can just put aside the idea of having to have a specific genre and they just write good music..
Great album 👍 🎶
I’ve always liked XTC but never owned a proper album until this. Skylarking is superb: very English, gently quirky, and often reminiscent of The Kinks. Warm, melodic, and effortlessly charming. One to buy, definitely.
Favorite track(s): Summer's Cauldron, Grass, That's Really Super, Supergirl, Ballet for a Rainy Day, Big Day, Mermaid Smiled, Dying Possibly the greatest permutation of 60s pop influence ever arranged. Nobody can do it like Andy (and Colin). Heard before Previous rating: 9/10
I love this album.
Loved it. I've had a go at it before, some years ago, but for some reason it just didn't click. This time it did.
Their masterpiece, though I am partial to Apple Venus Volume 1.
This is only my 4th favorite XTC album, after English Settlement, Mummer, and The Big Express. The only other XTC album we’ll see is Apple Venus Vol. 1, a soft and beautiful album but maybe my 8th favorite of theirs. How my top three didn’t make the list over AVV1 is a mystery. This album has a typical wide variety of songs, all great, no filler. As usual, Andy Partridge wrote most of the tracks, but Colin Moulding’s five contributions are all lovely, especially Dying and Grass. Arguably Colin’s best batch of songs on any album in their discography. The original album didn’t have their “hit”, Dear God, so I think of the album a bit differently than what is here. In late 2024 there was a great Blu-ray release with one of the best 7.1 surround mixes I’ve come across — distinctiveness from all the speakers but doesn’t come across as gimmicky. The Blu-ray also has 7.1 instrumental mixes which is fascinating to me as the vocals and lyrics are such a strong part of the band’s appeal, but they are great musicians as well. The instrumental mixes highlight how good they are, especially Dave Gregory on guitar and keyboards. There was a 5.1 surround Blu-ray issued in 2016 that has 41 demo and non-album tracks. Of course I have that as well. Give English Settlement a try. Three very strong opening tracks, and musically great and funky songs in the latter half of the album. 5.5 for the Blu-ray Disc, rounded down due to scoring system limitations.
One of the ultimate summer albums. It's got crazy good melodies - just so sticky and warm. The songs are both incredibly catchy and very gorgeous. The way the first 2 songs transition into one another is so genius. I love the maximalist production, the warm guitar tones are just so addictive and again - the melodies are amazing. The Meeting Place has some Beach Boys vibes but modernized to the 80s sound and it sounds gorgeous. That's actually the case for most songs here, except they don't have some of the filler songs that Pet Sounds has. Just the good parts - the hooks, the textures, the vocals... all top notch. Just listen to Season Cycle, what a banger. This album is really flawless and consistent front to back, even with the 2nd half getting a bit more spacey. This is just pure bliss, I love it.
Another pleasant surprise! It's a fun little pop / psych rock album with a lot of variety across the track list. The choruses are catchy, there are hooky guitar riffs, lots of different instruments that keep it interesting the whole way through. It's hard to pick songs for my playlist because there are so many great ones. For now I added Summer's Cauldron, Season Cycle and Earn Enough for Us.
Divicive band but this is a high water mark in music.
Amazing record, great songs, perfect production.
Sterling work!
What nice transitions, had fun and want to listen more of it
This is my favorite XTC album pretty solid wanes a little towards the end but it is consistently sharp throughout. Richly crafted with simple motifs that become more complex as a song progresses.
'Summer Cauldron' immediately makes me think of McCartney's ear for melody, wrapped in the warm sounds of Summer, but with the warbling, unsettled synth underneath. Without fanfare it moves into 'Grass' which is a sublime piece of ambient pop. Partridge has an unapologetically British lilt to his vocal, not the greatest vocalist perhaps, but it's delivered with great authentic 'post-punk meets pop' conviction. The album is full of earworms, acoustic hooks, harmonies which all flow into one swirling ambience over the course of album. 'The Meeting Place' is a highlight. This is up there with the best work of XTC I've heard to date. It is even better than 'Apple Venus' which itself was approaching a masterpiece. This most certainly is a veritable masterpiece.
Brilliant melody nerds
Pleasant album that I put on quite often. It's somewhat of a concept album, but all the songs stand on their own and are all well crafted. The inclusion of Dear God lifts it up a point for me, brilliant alternative song that for some reason isn't included on every version of the album.
Really enjoy this band. Melodic and catchy music. Understated musicians who are phenomenal to listen to.
I was unfamiliar with this album going in! I liked Grass, 1000 Umbrellas, Sacrificial Bonfire, Dear God. Again, this is one where I know what I like and I find myself getting more with each listen. High 4 low 5.
I know some XTC songs but hadn't heard this album before - and yet, as soon as it started, it felt familiar. It has that boppy, poppy, weird flair that I really love. Sounds newer than it is. Happy to have discovered it; this is an instant classic for me.
Wrote a terrible review of this so trying to do it justice. One of weirdest pop/rock albums of its time. Without this, there is no MGMT in my eyes so I appreciate it for that alone. There is, to me, a punk attitude in the songwriting but expressed with really beautiful and off kilter instrumental choices. The closest to feeling like you're on the titular band drug without being on it.
9/10 I really like XTC. The flavor works for me, I like how pop it is while being calm. Dear God is the best song on the record and has made its way on every play list I make. 10-15-2025
Maravilhoso! Já faz parte da minha vida há tempos.
Love this album bought it when it came out in 1986. Played dear god a million times
1986 England. Pop, rock, psychedelic. *****
Excellent album that I've listened to many times. The last track doesn't belong on it though.
It's my kind of music, being full of catchy pop songs mixed with experimentation, sound effects , studio/production tricks and plenty of colour/spice spice in the sounds. The music arrangements are top notch as are the vocal harmonies and the lyrics are evocative, often humourous. There's a bit of late summer/autumnal vibe throughout. And even though I didn't hear it as a kid in the 80s, I have this strange feeling of 80s nostalgia listening to it. I think it's a brilliant, evocative record although Andy Partridge's vocals are an acquired taste, I find it quite appealing.
Very Cool
Wow! I loved this one! I couldn't believe this was a rock album from the 80s; I think XTC was going for a 60s rock sound and they nailed it. I think the theme revolves around stages in life? The songs seem to follow someone's life from childhood to death, but I might be a bit off on that. Regardless, I know I'll be listening to Skylarking again, soon!
Surprisingly good. Never heard of them before.
Love this album so much already. Dreamy, summery and just wonderful
Who doesn't love doing this?
1985. I'm going to go ahead and hit it with the 5. This is one of the all time greats and the album I may have listened to more than any other. XTC at their prime
Great album. Ome of the best albums I've ever heard where the band is trying to sound like the Beatles. Great melodies and very crisp sound
I am absolutely fascinated by Skylarking. I can see why so many artists I like who seem off-kilter can point to XTC.
Actually amazing
Absolutely love this band and this album is one of their best.
A brilliant album and so pleased it came up here. Very experimental and easy song unique but blend together. Reminds me of Pet Sounds. Favourites include, 1000 umbrellas and Dear God. But could pick any as a favourite really.
This band is a true discovery for me, amazing album, and it sounds like it's been recorded much later than in 1986
the US version w Dear God is the superior sequenced album.
In my top 10. If not top 5.
I find Skylarking to be a major accomplishment and for someone like me who missed it the first time around an amazing gem I feel thankful for discovering all these years later. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-skylarking-by-xtc?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
it’s hard to be objective about an album i love so much! XTC is one of my favorite bands, and this was the album that really made me a fan. Black Sea has surpassed it as my favorite album of theirs, but i’ll always hold Skylarking close to my heart.
I feel like I've been getting repetitive with how I start my reviews. There's only so many times I can just start reviewing a great album with "dude" or "wow" before I have to do something different. What I want to say is that Skylarking is amazing. I really like this album. I'd definitely heard of XTC before today, but I really didn't expect to love Skylarking as much as I do. This album's fairly different from what I've gotten before, yet still somewhat familiar. I feel like most of the 80s albums I've gotten fit under a label like punk, new wave, or post-punk. Skylarking isn't either of those though. It's more of a pop rock album than anything, and I love it. The vibes are nice and they really appeal to me. Andy Partridge's singing isn't my favorite, but I think it fits the vibes well. The production here is great. It came from Todd Rundgren, and seeing as I really enjoyed his album Something/Anything?, I guess it's not that surprising that I like Skylarking too. I do like Skylarking more though. The writing is strong too. Skylarking is apparently a loose concept album about cycles, which is pretty cool. The songs here are great. I think my personal favorite might be the one song that wasn't actually included on the album originally, but was included in reissues after it gained traction despite being cut from the album due to label concerns. That song, of course, is "Dear God," which is a really thought-provoking song about challenging the existence of God. Every song here has things to love. The hooks are catchy, the melodies are fun, and the overall presentation of the album is clean in a way that I really like. Skylarking is just an excellent pop rock affair that I can't get enough of. Light 5/5.
I now finally get it with XTC. Previously, they were a band who could produce impressive soundscapes, but the totality of the songs still left me wanting. It's all come together for me now here. The beautiful sound is retained, and now the songs all hold up cohesively. Great, great album
One of the more fascinating albums I've had so far. A similar experience like with XTC's "Apple Venus Volume 1" (#102) in that I'm at loss as to how I should file this within my usual system (there is no such thing but you get the point) of determining whether I like something or not. Psychedelic, baroque, happy weirdo 80ies chamber pop? Statistically, I should hate this. So many ways in which this could go horribly wrong. But this music here somehow balances on a tightrope over a canyon of possible shit - it's super endearing! Often like the Beatles circa Revolver found a time machine, shot 20 years into the future, had a little walk, took in some sights and sounds and got cracking in the studio? And then something else entirely. And it... works. Played this three times today. Really nice.
Perfection.
Everything works on this album.
Love the song Dear God which I discovered a few years ago, was interesting to hear more songs from the band. I also liked the songs That's Really Super Supergirl and Dying.
To the hard-of-thinking for whom this isn’t just an immediate 5 stars: please return your ears to the kiosk when you’ve finished messing around with them and let someone else have a turn.
Just brilliant
WOW!!!!! I’ve probably heard this whole thing before, and I’m certainly familiar with many of the tracks; listening to skylarking in its entirety was a sublime privilege!
Album starts off weak to me. I hate bubblegum/dreamy pop, and as much as this is a rock album, it is more pop to my ears and liking. I thought this was nothing special, but i'd have still preffered it over whatever the music they're blasting off in beach clubs nowadays. Then the end of the album hit, the melancholy of Dying, the hope of Dear God (And the kid sings really well!) and the overall vibe of The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul. Maybe it isn't the greatest album i've ever listened, but it definitely earned its way into top 10 easily with the last songs.
didnt expect anything, was pleasantly surprised, Dear God is great song to end this banger of an album
This rating just kept creeping up as the album went on. Solid finish. Really liked it and would listen to more.
Maybe I'm being generous but I really liked this, solid sound with a load of influences I could hear but it still sounded unique. Might listen to more of these guys.
raise your hands if it took you a while to get that xtc = ecstasy
An absolute masterclass in pop. Very 80s. Very British. A whimsical, psychedelic feast. Honestly, there's so much to devour here. The electric, brimming "Summer's Cauldron" leading seamlessly into the beautiful (and scandalous?) "Grass". "The Meeting Place", making a dreary industrial landscape lush. The precious "Ballet for a Rainy Day" turning on an instant into the manic "1000 Umbrellas". It's very much an album of it's time, but it's perennially fresh, and never dull. Of course, there's "Dear God", their massively successful single that was hastily slapped on the end of the album after release. It was a song that I really gravitated to when I discovered this album in high school, in my rather cringey anti-theist phase. It's still a good song and all, but over time it's lost a bit of its lustre for me. I actually think it's weaker than most of the other tracks. I prefer to end it on "Sacrificial Bonfire". All in all, an enduring classic. Absolutely love. Fav tracks: Summer's Cauldron, Grass, The Meeting Place, That's Really Super Supergirl, Earn Enough for Us, Big Day, Mermaid Smiled, Sacrificial Bonfire
I really like this kind of pop. I thought I could remember listening to XTC a couple of years ago and not being into it at all but this is great. Doing my best to avoid seeming obnoxious but there's an esoteric flair to it that keeps it interesting but catchy. Each track is distinct enough but they manage to maintain a consistent atmosphere through the album Great stuff. I want to come back to XTC's other stuff at some point 3/6/26 Edit: I'm putting this up to a 5 as it's by far the most I've come back to an album I hadn't heard before and I think XTC are becoming one of my favourite bands Highlights: Another Satellite, Summer's Cauldron, That's Really Super Supergirl, Grass, Big Day
I bought this - not at the time but later - and listened to it enough that going back to it every song was surprisingly familiar. This project has also given me a much deeper regard for it. An album of originality, musical experimentation and a heap of good songs. Having two songwriters creates a great contrast too. This deserves to be here.
Crazy, I didn't think I'd remember as much of this album as I did, so many melodies that just stick right in your head and never leave. Fantastic record. 50 minutes of complete bangers, there isn't a bad song on here. Production is amazing as well
Conociendo otros trabajos de XTC como "Drums and Wires" o "Oranges and Lemons", sabía que la banda de Andy Patridge era buena, pero "Skylarking" me dejó sorprendido. La producción de Todd Rudgren ciertamente ayuda, pero las composiciones de este LP son sumamente interesantes, ya que mezclan melodías pop con estructuras poco comunes que podrían haber sido sacadas de los trabajos más experimentales de The Beatles o David Bowie. Probablemente, mi disco favorito de XTC, y les aseguro que no saldrá de mis reproducciones habituales. Por favor, escúchelo.
Geweldig album,gave nummers, origineel
Unexpectedly I like it. Somewhat chill rock, good guitar, interesting lyrics. Voice is average.
Mellow af
5/5 This album feels really creative, yet also very comforting. The vocals are fantastically engaging, and the production is super tight. I love the orchestration and introduction of classical and retro elements while embracing new sounds. The parts where songs flow into each other work brilliantly as well, with the consistent themes creating a better experience. Overall, this is just an exceptional piece of music. Summer's Cauldron 4.5/5 Grass 4.5/5 The Meeting Place 5/5 That's Really Super, Supergirl 5/5 Ballet For A Rainy Day 5/5 1000 Umbrellas 4.5/5 Season Cycle 5/5 Earn Enough For Us 4/5 (LEAST FAV) Big Day 5/5 Another Satellite 5/5 (FAV) Mermaid Smiled 5/5 The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul 4.5/5 Dying 5/5 Sacrificial Bonfire 4/5
XTC is really a great discovery in this project. Another great album and more of their typical sound.
Picking this over "Drums & Wires" has me 🤨. Still, though, it's a good XTC album - seeing some reviews talk about the different versions, I made sure to listen to one with both "Dear God" and "Mermaid Smiled" on it, though "Mermaid Smiled" didn't really strike me as an essential. I love these guys. Fave tracks - "Dear God" is the big one, and a fave to sing at karaoke if I get the chance - 2.40 on is great fun to sing. "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul" is a fun jazzy departure from everything else. I really dig the opening run of "Summer's Cauldron" -> "Grass" -> "The Meeting Place" - really does instill a summery vibe over proceedings!
I had a very similar feeling listening to this one that I had while listening to "Apple Venus Volume 1" previously on the list. It starts very generic and without highlights but slowly grabs my attention, showing exciting songs with excellent arrangements and different instrumentation that definitively deserve a spot among the 1001 discs I would like to know before I die. I think "Apple Venus Volume 1" may be better, but now I can't finish this challenge without giving five stars to them in at least one album.
5 estrelas !
XTC was a British band that made music in a range of style through their career. Through its evolution, the band consistently met with critical success, but never found the commercial success to match. Skylarking is the band's ninth studio album, and is regarded as the band's best work. Skylarking is a collection of elaborately arranged pop songs, with catchy lyrics and engaging melodies. XTC, and particularly Skylarking, is a great example of a confusing element of popular music: some incredibly good music does not become popular.
This is a great example of an 'album's album' - every song flows together so incredibly well which makes it the whole a complete, perfectly rounded album. The production, the sound of the album is top notch, it was ahead of the time which doesn't sound too mid 1980s but rather later from the decade/early 90s. The songs are very British with lot of Beatles/early Genesis influences which I also like a lot. The album's length is pefection (not too long, not too short). I'd give it a 4.5 overall but the production is too mindblowing not to give it a 5.
The sound is for the most part a pleasantly chill and experimental synth-pop, with some throwbacks to OG Merseybeat and singer-songwriter folk. The lyrics are generally delightfully unserious but occasionally cringy. Overall, this album basically achieves a similar effect to what some artists were trying to do in the 2000s where they used a variety of instruments and mixed alternative, folk, and their own artistic spin (sorry, I don't remember specific names off the top of my head). And then there is the last track, "Dear God", where the lyrics summarize the fundamental arguments against religion in a beautiful poetic form. The sound also changes accordingly; it is a straightforward guitar-based rock tune, with only the incorporation of a playful violin bit as a reminder that this song was made by the same band as the whimsical rest of the album.
I loved this. Another band of whose I owned one album but am mostly unfamiliar with the rest of the catalog. That said, a lot of this was familiar — and it reminded me of so many artists as it played. I was struck that this was reminiscent of the Beach Boys in a more adult way, and I really liked that (strange, considering I'm not super fond of the Beach Boys). Anyway, smart, understated pop. Great stuff.
Melodic bliss. I played the hell out of this album in college and then put it away for some unknown reason. So glad to revisit it today. Side two isn't quite as strong as one, but it's still pretty damn great. Nice production from Todd Rundgren. All-around a stellar effort.
Love it!
Originally a 4, changing to a 5 because I genuinely listen to a bunch of these songs
Beautiful album. Andy Partridge is a beautiful human being. I love how Partridge creates a whole world you can live in.
A classic. XTC is their own thing and worth the listen.
It was good. I have heard all of the songs a lot.
A magnum opus life cycle concept album with no stinkers.
I love this album so much I literally found it last week when looking for psychedelic pop and now it’s here! It feels like it’s made for me
This was a really wonderful album and had me entertained and engaged almost the entire album, there was only one song near the end that I didn't think was as good as the rest. Inventive lyrics and music throughout and I just enjoyed the style all around. While I had heard of this band, I never really gave them their due because the name kind of put me off. Big mistake. I really wish I had grown up with this band.
Reminds me of They Might Be Giants a little bit. Very coo! This one was very playful in its sound. It creates this fun and happy tone throughout. Very cool &0s pop record!
Relistened and got it.
Very cool sound
For years only had "Nonsuch" on tape.. solid album, I liked it at the time of release, but it is overkill and not the best starting point. Drums and Wires, Black Sea, English Settlement, Skylarking are all clear 5-star albums for different reasons. Skylarking is full of great pop songs, one of these albums with songs that require several listens and then becomes very addictive, as it is so melodic and works on different levels. score: 10/10. side note: "Dear God" is no fit with the other songs and makes the album worse overall. As it was only added to the album later on, I excluded it.
I love albums that have a strong, relaxing vibe. I read online this is a concept albums about the stages of life told through the movement of the seasons. This is clear in the music. The first songs like "Grass" feel like summer. Then there are songs about rain, they're a little more melancholy as the album moves into autumn. I love the sound of this album and it makes me happy that I endeavored to listen to all 1001 albums.
Gran pop psicodelico, influenciado por los beatles con un concepto orquestal y arreglos exquisitos de cuerdas y otros instrumentos. Gran trabajo del productor Todd
Surprisingly catchy album. I had never hear of it even though I was somewhat familiar of XTC as a band.
I have a couple of XTC songs in my Liked playlist (and thought they were in my Wrapped too but they were not, which surprised me). I enjoyed the album and will listen to more of their stuff.
perfection.
Not my favorite album of theirs but I’ve always loved XTC… Dear God is Epic!!
Have Always Loved XTC!! This album was new to me Dear God is an EPIC CLASSIC!! Loved it so very much. They have other albums I appreciate more than this one but it was nice to hear things I had not heard before, so good all the way around!
I remember liking them in the 80s. I even bought on of their cds. Not this one though. They weren’t typical of my music collection. I went for edgier. They seemed more cheesy. Listening now I heard their musicality. Somewhat beatle-esque. It was like listening to an old friend.
Brilliant. Absolutely loved this. First XTC album heard all way through. Kept thinking of the Beatles.
Every song added to the playlist. Was about to write a long review singing its praises and then the last song dear god came on and I was like oh it’s that fuckass animatic song! It blindsided me! But it is still a good song. Need to listen to the rest now…
I was not expecting to be blown away by this, and yet the flow, the poetic lyrics, it all works. The rerelease which adds “Dear God” as the final track only improves it.
I really liked it again! I will probably also listen to some of these songs again
Amusing lyrics, fun music
Hypnotizing
This is one of my favorite albums. I listen to it often. Todd Rundgren was the man producing this. Its perfect. Not a bad second on the whole album. Andy gobbled up all The Beatles albums, digested them and gave us the Skylarking masterpiece.
i fell in love with this album well over a decade ago when i heard "earn enough for us" on the radio. i went out and bought the album immediately. the songwriting is very fun, very beatle-esque at times, and of course, we love a todd rundgren production. to me, the todd production pushes it over the edge and gives it a great energy.
Nice sound on the reworked album. Original not so good. Sixties sound to a lot of the tracks but has Andy's stamp all over them.
A gorgeous and lush 80s prog prop album that evokes pure joy. It's very Beatles-esque: the dissonant strings in "1000 Umbrellas" sound like "I Am the Walrus", and the vocals in "Big Day" sounds like "Lucy in the Sky". It's a very welcoming and accessible album, with countless hooks and plenty to pay attention to on each listen with coming off as overwhelming. Really, it's just like the Beatles during their Sgt Pepper-era mixed with other 60s sounds (the sunshine pop of Young Rascals) and of course the contemporary scene (the synth-pop of Depeche Mode, the power pop of Elvis Costello). Todd Rundgren and Alan Partridge did an amazing work on production, despite the disagreements. Everything is well-mixed. Nothing is out-of-place or hidden. Synth effects are appropriately used, maintaining this consistent bright sound while at the same time throwing new cool effects with each track. Tracks flow seamlessly between each other, it's hardly noticeable due to how smooth it is. The only downside is that the songs get weaker in the second half. They're just as creative and innovative, but there are less hooks and energy. This leaves most people to lose interest. I'm almost tempted to lose a star due to how many songs this affects, but you'd still enjoy it to the fullest extent as long as you're paying attention, and the mellow mood does work to gently close the record. So I can't say the lack of hooks alone is enough to detract from the full score; you'd just need to put extra work and change how you were listening to fully appreciate it.
As an XTC fan, I feel this list is lacking some key albums (Drums & Wires, for example, would have been an obvious choice for inclusion). I also feel that Skylarking is generally somewhat over-represented in their discography, but man is it an immaculate listen. Jam-packed with great songwriting and little brilliant moments that add up to such a rich whole. As an album experience, it’s probably the most cohesive XTC ever got. I also want to mention that Andy Partridge is one of my favourite lyricists in pop, as someone who usually doesn’t put so much importance into lyrics in music. He uses wit, poetry and humour to make texts that are great in their own right, and combined with his songs elevate eachother even higher. This is not to ignore Colin Moulding’s role, as him getting 5 songs on the album rather than the usual 1-2 per album is another thing that helps to make the album so special. Dave Gregory also needs to be mentioned for his musical contributions, for example his tasteful(ly short) guitar solo on ”That’s Really Super, Supergirl” and impressive string arrangement for ”1000 Umbrellas”. What a great band :)
Sometimes in the pocket with Tears for Fears, sometimes providing a melodic power pop link, it had been long enough since this list served us up a random 80s British new wave album I was open and ready. Really enjoyed and saved for a re-listen
now they tell me they made more Beatles tracks
This is one of those albums where every song sounds like a single, the pop sensibilities are so strong. I come back to this album often, there are so many great songs and the lyrics are fantastic: Grass, Supergirl, Earn Enough, Big Day, Mermaid Smile. My least favorite song is probably the one that was actually a single, Dear God. Despite its year of release, it does not sound dated given the avoidance of many of the 80s musical excesses, which may be attributed to the production from Todd Rundgren, although his impact is sometimes questioned. There is a dreamy fantasy feeling to this album in terms of sound and instrumentation, but also a working class Englishman vibe given the lyrical subject matter, the two meld oddly well together, presenting a surprisingly optimistic take on some benign topics. Love this one.
Today we have yet another artist that has never come up on my radar. It’s always exciting when this happens, but also makes me question how sheltered my music listening must be to have never heard these apparently essential artists. Anyway, let’s listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Summer’s Cauldron, That’s Really Super Supergirl, Mermaid Smiled This is the first album I’ve heard in a long time where I felt truly blown away. Admittedly, it was the remastered version that I listened to, but the sound was so full and rich, and the mix of typical rock instruments together with orchestral sounds was magnificent. After listening, I looked a little more into the album and was astonished to find it came out in 1986. This sounds remarkably more modern than you might expect. Overall, this was fantastic. I’ve definitely found an album I’ll be returning to a lot.
Oh, this is fun
So, a confession. Another XTC album (The Big Express) is, for personal reasons, my most listened to album. And yet I'd never listened to their most successful album. Here I am, so thank you. So, many of us know 'Dear God' (make sure you listen to an album version that includes it), but this is just a luscious, expansive album that sounds like nothing else, yet sounds so... Swindon? I loved it, but will jump into the reviews now to find out what my non-English cousins make of it.
Extraordinary. A concept album that sounds utterly of it's time, but also has smudges of ELO, Joe Jackson and 1960s pop in there. It all comes together brilliantly. This is squarely in pop rock territory, but occupies the more questing, ambitious end of the spectrum. Why am I not surprised that Todd Rundgren had a hand in it? Regardless, for music of this ilk, this is about as good as things get.
production/arrangements. yacht rock
‘Skylarking’ is a beautiful, musically sophisticated pop album about life and death, tinged with 60s psychedelia. Funnily enough a lot of albums from the mid 80s were tinged with 60’s psychedelia, but this is one of the best.
Es como si hubiera viajado a una realidad paralela y estos la hubieran pegado en serio en vez de los Beatles o alguno más conocido que haga brit-pop
This is another fave album of all times. I enjoyed the linked version of the album that included Dear God at the end. It's a great song but it breaks up the continuity of the album. For those not aware, it was added at the last minute and was not initially in the set roster. It's a great song, again, but does not fit the flow of the rest of the album.
My favourite XTC album. Each track is a unique masterpiece, and I never got tired listening to them over all those years since I buyed this record.
Shout out to Charles for bringing this one over to spin. I really enjoyed this record. A lot of records take several spins before I start to “get” it but there is something about “Skylarking” that just speaks to me. Every single song was filled to the brim with stuff that made me just say “wow”. The drum programming, the guitar tone, the vocal harmonies, the HOOKS (“Ballet for a raaaainy daaaaay // Silent film of melting miracle plaaaaay”). Oh! Also! The transitions between songs are so seamless that when we were spinning the thing I didn’t even realize a new song started, just thought it was a long bridge! I loved every bit of this album. It is so fun to listen to even with darker tracks like “Dying” and “Dear God” (speaking of which, Partridge’s delivery of why he can’t believe in God in the final verse is an incredible performance). This is most definitely going to be an album I return to again and again and so, thusly, verily, it is a 5/5 from me. Favorite track: “Earn for Us” with “Dear God” as a very close runner up.
Wow, I was worried at first, but as thw album just went on I loved it more and more, then I went back and I loved the songs I was initially questioning, and the whole album really clicked for me. It's really interesting, as I hear the 60's sound people say they here, but I also hear some music that would come from the 90's britpop era, but like, not bad? It's hard to explain, but I encourage if you think this album was close to clicking with you, listen again, it was really lovely, and I think this album is great. Can be a tad whiney at times in the vocals, but it doesn't detract past a small part of a song near the beginning.
Lush. This is about the album I expect Brian Wilson might have made if his brilliant, 20-year-old self had lived sometime in the mid-1980s instead of the late 60s. Which is high praise. It's not without its musical associations with the mid-80s zaniness of, say, Oingo Boingo and Danny Elfman, which I could take or leave generally. But this also reminds me of a British work that distinctly predates Talk Talk’s post-rock turn as far as experimentalism, multi-instrumentalism, recording/editing process, production, and genre-bending. This is art pop at its best. And I quite like it. It's so bright and warm and has layers not just in its sonics but in its lyrical content as a concept album. I liked almost every song. Though, by the time we got round to “The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul” and “Dying,” I was feeling tired and maybe could have skipped those two. Perhaps it could have been shorter, but it really isn’t all that long. I think it’s just a lot to take in at once, especially given there isn’t much quite like it; ie, I’m not bringing anything to the table that might help me ease into this album. It’s a completely fresh sound and I think these songs will grow on me. I’m going 5 stars. I’ve listened to a few songs off this album before, but never really sat down with it. It’s pretty incredible. And I bet it sounds great on a hi-fi speaker system.
This is the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and bitter to me. It's got tons of that anxious, foot-tapping energy, mixed with a tiny bit of that Steely Dan cynicism, but plenty of wacky fun in the production. Lots of Beach boys backing vocals, funny early Fairlight sampling, just silly songs performed seriously. Sounds like an extremely contentious recording process, from reading the Wikipedia. On that page, there's a picture of Andy Patridge self-seriously belting into a mic while reading from a comic book, and I think that pretty much sums it up for me! So wacky and fun and also serious. Gets me in all the right ways.
So I've straight up never heard of this band. Never heard of the album, never heard any of the singles. And it was terrific. It's like a Talking Heads sort of thing, with a lot of cool vocal harmonies. Like if the Beach Boys were an 80s new wave band. Anyhow, loved it.
Fantastic album! The first time it was okay, but the second time I listened to it was amazing. Can’t wait for the third try. The start of the album is the best and dear god is a good finish. Love the way some of the songs flow over into eachother. Favourite songs: - Summer’s cauldron - Grass - The meeting place - Dear God Honourable mention: ballet for a rainy day + 1000 umbrellas
cool
Really enjoyed the vibes on this one! Worth adding to the regular rotation
New Wave megalith XTC takes a left turn after their last album, taking inspiration from late 60's psychedelic pop. This sound is a perfect fit the songwriting talents of Andy Partridge, who expertly weaves various different sounds in and out of each song. Listening to Skylarking feels like listening to something special, like what the Beach Boys' Smile was meant to be. It genuinely feels like there are no low points in this album. Excellence.
I have always loved this release. XTC has always defied categorization. Each song exists as stand alone gems. Smart pop? Chamber pop? Whatever we call it works for me. Also, Todd Rundgren as producer is a good match for the guys.
Many would consider this unpopular pop but I love it the arrangements are beautifully presented and you can sense Todd Rudgrens production presence. A mix of genres like psychedelic rock and alternative pop, as well as a sound I can only describe as spacey, I love this record! My favs were Dear God and The meeting place!
What a weird, varied, and fantastic album.
Oh, this album was a breath of fresh air. I know for a fact that had I known it existed in 1986, it would have been a favorite. Why did it take this long? Interesting instrumentation, interesting lyrics, and all so enjoyable I listened to it four times today. "Umbilical" is much more fun to say when it rhymes with "cycle." Favorites are "Grass," "Ballet for a Rainy Day," "Season Cycle," "Mermaid Smiled," "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul," and "Dear God," but there's not a song I don't like. It's so much fun to get an album I've never heard before that I love so much!
I remember XTC being a band, but only recall hearing Dear God. The album sounds like one that I would have acquired back in the day had I known it. Kinda quirky with and upbeat happy vibe. I like it!
Delightful. Once again, I wonder why I wasn't in love with this band in college. They're great!
One of my all time favorites
Grass is my favorite.
I think this is the fourth or even fifth listen through of this one, and suddenly I like it, I like it a lot.
Os tons verdes da capa desse álbum foram bem escolhidos - esse LP me dá vontade de fazer uma agradável caminhada no mato. Excelente introdução pra uma banda que eu nunca havia realmente parado pra escutar.
q surpresa agradável
I liked the creativity and variety
An incredible combination of great songwriting with new wave/psychedelic sounds ingrained in the 80s. The lyrics are incredibly poignant and feel very fresh even almost 40 years later. Dear God is 80s equivalent of Pure Comedy from Father John Misty. Highlights: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, and 15.
Mermaid Smiled is so good. Dear God is so great. Every song is different and kept the whole album very enjoyable to listen to
Excellent start, just a couple of (slightly more than usual) weird tracks in the middle but still really really good.
5* for Dear God alone, the rest is pretty sound too.
This album was awesome. It varied enough in style to keep me entertained the whole time, and had some really cool grandiose bits. Definitely will listen to this album again
Que chulo, es un disco que me alegra mucho haber descubierto porque no deja de ser indie alternativo de hoy en dia pero como con mucha experimentación.
Like the vibe, would check out more from this band. Kind of new wave/pop mix. More on the poppy side. 3.5
I’ve seen alot of love and praise for this album before but It struggled to connect with it much this first time through. It is, admittedly, not something I’d normally gravitate towards but it’s starting to grow on me as I’m appreciating the lyrics and many of the musical passages more. The vocals are hit or miss for me at times, often offering what I wouldn’t expect, but Partridge’s talent is clear. This is a genre I don’t have much familiarity with so I’m curious to see how this album compares to others like it. I’m finding the majority of tracks here to be more enoyable the more I hear them. The seasons theme is pretty cool, I’m looking forward to exploring it more thoroughly. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Ballet For A Rainy Day, Grass, Dear God
I was all back and forth between 3 and 4 on this as I was listening to it. Some of the songs I really liked and some were really mediocre. Landed on a 4
4 out of 5. This album was a pleasant surprise.
In 2018 I picked up the album "World In Crisis" by Ugandan rapper Tshila. Neat album. Amongst the tracks of cutting social commentary, challenge and hope, was a haunting lament called "Dear God". Instantly one of my favorites. On this day in the year of our lord 2026, I've learned that song is a cover. And the original is amazing. Tshila's version is sorrowful, the original somewhat more angry but both work so well. When I get handed stuff that's described as "pastoral" or "lush" or "baroque" I get a little worried. It's kinda' a crap shoot if I like it or not. The odds were in my favor today. This album is great. 'Psychedelic pop' you say? That probably explains why I like it.
Summery BritPop
I really, really enjoyed this. It reminded me of all sorts of artists I like, like Blur, Barenaked Ladies and The Dear Hunter, all for really different reasons. I knew nothing going into it and listened to it multiple times the same day. I will definitely listen again. Not sure I can quite stretch to a 5, but... 4/5
I’m sure the lyrics have some deep meaning given it’s supposed to be a “concept” album (usually code for inaccessible). But the melodies and production were spot on. Never listened to XTC before (was expecting them to be a US all female hip-hop trio - pleased they were not). May dig out more.
Started like Tears for Fears, went Beach Boys for a minute then got interesting..
Not a bad album. This feels like the transition from post punk/new wave to britpop, while calling back to The Beatles era
I like XTC and this album is good, but I think it needs more listens. Probably 3.5 for me, but bumping for the all timer Dear God.
Perfectly odd and an imprint of 80’s counter culture, or so I I imagine
Back half kinda falls a bit from perfect. Would say it's damn near a 4.5
4 Definitely reminds me of tears for fears but that's not a bad thing, listened on the way to my sisters wedding so big day was definitely appropriate
This album is just flat-out fun to listen to. It’s like a blend of Sgt. Pepper’s, Pet Sounds, and a splash of Selling England by the Pound. What really makes it special is the flow.. each song moves seamlessly into the next, as if the whole record were one coherent composition. 4⭐️
Day 296 I got into XTC and this album especialky in a slightly unusual way, I was obsessed with the US TV show 24 at one point and read an interview with Kiefer Sutherland where he named Dear God as his favourite song ever which made me download it on Limewire (sorry Lars Ultich). Fell in love with that song and still had it in regular rotation since. Rest of the album doesn’t quite hit the heights of the final song, still plenty to enjoy though. Highlights Season cycle Another satellite Dear god.
a bit beatles-like at times, I enjoyed it
Dear God is a fantastic song that really reflects my own musings on religion as a young man wrote. Another Satellite is Another highlight. The rest of the album is decent. 3.5/5 rounded to 4 mostly on the strength of Dear God.
Summer’s Cauldron - 3.5/5 Grass - 3.5/5 The Meeting Place - 3/5 That’s Really Super, Supergirl - 4/5 Ballet For A Rainy Day - 3/5 1000 Umbrellas - 3/5 Season Cycle - 4/5 Earn Enough For Us -4/5 Big Day - 3/5 Another Satellite - 3/5 Mermaid Smiled - 3.5/5 The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul - 4.5/5 Dying - 3.5/5 Sacrificial Bonfire - 3/5 Dear God - 4/5
So apparently "Dear God" was left off the original release. What a mistake. Great album.
I really enjoyed listening to this and I don't think there's a song I dislike on it. The type of lyrics I can find appreciation for and connect with. definitely my kind of album, almost a 5 grass supergirl season cycle the man who sailed around his soul dying dear god
Forestmaxxing
I really liked this. It has a very 60s sound (for an album from the 80s) and a nature theme running through the album that I dig. Going into it I had no expectations and the album won me over pretty well. Recommend!
This is pretty good. I like XTC. I have and like a few of their albums. Some of their songs are great. But for some reason I never thought of XTC as an album band. I thought of them more as whatever killer track or two or three happened to be on whatever album. That is a long way of saying XTC seems to be more of a “best of” band to me instead.
Really fun! I need to devote more energy on XTC.
I enjoyed this, and need to thank this project for forcing me to give XTC a chance. In my youth, I always wrote them off as just a generic pop group, but I’m realizing I had serious misconceptions.
soirée à la campagne au milieu de l'été aaaah (surtout le début)
This is the kind of music I like generally - good hooks and harmonies, lots of jaunt-y beats in the tradition of the Beatles, Beach Boys, Zombies (like "Season Cycle"). Produced by Todd Rundgren, has some of his feel in there with the mix of pop and synth experimentation...I'd like to spend more time with this album but Idk if I will. "Ballet for a Rainy Day" is a very McCartney-esque tune....3.5 stars and I'll round up
Some really bright songs, a lot better than expected. They remind me of an 80's Weezer for some reason, I think it's the clever composition and simple sounding playing, but it's devilish in parts and harder than you think.
i got my laundry DONE listening to this album, you feel me???? i was grooving with it. this was pretty enjoyable. immediate standout to me was "the man who sailed around his soul" which was a great track, but on the whole this is fun and engaging album. it's aggressively mid 80s in a way that feels almost like they're borrowing from tears for fears, but i think they're doing enough with the psychedelic elements that i don't have complaint. if anything i think it's just a little uneven as some of the tracks feel closer to filler than they do thoughtful entries, but the loose concept of the album itself is amusing. perfectly solid album to get laundry done to.
I saw the reviews of this and was expecting a very middling new wave album but I like, enjoyed this? Like really quite enjoyed it. It's not perfect, its a little monotonous in places, but this album sounds great and I love the use of instruments throughout. Maybe this album just hits with some people and doesn't with others? I really like the more jazzy and psychedelic side to some of the strongs, Mermaid Smiled being the biggest example probably. Not everything hits, the writing is a little too "trying to say something but actually being very blunt" like Another Satellite feeling like a metaphor that was just entirely lost. But like, The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul? Absolutely Incredible. It's a light 4, pretty uneven but when it hits it's really enjoyable.
4/5
Really enjoyed it. Knew of them but didn’t know them and some songs I liked, Grass, Meeting Place. Very listenable and can see how they influenced a lot of bands/sound that I like.
Other than 1 or 2 songs, I rather enjoyed this. I'll have to check out more XTC because I enjoyed the only other album I heard from them as well.
Parts of it reminds me of the Beatles. It started off kinda eh but then it gets better. I like the tracks that sounded very orchestral I love it.
Pretty good, didn't blow me away
An enjoyable listen, but it didn’t really stick with me. The only song I recognized was “Earn Enough For Us.” 7/10 Quite Likeable
найс
At times very good songwriting, and a delightful sound. 4 stars
vraiment sympa, musicalement bon et ça chante ok
capa legal FAVS (top 3): grass, 1000 unbrellas, dying mençoes honrosas: summers cauldron; thats really super, supergirl; season cycle; mermaid smiled; sacrificial bonfire UM OTIMO album minha gente merece estar na lista eu love nota final: 4.5/5
More like this please. I little happy-go-lucky at times but all in all such a pleasant surprise!
I was not liking this at first, I’m not huge on that 80s rock sound and the songwriting was pretty wierd. As the album went on it reminded me more of late era Beatles and beach boys but with 80s production. Complex songs and sounds, but I really enjoyed the back half. I think this album deserved a few more listens through.
I’ve never listened past their earlier stuff so this was a welcome surprise. It definitely sounds like the 80s but not in a way I disliked. The first half was excellent, the second half was pretty good. It got better on a second listen as well. Rating: 4.3
Ooh en till remaster från Steven Wilson. Stackars Todd gjorde inte sitt jobb... Ah, jag gillar det här. Så konstigt att jag aldrig hade hört talas om dom. Påminner om typ Flying Colors men kan vara bara sångaren.
Stark trea med fyrapotential. Lyssnar jag en gång till är det nog en helgjuten fyra. Man kan ju ifrågasätta varför deras dåliga album var med, men är listan mer byggd på att berätta något om rockhistorien har vi nu lärt oss att det gick utför för XTC.
Æ e jammen ikke sikker på ka æ synes, det va på ingen måte dårlig, men det va så mye? På en litt sånn overlessa måte?
Great album with a fantastic atmosphere and very satisfying vocals. It’s lush and consistently good. Can’t say I was all that impressed by it, but this album is still extremely enjoyable.
This was at least interesting! I was pretty captivated by the lyrical content and the orchestration. I don’t know how many times I will revisit it, but in an endless wave of Brit pop and new wave stuff this one stands out.
Nice
Honestly, I was going to give this a 3, but I just love that last track. And it started to grow on me a bit more on my next listen through.
i like xtc more often than not, and this album was definitely on the unusual side. is this a concept album about going for a stroll while it's raining? a weird number of tracks, especially toward the beginning, seem to support this crackpot theory i just devised. i listened to this album twice, and it was definitely better the second time. i think this may be an album that reveals more of its intricacies and idiosyncrasies on repeated listens, but it is certainly interesting on its face, if nothing else. also dear god fucking slaps, fuck da PMRC or whoever got this song removed from the original pressings. that's easily the zenith of this whole thing, with grass as a distant second. favorites: summer's cauldron, grass, that's really super supergirl, earn enough for us, mermaid smiled, the man who sailed around his soul, dear god
Dear God is an incredible song. XTC is such an interesting band. I've listened to their 70s stuff prior and enjoyed it and was surprised to see how much they reinvented themselves in 7 year's. Great album from an underrated band.
XTC is one of those quirky bands that I usually can only take so much of. There's more variety than I expected here, though. But most importantly, this record has the great track "Dear God" on it, which I've always loved. If this whole album were as strong and angry as that song, I'd give it 5 stars. I've always loved that song.
Skylarking sounds like it could have been made in the 90's. It is difficult to believe this came out in 1986. I have thought about it and XTC reminds me of a band but I cannot put my finger on which band. Perhaps they are an amalgam of many of the Brit-pop bands that would come out a decade later. Blur is mixed in here somewhere, I know that. The instrumentation and sounds on here are pretty delightful. An album that feels very ahead of its time to me. I have been waiting to hear this album and was not disappointed. My favorite tracks: Summer Cauldron Grass The Meeting Place That's Really Super, Supergirl 1000 Umbrellas Earn Enough for Us The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul Dear God
8/10
I usually don’t like new wave/post punk stuff but there was enough outside influence to counter the corniness of those genres.
Lahe kombinatsioon popist, süntist, jazzist... Mulle täiega meeldis see kuulamine. Vokaal polnud selline tüüpiline inisev britpop ka ja nii palju oli sellist kiiksuga kõla, mis mulle istub. 4.1/5
Tiene unos bops pero otras dos trikis
Didn't expect to see Dear God, which is a truly excellent song, although not technically part of the original album listing. Otherwise, we enjoyed this quite a lot.
It reminded me of a lot of different sounds and artists at the same time. Quite cool and interesting album, quite unique.
It’s a good album I’ve never heard of XTC before. The cover looks like something i would reblogged on tumblr in 2018 and the music fits that perfectly. ‘Summer’s Cauldron’ is a great opener track will definitely go into my summer seasonal playlist this year! GRASS! This is an amazing track the violins in the opening!!! Entire album is great it’s a very breezy summer album. It’s very reminiscent of the tropical water levels in 2000’s video games, I feel like i’m enveloped in a golden-sanded beach with a palm tree overhead. Veering into turquoise water which glimmers in the tangerine horizon. Another 4/5-GEMV (7.02.2026)
Strange in a good way. It doesn’t sound like it came from 1986. I feel like they’re trying to sound like The Beatles had they existed in the 80’s. Dear God is great, I like it but can’t see myself revisiting it too often. 3.75/5
That’s Really Super, Supergirl Ballet for a Rainy Day 1000 Umbrellas Season Cycle Earn Enough for Us The Man Who Sailed Around his Soul Sacrificial Bonfire Dear God
I really liked this. I only knew Dear God going into it. Still I'm not totally sold on the idea that this album really needed to be included on this list. It's like 'oh look another obscure Brit-pop album' 3.5 but I'll round up.
really cool
An 80s album that sounds like the 60s and the 90s had a baby. Not that it's a bad thing.
Jeg kunne faktisk bedre lide sidste album vi havde med dem. Minder lidt om tears for fears
Superlækkert. Bangerparade.
It's every 80s band you've heard of, at home. Thing is, I do like a bit of home cooking, and some of these tracks absolutely slap - see Dear God.
Low key liked That’s really super, super girl sounds. Don’t know why reminds me of Pokemon…
Such a cool album, definitely a save, so many good songs on this album, I love the whole vibe around it, nothing like I’ve ever listened to before
idk what i thought xtc sounded like, but it wasn’t this. it's very eclectic. pop. classical. psychedelic. indian raga. jazz. dear god is great. making plans for nigel is a great tune not on this album. i was told to check that out as well.
I wasn't particularly familiar with XTC prior to today (I had maybe heard "Dear God" once or twice in passing), but I actually ended up enjoying it quite a bit! It almost feels like the perfect bridge between the post-punk of the late '70s and the Britpop of the early '90s – at least, to my relatively untrained ears. It gets weird without ever going too far, is accessible without coming across as trite and displays a genuine understanding of musical composition that many Book Albums honestly haven't – in many regards, it's not unlike a Jacob Collier album. It's also got some great transitions between certain tracks, which helps smooth out its varied tracklist. I did want to briefly touch on "Dear God" – although it wasn't part of the original LP and I don't normally go out of my way to mention reissue tracks, the song does seem to be an important part of Skylarking's legacy and is arguably XTC's biggest hit. I can't say I agree with Andy Partridge's plight – I don't think war, starvation or disease disprove God's existence and humanity's free will ought to be blamed for most of our troubles (though that second tenet might actually be Partridge's point), but that also doesn't make it a bad song. I'm surprised that the song led to such intense action from the religious and non-religious alike, but then again, maybe I'm not. All that aside, I want to congratulate XTC for finally breaking my post-punk/new wave two star streak with this one! Hopefully Apple Venus Vol. 1 will be just as good (though its lower community score doesn't bode well). I'm also taking bets on whether or not "That's Really Super, Supergirl" will be needle-dropped in the DCU's upcoming Supergirl movie, so ring me up at +1 (555) 555-0167 if you think James Gunn will be able to resist the low-hanging fruit. Highlights: Summer's Cauldron, Grass, That's Really Super Supergirl, Bullet for a Rainy Day, 1000 Umbrellas, Earn Enough for Us, Another Satellite, The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
Skylarking is a warm, imaginative album that flows seamlessly from track to track, evoking sessions, nature and nostalgia. It blends sunlit calm, psychedelic whimsy, cosmic 80s textures, and playful theatricality, with touches of jazz and waltz-like elegance. It sounds as a precursor of 90s Brit-Pop with the closing track "Dear God". It Edwards attentive listening with vivid imagery and a strong sense of mood. 4.5/5
Stand out songs are 1000 umbrellas and dear god.
I mean I love new wave and basically all of the genres that they straddle so I have no complaints
Not as familiar to me as other XTC albums (was this one on less frequent rotation, Dad?). Added three tracks to my faves playlist (Season Cycle, Earn Enough for Us, and Mermaid Smiled). 3.5 rounded up.
very good...of course!!
They went off my radar after the brilliant Making Plans For Nigel and Senses Working Overtime. I don't know why. I guess radio didn't like them? After just one listen I can rate this as an excellent collection of songs. I will listen again.
really unique, took multiple listens to fully appreciate
I had always heard good things about these guys but for some reason I never checked them out. That was my loss because this album is amazing. Serious Beatles influences here. Excellent songwriting.
I feel the same way about this XTC album as I feel about every XTC song I've ever heard - ANTSA(XTC).
Huh. My first XTC. Not at all what I was expecting (somehow I had managed to get the vague and obviously incredibly mistaken impression that they were, like, a hip hop group or something) but a pleasant enough surprise... I'd be interested to see more from these guys
Nice listen, “pastoral” really does describe it. Overall cohesive and a nice concept for a song cycle.
це харашо боже це справді зарашо цей гурт це шосб з чимось тексти такі жоскі АХАХА
a lot of the songs were 🔥 appreciated this rec 100%
Two new favorites but really found the whole album pleasant. 4/5
I'm all for having an album that has equal parts traditionally-structured pop songs and artsy psychedelic tomfoolery, but by putting all those tracks at the end it really makes the B-side really drag by comparison. The reissue with Dear God remedies this a bit, ending on a slightly higher note than the questionable closer that is Sacrificial Bonfire, but after Earn Enough for Us this record really falls off. Genuinely if the track listing were improved this would be a near-perfect album. So many incredible pop tunes on the A-side, they're simultaneously reeking of the 80s and one-of-a-kind. There isn't a single track I don't like from Summer's Cauldron all the way to Earn Enough for Us. The album is so vibrant and fun and undeniably catchy, I don't think it's humanly possible to not have That's Really Super, Supergirl stuck in your head for the rest of the day. I don't hate the B-side, but it really does feel like a step down from the brilliance of the first 8 tracks. I think the dramatic shift to a looser psychedelic sound just makes the last 20 minutes of the album feel slow. I get the cyclical concept they were going for, but I can't help but feel like interspersing those tracks rather than lumping them all at the end would've made for a more dynamic and interesting experience. The production is lovely throughout the whole record though, everything is so lush and every song fully commits to its atmosphere. Partridge's voice complements the instrumentals so well, while Moulding's vocals offer some nice variety and add a casual playfulness to tracks like Grass. Overall Skylarking is an incredibly fun and accessible summer album. The spacier psychedelic tracks are a little awkward in the context they've been placed in, but I am always in the mood for about half the tracks on this record. Todd Rundgren's quirky production can be an acquired taste for some, but it adds some amazing flavor to some amazingly-written tracks. It's a close battle as to whether or not this is XTC's best, definitely beats Drums and Wires but Black Sea might have the edge outside of the summertime buff Skylarking gets.
I really like XTC. This album is no exception.
60年代のポップスに影響を受けたアルバム。 アルバム全体に漂う軽薄な感じが少し微妙。何かの二番煎じという感じがする。
Thoughts before listening: 80s pop rock from the new wave era although I don't think they have the new wave sound. More of a power pop band than anything. Lots of Beatles inspired harmonies and melodies. Review: Yeah definitely pop rock with a 60s inspiration. There is really nothing here to tie this to the typical 80s sound, and the album is better off for it. Pretty organic sounding instrumentation for these catchy little tunes. Also just a little bit of weirdness to keep it interesting, possibly thanks to Todd Rundgren's production. I think my favorite song is "Earn Enough for Us" which is a fun little bit of power pop bliss. All in all this is a fun listen and a number of songs are going on my playlist. 4-stars
didn't finish listening
Better as it went on
Solid record .One of many for this band
Love it! 1. Summers Cauldron 2. Grass 3. Dear God (best song ever contender)
There’s been enough said about Partridge v Rundgren. What makes this a world class record is the songs themselves. Not the album concept, not the production, not the impeccable musicianship throughout, etc. etc. Those things do contribute, but 14 fabulous songs by two brilliant songwriters at the top of their game are the core strength of Skylarking. It’s the same with all the best XTC albums and to be fair, that means most of them. Over the years I’ve read possibly too much about this band and their history, but I’ve had a gap recently and in fact today is the first time I’ve heard them in maybe years. This has given me fresh ears on this album and it’s a welcome reminder of the pure class on display from needle drop to the end of side 2.
Wasn’t that impressed on the first listen but it grew on me. Especially „Dear God”. Still, not something I will be getting back to often.
Overall: 8/10 I found this album to be incredibly diverse, both in it's musical stylings and lyrical subject matter. I'm honestly shocked these guys weren't a bigger deal cause they had a lot of interesting ideas. There are shades of the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Byrds and lots of other B letter bands, but there seems to be only one XTC. Fav Song: That's Really Super, Supergirl
Really surprised how much i enjoyed this one. I was only aware of "Making plans for Nigel", but clearly they are very thoughtful and talented songwriters. I would like to further explore their back catalogue.
Fantastic album. Definitely not your typical dad rock that haunts this list. Very worth a listen.
Great song writing. Thought there would be more radio hits good English new wave sound
A delightful album to listen to in full
I really like the overall sound of this album, and there are some real bangers, but some misses too. Not my favorite XTC, but still really good.
Not half bad, I really liked the last song!
As one half of English Rock icons, Houmous & Chutney and having released over 85 number 1 records I can really appreciate this album. 4.2 4/15 - that’s really super, supergirl
An elegant album through and through—in both sound and content.
It feels like a update on the Beatles later sound: wonderfully Beatle-esque pop songwriting
By far my favorite XTC record. Which is to say, it’s the one I like.
Much like Apple Venus Volume 1, I quite enjoyed my time with this album! Although I think I found Apple Venus to have more tracks closer to my taste.
Yeah I liked this!
Had never listening to XTC before. At different points I thought “oh they kinda sound like _____” until I had to just admit they’re their own unique thing. Really liked it.
Great album. Dear God was life changing
8 / 10
...
Not bad
Summer’s Cauldron // Ballet For A Rainy Day // 1000 Umbrellas // Dear God
I vaguely remember XTC as a pop band who were of minimal interest when I was at school. They had a few hits, the one about Nigel, Sergeant Rock, and Senses working overtime. Then they faded into obscurity as far as I was concerned. Then I discovered the Dukes of the Stratosphere, the XTC spin-off band. I loved the first album, and the second album was also good. This invigorated a fresh interest in XTC, but they had a lot of albums, and streaming wasn't a possibility in the 1980s. I never really had enough interest to invest in buying an album, and people consistently told me that they were a bit crap. This album didn't cause a major shift in my preconceptions, but I did listen to it all the way through twice. I remembered Dear God as a good song, and indeed it is. The rest is a bit light, but it was pleasant and there were some interesting melodies. I'm feeling generous, so I'm going to give this four stars, but it's really a 3.5 I think.
Fun! Very fun. Weirdly on the nose about every song title though.
4+*
I enjoyed it very much where I thought I wouldn’t at the outset. It won me over with “That’s Really Super, Supergirl” and never looked back. Nice!
Perfect to disconnect from the world and just feel the music. Dear God kind of freeze me on the spot while a deep, not too sweet melancholy embrace me.
Well this took me back and now I’m Skylarking all over again! Dear God, it’s fantastic!
Very pleasant listening experience
It sounds great. Power 80’s rock pop at its finest. Makes for good workout music. It’s not a record that I feel like revisiting much, but it’s hard to find fault in its production or performance.
Yeah I liked this. Hadn't heard of them but I enjoyed it.
Can't give five stars to an album that has a song like Dear God on it. Shame, as the rest of the album is pretty excellent
This is VERY scary! Last weekend I bought English Settlement on LP and now this beautiful record shows up. Having listened to this a few times now I can safely say I really enjoyed this record. XTC is one of the best unknown bands and deserve a hell of a lot more attention than they are getting. The story behind this album is very interesting too, and worth looking into, Pitchfork did a great piece on this. Lovely album cover, great music, great production. Yes this was very good!
I liked this album. It had many interesting sounds and was pretty catchy as well. The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul was a great song, and so was Dear God.
producido por Todd Rundgren Con éxitos como Grass, The Meeting Place, Earn Enough For Us y sobre todo Dear God, no incluida en principio en el álbum pero que luego sí se introdujo parece impensable que no esté en un listado de discos a escuchar al menos una vez. Olvidando sus inicios punkies, y después de los formidables Drums and Wires (1979) o English Settlement (1982), y sobre todo Big Express (1984) . Este es considerado su mejor disco, y no sin razón. Ecos de psicodelia pop, de lo mejorcito de los 80 (junto con otros ilustres como Orange Juice o Aztec Camera, Prefab Sporut están a otro nivel ya). El trío inicial no hace otra cosa que confirmarlo. Ballet for a rainy day y 1000 umbrellas ya podías haberla grabado McCartney en esa época. Season Cycle, nos remite aún a tiempos más gloriosos. Rundgren mucho tuvo que disfrutar con el resultado de esta gema. Another Satellite la habrán escuchado The Beta Band como millones de veces. Dear God (con algunas melodías cercanas al Summer in the city) es un cierre magistral, imperdonable hubiera sido no haberla incluído. Esto en los 80 sonaba exquisito, aunque no terminaba de tener éxito masivo. De aquí cogieron muchas cosas gente como Blur, Franz Ferdinand o Porcupine Tree.
This is all over the place. Parts sound like Tears for Fears if they were insane.
I own this, but may never have listened before! Cool bombastic pop, 3.5 rounded up Heard before? Some Owned: Yes 14/1001, 14/53 (26%) Will I get? Already have
XTC is a band that I always felt I *ought* to like more than I do, even from their early albums. I have several of their albums in my collection, including Skylarking. Skylarking seems well constructed and produced, but sadly doesn't really grip my attention. I think the closing track 'Dear God' was the track I noted most.
Solid eighties album. I’ve skimmed through this one before but hadn’t given it a focused listen until now. I love it!
I’ve always loved the harmonies on this album.
Great album honestly had a retro vibe and I loved it
Not my favorite XTC. I’ve always enjoyed them and only loved a couple songs, and this was right on par with that.
Classic
quite a fun listen. a bunch of little weirdo pop songs that are certainly indebted to the psychedelic 60s but are never derivative and unoriginal. certainly a product of its time, but never overwhelmingly tacky and gross deserves to be one of the 1001? yeah!
Very enjoyable record, though I wish it was more organic and stripped of the mid '80s production. And I kinda don't like the vocals too much (just don't like their voices personally). The melodies, arrangements, and songwriting are all excellent. Listened to it twice today which is a first (about 50 albums in).
From only knowing this album from its single, I liked it more than I was expecting. Great production with the machine precision fun typical of the 80’s. While each song was unique unto itself, the album still came together as a cohesive whole. 4/5
Floaty
I enjoyed this a lot more than is expected to. The flow from song to song was smooth and the hooks were catchy. It also made me think of "Secret Tunnel" from Avatar the Last Airbender. Just the voice and the instrumentation reminded me. Wouldn't have been surprised if it was a track on this album. 4/5 stars
Definitely one of the better XTC albums. I really like all the themes of nature throughout this album and the religious commentary on "Dear God". Favorite track: Dear God
love the vibe of this album!!
Weird and wacky album that was fun and creative
Yes, that's what pop music should sound like...despite the difficulties surrounding the producer/musician. It contains an incredible number of ideas that initially make the album seem unwieldy. However, the melody never gets lost. And it's a typically British pop album. And that's where I tend to go with pop anyway. However, since I first discovered XTC through "Nonsuch," this one means even more to me. It's a shame the two aren't releasing any more music together.
81/100. A smooth, sun-dappled blend of psychedelic pop, gentle orchestration, and British eccentricity. Vocally and lyrically, there’s a mix of whimsy, melancholy, and pointed reflection. XTC navigate love, nostalgia, mortality, and nature with cleverness and light surrealism.
Very varied with cool sounds. psychedelic rock/UK vibes.