Reviews (page 6 of 7)
Cest pas pire, mais pas plus. 3.15
Solid
Another easy listen that was very enjoyable
This album had some major hits and major misses, much like the entire 80s musical genre. Season Cycle gave me major Beach Boys vibes which I loved. 10000 Umbrellas had me confused. I would listen to a few of these tracks again but not the entire album.
Not bad
I'm not sure about this one at all really. I think I enjoyed it? Maybe? But also maybe not. Cool sounds but didn't love it.
It's pretty funny that right after a '60s influenced album from the '80s, I got another '60s influenced album from the '80s. But while I hated The La's self-titled album, this one is pretty good (note: The La's self-titled was released in 1990, but recorded in the '80s). It's another pop-rock album, with influences from the '60s psychedelic rock acts, Pink Floyd, Beatles, and most notably, The Beach Boys. As far as I can hear, this is most likely a Beach Boys-esque album. But that doesn't mean that the album only copied the styles and sound of other bands. It's has an entirely new sound. And that alone impressed me. I would love to enjoy this album, but unfortunately, '60s sounding pop-rock vibes are probably not my thing. But I can see why it is included in the list. The production and the instrumentals are all interesting, and it has a few personal highlights, particularly the fun first five tracks, the slightly trippy "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul", and the originally unreleased and unsurprisingly controversial "Dear God".
Interesting album. Didn't love most of it, but had a couple really cool tracks ("Dear God").
Solid production but didn't take my breath.
Ganz cooles Album, aber schon crazy
Nicht schlecht aber auch kein wirklicher burner
I liked it, but its not for me... right now
I liked the way it started off. I got kinda bored towards the middle of the album as some of the songs felt samery, but it picked up again pretty hard near the end. I just didn't really enjoy the main singer's voice, and I thought it brought it down. I really really liked the instruments and sound that they had. Plus the album had a nice vibey energy to it. Overall though, I thought it was a decent album. Favorite track: The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
I'll always enjoy some XTC, even if I discovered them in reverse via Shriekback and still think I prefer the latter group. There aren't too many standout moments here, with the exception of some of the melodic lines in Earn Enough for Us. It's a tad overstuffed, reminding me of Out of the Blue nine years earlier. However, the genre influences here suit better. In an alternate variety, it's XTC instead of Lennon that draws pointless ire.
Pleasant but alright
Some stand out hits like "Dear God" and "That's Really Super, Super-Girl", but the rest lyrically and vocally wasn't there for me. Some cool instrumentation though
2.7 Enjoyed it being in the background. But it wont earn a spot in the my memory as something I should listen to again. The last song I've played countless times without tying it to an artist.
I liked it, some interesting tracks and styles.
Probably my favorite XTC record. Quirky. 7/10
I dig how psychedelic this can get, but I don't love it. S'okay.
need to listen again
Extremely well produced alt-pop record here - I went reading into it on wikipedia and the story behind the production here and the relationship between band and producer is really fascinating, would highly recommend. The album is pretty good, with a few catchy tunes - but it's not really my thing.
New wavey and very British. It’s okay.
Pretty good, funny lyrics, listenable
New wave/prog crossover, pretty cool but kinda drags
Meh.
Enjoyable listen throughout, but not sure I would return too often
Interesting but nothing special
3. it's fine, pleasant enough. ends on one of their big songs which gives it a bit of a nice send off.
I quite enjoyed this. It reminded me of things I used to listen to in the early 2000s. Like Eels etc
Nice soft rock, interesting church sounds in some songs.
Ok
Very English in a Kinks/Beatles style. Listenable. Interesting to read about writing, production and release issues.
Not sure where this sits, some OK ideas but neither prog nor indie
This seems like an album that would need multiple listens to appreciate. On first listen it's alright but nothing special, despite the glowing critic reviews
I started off skeptical, not really interested, but as it continued I really got into some of it. Synthy and experimental. Another Satellite was catchy
80s bratty jangles
not a super memorable album. Starts off strong, but then bubbles into forgetfulness. British 80s new wave stuff.
"Super, Supergirl How you stopped the universe from dying But you're never going to stop me crying" (That's really Super, Supergirl) La verdad es que un poco meh, me da la impresión de ya haber escuchado este disco 20 veces entre los 1001 mejores.
Dudo que hay algo mejor del género early alternative.
un po' impersonale ma ascoltabile
it was pretty good
Está agradable pero no podría decir que me gusta. Lo que más me molesta es que ya llevo muchos tibios treses ultimamente. Sube a momentos arriba del 4 y luego cae a 1 o 2.
The Wikipedia page for this album compares it to both "Smile" and "Abbey Road." It's not nearly that interesting. My opinion of it improved after a second listen, but not appreciably so. Best track: Sacrificial Bonfire
Dreadful
#989. This is a big bowl of nothing. The only one that's even mildly interesting really is this pretty cringe edgelord anti-religion song, the rest is bland as shit. 2/5: weak
This is a very boring yet inoffensive record. I’ve forgotten it already.
I appreciate on one hand that they've made a record influenced by 60s psychedelia, a genre which yields the occasional gem, but on the other hand, it didn't grab me and I can't remember a single track. Won't return to it
This was not good at all. A poor example of not a great era in music.
the music is really cool, but it’s such a same the vocalist has that voice. listened to a couple tracks without vocals and it’s much better
it's alright, a bit forgettable
I will carry on the trend of meeting this album with indifference.
A few of the earlier songs were ok and interesting but did not enjoy overall.
Forgettable concept album.
extremely mid
Something very every day British. If Squeeze were dulled by merging with Spandau Ballet this would be it. Coronation St & Only Fools in music. Dear God is the nearest to a stand out & would have been better if they’d just kept to the opening / closing vocalist. Unfortunately other than that I couldn’t really recall a single track.
Damn, is this garbage ever hot. The plans for Nigel clearly fell through.
Yeah nothing special. Infeel this band is very overrated
Dear God is a cool song but the rest is just mediocre for me.
Really unremarkable.
Dit is voor mij heel erg van die aanstellerige muziek van die ene guy die zichzelf zoveel beter vind dan iedereen en daarom muziek maakt die wij gewone mensen "Toch niet begrijpen". Want dat dit moeilijk is om te spelen, dat geloof ik meteen. Maar is het dan goed? En ook heb ik gewoon een beetje het idee alsof dit muziek is die andere artiesten al gedaan hebben, en vaak ook beter. Heb dit echt geprobeerd, en buiten The Man who sailed around his soul heb ik me eigenlijk vooral zitten vervelen. Dit is nogal filmische muziek, gemaakt voor en door mensen die vast een stuk intelligenter zijn dan dat ik ben. Althans wel op het gebied van muziektheorie, wat natuurlijk helemaal prima is, maar wel een beetje jammer dat ik zo sterk het idee krijg dat ze het me continue in mn gezicht moeten wrijven. Dit is denk ik de minste ervaring die ik ooit met XTC gehad heb. In elk geval heb ik me nog nooit zo verveeld als deze keer... FAVO: The man who sailed around his soul
не знаю вроде норм но чет не зацепило
1.67
I was annoyed to get this (because didn’t I just get an XTC album?) and now I’m even more annoyed because I’m really enjoying it so far. …and then I got to the last song. I fucking hate this song.
"Dear God" saved the day...
what if we would try to be eclectic like queen, but fail miserably. +1 star for dear god
Couldn’t ever get into it, which is a shame because it has a lot of the things I’m into. Back to making plans for Nigel, for me. RYM: Y (#835) Saved a song: N
Kinda meh, it's all over the place (Also, who tf starts an album with 30 seconds of silence?)
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a pop/rock album with some ambient elements. The instrumentation is kind of off-putting for me and even some of the vocals I don't care for either. I would not come back to this one.
Completely faded into the background for me. Wholly unremarkable sadly
Nej för mig. Inget som fångade, tyckte inte heller om sångarens röst. Kniven mot strupen så tyckte jag att sista låten Dear God var ok. Albumtiteln gillade jag också förresten.
charming, but nothing wowed me. saved: dear god.
A lot of nature references and comparisons. I felt confused listening to this. What do you mean by "like childrens' umbilical"?
65
Album 187. Skylarking (https://open.spotify.com/album/3FVsJiQMI7dp0RfTBdWtMW?si=NurvtbgERGyEtGMXbF2nIw) — XTC (1986) idk, I feel nothing about this album. Some pop rock mediocre music. Correct title of the album — Forgettable. I already forgot the album and nothing has changed in my life. It's even shitty for background, some whining voices there. 2/5 No liked songs
Weird like off beetles shit
I reckon this is a grower. I like the vocals. It's a bit quirky. And I want to listen to it again (after 2 goes already) but can't quite figure out why...yet. For now a 2 because nothing is really hitting the mark but I feel like it will at some point...
Quite dreary. Would I listen again? No.
Oh hey it’s New Wave.
This one is not my favourite. “Earn enough for us” is a big highlight but the rest just falls flat for me.
Overall did not leave an impression unfortunately
Ah, that thin, mild, mediocre sound. This is just a band I don't get. I know so many seem to think they're one of the greatest British bands, but I always feel they are lacking something. It's all a bit flat. Songs seem to fit everything I would like, clever lyrics, humour, pop hooks, experimental at times but it never hits the mark. Considering they were meant to be a studio band, why is it so wet and bland? Where's the passion? Best Tracks: Grass; Ballet for a Rainy Day; 1000 Umbrellas
I can't say the 600 series is off to a roaring start. Unremarkable.
Gets 2-stars only because it wasn’t as bad as Shitti Politti
5/10 - it's alright, sometimes too try hard but pleasant
Kind of weird and not in the best way. Dear God is a radio staple.
Nothing special
The lyrics are terrible. Some of the corniest lyrics I've ever heard, vocals are just as bad.
Another English alternative band that left no foot print? This is getting ridiculous. I have to listen to these guys, but I’ve only listened to one Rolling Stones Album on this entire list.
It was Ok I guess. Pop with a little bit of punk influence, not as bad as the horrendous cover made me think. Go look up the cover originally planned if you are interested..
Inoffensive yet somehow simultaneously dreary
Once we get into the 80s, I'm kind off done with this pop-rock genre. Either be psychedelic like in the 70s or be heavy as other bands were in the 80s. This one is not for me
Meh. Very British and very 80s. 2.5/10 Top song Dear god
This is very English! All over the place. Horrible 80's production. Yet I can hear so many bands that took inspiration from this sound. Field Music, Jellyfish, The Decemberists and Ben Folds Five for example.
07/04/2026 It's a strong contender for 3 stars, I just didn't connect with it like I hoped for. Spotify listeners: 751.9k
Another British record where I go "Yeah it was decent, but I'm not sure I NEEDED to hear that".
Thought it was kind of interesting at first, but after 45 more minutes of almost, I was more annoyed and bored. The only GOOD song on here, isn't even on the original album.
Very forgettable album.
Felt… boring. Never heard of this group and might not again (sorry).
Based on the title I thought I was in for a Ska or Reggae album. I got the Todd Rundgren album a few days ago so that was a neat point of interest. Not Kid Rock levels of bad.
Mostly forgettable. Not necessarily bad, just another UK post punk album on this list that doesn't really impress much. 2.5/5 Won't listen again.
Att detta band fick två album?! Det är var väl inte riktigt lika kasst som det förra i alla fall. Svag 2a
åh inte det här bandet igen… marginellt bättre än förra
na ja...
Not an awful 80’s sound. 2.5.
That last song kind of goes
Too many XTC
It’s not for me.
Ugh
I think I wanted to like this more than I actually did.
Decent mix of new wave and pop, but not really sure why this is on the list. Obviously familiar with Dear God, but the rest is pretty radio friendly, mid. One of those "had to be there" albums really, but nothing stood out to me to listen to again. Not bad though, just not memorable.
"Stop trying to make British 70s/80s rock happen. It is never going to happen"
Highlights: That's Really Super, Supergirl; Season Cycle; Earn Enough For Us Lowlights: Big Day; Another Satellite; Mermaid Smiled; The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul; Dying; Sacrificial Bonfire No idea what happened with the second half of this album, but it turned from a decent fun listen to one of the worst things I've ever heard in my life.
Unexceptional Brit-pop that seems interchangeable with all other 80s Brit-pop. Not sure why this is essential.
I gave this album the attention it deserved - so not much.
There is nothing special about this album. I can turn on the radio at any time and hear music that is it’s equal or better. This album should have no place on this list but as we get further along, I can see the standards drop. When it came time to rate the album, the Russian judge deducted 3 points for having simplistic lyrics that a grade-schooler could have written. There are too many instances of mailing it in to list them all but the one that got me was: “If you fancy we can buy an ice cream cone. Your mate is gone, she didn’t want to be alone.” I mean…really??!!
This was......creative. It wasn't good, but they had an idea and executed it in a manner that is polished and well produced. This is definately not for me.
Nää brittirimputtelut alkaa vähän tökkimään
Oli aika tylsää ja mitäänsanomatonta. Ei nyt mitään ihan absoluuttisinta paskaa kuitenkaan.
Didn't notice anything noteworthy compared to other bands from the 80s with the same sound.
Not for me
This was ok, not what I expected. The first half seemed like a concept album
This done nothing for me. The man who sailed around his soul was the most interesting track, the vocal style must have been what Southpark aped for the Catholic Boat theme. I found it boring and a bit insipid 2
A bit too twee for me. It's well crafted and occasionally does pique my interest when it hits a nice melody, but this style is just not my cup of English tea.
'70s in 1986? No, thanks.
This was a slog to get through. I didn’t really understand what kind of music this was supposed to be and it felt mostly boring and uninspired. I do like the Dear God song at the end though!
"Skylarking" claims to be a concept album, though identifying this concept is difficult at first listen. On the whole, it attempts to be a psychedelic album but gives the appearance of being rather thin in terms of musical performance and melody, particularly with the vocalist sounding like a budget store Tears for Fears. While there are a few good songs, notably "Ballet For A Rainy Day", the album leaves a rather unsatisfying aftertaste, and even the aforementioned song sounds like a bad ELO ripoff.
I always found them too cutesy and the years haven't changed that opinion. There was a lot interesting starting to happen in this time period and this held little interest for me then or now.
Grass That’s Really Super, Supergirl Another Satellite Mermaid Smiled Dear God
It was nice to hear Dear God again, but otherwise?
Eh. Didn't really stick out to me, aside from Mermaids
Meh. It was aight.
It wasn’t the most enjoyable listen, but there were a couple good tracks that grabbed my attention. I’ve heard worse two star albums, but it’s still not quite a three.
Egentlig okay hyggeligt. Stilen minder dog om rigtig meget andet, så er der andre jeg hellere vil høre..
Litt skuffa
I know I listened to this album but I actually cannot remember anything to write about it. So I guess that makes it entirely forgettable.
Sardonic solipsism. This record references it own rectum.
Muscially liked it but couldn't get past the lyrics. Never heard of this band before but looks like Phish covered them before. I think I can see where the Kasvot Vaxt influence may have come from too.
Uninteresting and far too British for my liking.
Had never heard of this band, but Dear God is a song I've liked before from a movie soundtrack I can't remember. The album is okay, very forgettable & especially the initial release without Dear God. Sounds like everything else.
This is what the Beatles might have sounded like if they weren't very good. 2 stars or D.
173/1001 XTC - Skylarking Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ You know what I've said about 80s synth pop before? Yep, what I said. It's not awful, but it's not particularly good either. The couple of tracks that actually did away with a lot of the synthetic actually made the songs a bit interesting. All too few and far between though.
This album is pretty unique, and I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it…. I listened to it a couple times, and the music is nice and the vocals are good but its just a little too out there for me.
I liked the first track. Then it seemed like every other track was a slip. I made it few several though and it was better than I remembered but Dear God is one of the worst songs ever recorded.
British Pop Punk New Wave. 2/5
155/1089 an aggresively *fine* album. didn’t feel super original but it had it’s moments and wasn’t “bad” but just didn’t really connect much faves: Dying, Sacrificial Bonfire, That’s Really Super, Supergirl 48/100
It’s sort of like a mish mash of The Stone Roses & The Beatles but without any of the musical ability or soul. I feel like I should like this, but it just feels off, empty, and hollow.
This one is tough. I like the musicality but the songs are all matchy matchy; nothing stands out as unique from the singing perspective. Dying was just awful, but Dear God was a-mazing. This comment from another listener: "But the singer sounds like being rick rolled for 49 minutes". Listened before? N Saved tracks? N Favorite tracks? Summers Cauldron, Season Cycle, Mermaid Smiled, Dear God ⭐⭐ Liked it, Didn't hate it
Maybe would throw this on in a Spoons
Not gonna lie, this is hard to take today.
Enjoyed "Dear God" for the decades, but never got around to listening to the rest of the album. I wanted to enjoy this album, but it just never worked for me. It is produced and engineered with skill, and while I could hear the influences (The Beatles, The Beach Boys, David Bowie, and The Moody Blues), like most Todd Rundgren produced albums, it just felt like a collection of ideas that never quite coalesced into something larger than the quirky parts. A bit too baroque and ethereal. Only track I ultimately enjoyed was "Dear God". I was not a fan of the drum arrangements on the rest of the album. A part of me wishes the whole of Skylarking had been recorded with the same college rock sound in mind as they pursued on "Dear God". I think Tears for Fears does better versions of all of these ideas, particularly on ELEMENTAL, which I think doesn't get enough love. 3 Stars for the one song and the meticulous production and engineering.
Not my cup of tea.
For some reason (artwork, timeframe, etc...) I thought this band was gonna be like New Order. And I guess on some level it was, except it was not good. The singing was painful and the music was soft. Not soft in a delicate beautiful way but in a there is absolutely no edge here kinda way. That said there was one good song. The last track Dear God was a good stomper. Other than that, I will never listen to this album again.
Seemed a little bland. Except for Dear God which was my favorite on the album. Seems weird it wasn't included on the initial pressing.
The one compliment I can give is that it was a better overall listen than Apple Bullshit Volume One. But I still didn’t like basically any of it.
Wow… this was a boring album. Didn’t like the singing or the arrangements. Not much more to say. Weak 2.
I really tried with this one, but it never stuck. If felt like a whimsical mix of 80s and 60s pop, a bit like the band “Love” with an 80s twist. Maybe someday I’ll get back to it but for now a 2.
Didn't particularly care for this. The songs are okay at best, and I often found any potential enjoyment squashed by the annoying drawn out vocal melo-dieeee-eeeee-eeee-eeeeee-eees & the eye-rollingly simplistic rhymes & the poorly aged 80s instrumentation. All of that said, when Dear God came on at the very end it nearly singlehandedly raised the album rating an entire point. Now that's a song right there!
It ok
Patchy. Quite a silly album at times. Reminded me of Orange Juice. Moments of real creativity but a fair bit of nonsense too.
"Upon release, Skylarking was met with indifference in the UK". Men for all del, noe alle må høre på tydeligvis....
Didn’t get this one. It’s ok, but I don’t want to listen again.
The album flows well and I liked the last track but overall it is pretty poor. Too many songs influenced by 80s nonsense.
I was struggling to find a way to describe how naff this is. But then I read that they came from Swindon and it all made sense. This is absolutely the Swindon of music.
Dosta lejm, baš ništa zanimljivo. 2/5, 3/10
This was a huge disappointment, sadly. I adore the song Dear God, and, having never listened to this entire album before, was expecting more of the same. I am gutted to announce that the rest of the album was nothing like Dear God, which was the last song. Now, just because I didn't really love the album doesn't mean that I can't hear how influential and creative it is. I'd love to give this a 2.5, but I'm going to give it a 2 because I just don't ever want to hear it again. I feel bad about it, but there's really only one good song on the album.
Nahh
Correcto
Not terrible but it evoked absolutely no emotion of any kind. Seemed like they were going through the motions.
I didn’t care for XTC with the first album that was recommended for me to listen to. I feel the same way. Not a fan of the music.
Just a bit boring
Ei tämäkään oikein ollut mistään kotoisin. ⭐️⭐️
This album doesn't resonate with me. It is hard listening
Un gigantesque meh des années 80.
Excellent production but the songs aren’t my thing
I fell asleep. I have no idea why this album is on the list. It wasn't super-irritating so 2 out of 5
It's like someone listened to The Beatles, The Beach Boys and some Bowie, and then decided to just do that, but worse in the 1980s.
XTC is another of those bands that you'd think I'd like more than I do. Generally I think this is because I don't really like Partridge's vocals. Dear God is the strongest track here, though.
Bland and boring, and their “best song” was a completely different feel than the rest of the album
There were several tracks on this album. The songs were played by musicians. One guy sang the words.
yea sure its not awful Best Song: Earn Enough for Us Rating: 4/10 Stars: 2 Stars
Some pretty cool stuff happening here, but musically, all the people saying "worse version of tears for fears" are on the money. Clever lyrics, and interesting composition and sounds can't save it. Sometimes you hear the Beach Boys, and then you immediately hear the intro to a sitcom and then you get this dry talk-singing. Frankly, I don't care for the singer's voice - acquired taste, I guess, because I just gave Johnny Rotten props for his inadequacies, just here it feels like a choice. Everything about this album feels like very conscious choices and it didn't make something I like, so there we go. Every time I think we're picking up steam, we don't. Missed opportunity cancels out interesting ideas.
Pretty bland Britpop album. The concept aspect was pretty much lost on me. Not bad, but probably wouldn't reach for this one again. Best tracks: That's Really Super, Supergirl, Earn Enough For Us. Dear God was kinda catchy too.
Not very exciting. Its okay background noise
I like his voice. Not quite what I was expecting though.
Didn’t really engage me, no hooks, no singles, I think I went to sleep.
It was good, and well executed, but doesn't seem remarkable.
Moany
Like a poor pastiche of so many other bands and influences but never really pulls it off. Bit of a miss really.
Barely noticed it, TBH.
crazy that a shitty album from 1972 came out in 1986
Standouts Dear God
2/5
Skylarking’s songs all sound pretty similar (except Dear God which is by far the best song.) L = (1.0*s) Maybe l need to be on XTC to enjoy this album, but that’s not gonna happen. J = (2.4*s) Dear God is controversial enough and good enough to draw attention. When it was left of the US version of the album, it created even more controversy. When it got played on radio stations, bible thumpers protested creating even more controversy- hence it makes the 1001 Must Hear List.
Gear: DCA ÆON 2 Noire Artwork: 🪈👩🥬 Production (2001 Remaster): 📻📉🔪 Music: 🎻☔🌈 Rating: 🐦🐦/5
Not exciting and derivative. Bonus review: I've always wanted to listen to this group's album "Drums and Wires" as Danny Elfman said it was an inspiration for his band Oingo Boingo's album "Only a Lad". I decided to listen to that album first, before "Skylarking". It's really good, and I can hear where Elfman got some ideas from. He improved on it massively - really, there's little reason to listen to "Drums and Wires" when one can listen to "Only a Lad" - but it's still a great record. 5/5.
Wasn't horrible but very forgettable and was just flat.
This was great. Nothing standout - probs won't listen again but enjoyed.
420/1001
Fun for a little bit, but I lost interest halfway through listening.
Não é meu estilo favorito, mas é um álbum ok. Moondrop May.
eh, a bit jangly, on the walrus side of beetles. Not my jam
I found their previous album at the library in the high school so I had a familiarity with them when "Dear God" was released. That song blew my rebellious teenage mind, I never connected with nor understood religion so it felt like an anthem for my younger self. This is likely my first time consuming the entire album, but I did buy the "Dear God" 45 the week it came out. "Summer's Cauldron" was a nice opener. But from there everything just felt average to me, nothing that would justify being on the Top 1001 list outside of the aforementioned "Dear God". Some of it got a bit annoying I must say. I felt like I was dying as I was suffering through "Dying".
Heard it before. The problem with this album is that while it is kind of interesting it also basically has no songs that you can go back to other than Dear God. It stands out from the rest and feels like it belongs on a different album 2/5
Эта группа не дается мне от слова совсем. Очень сильное влияние многих любимых групп, но вместе совсем не работает. Лучшая песня - That’s Really Super, Supergirl.
Meh. It had its moments but dipped its toe a little too deeply into the prog rock vibe for my tastes. My favorite song was the one that played by Spotify after the album ended...which was a song from an earlier album "All of a Sudden" and follows my pattern of preferring a bands earlier work over their later stuff.
I liked one of the songs but the rest weren't so great
This was ok. Like the last XTC album we had there were a few hooks that drew me in. But they all lacked something to push it into being interesting. And I can’t stand the vocals. XTC is just not for me.
I liked dear god, but didn’t find the rest of the album particularly compelling
Not unenjoyable but not super enjoyable
I'm good, 3/10
Drums and Wires is much better from these guys, and Mayor of Simpleton from the following record is one of the better songs to exist. This one is just kinda fine.
Appreciate the ambitious approach on this album, but for some reason it doesn't really work for me. Kind of ok album for me.
I liked Supergirl and the instrumentals in Mermaid Smiled. A lot of different styles and most didn't really hook me
Silly? I dont know
Annoyingly pleasant and upbeat. Too much so that I didn’t really care for it.
I didn't mind it but it made zero impression on me, it's a good background album more than anything else.
Just like the other XTC album I listened to, it starts off promising, and eventually just blends in to the point I'm forgetting I'm listening to an album. Favorite Track: "Summer's Cauldron".
XTC’s sound is just not for me
no saves or standouts
Dear God, a single dies not make an entire album.
For 46 minutes of this album I was unbelievably bored and it had 1 star written all over it. Then the final track Dear God came on and it is bloody brilliant. Why the hell couldn’t the rest of the album be like that?
Jeez, this was annoying
Shite
This is the second of XTC's albums that I've heard here - and it's the second disappointing one. Nothing at all here was even slightly interesting.
The album has its moments, with "Dear God" being a standout track, but overall, I find it a bit bland. It just doesn’t grab me the way I hoped it would.
This is another example of why some bands on this list don’t need more than one album on here frankly
Skipped most of it, but liked some. 2 star that wouldn't go higher to 3 even if I did listen to the whole thing
Boring inoffensive New Wave,which seems to be "fooling around".
Banda em 1980 fazendo uma progressivo chaterrimo dos anos 70. A band from 1980s doing a boring progressive rock from 70s. Unpleasant to hear, sorry.
That was essentially a waste of a part of my morning. The album isn’t even terrible, as it is just boring as hell. I think a single song caught my attention briefly, then I went back to not really caring and letting this album just drone on in the background. Definitely not worth a spot on this list or the 50 minutes it took from my day.
Meh
What a disappointment. I was familiar with some of XTC's work, but outside of the final track, this is an entirely forgettable album.
"got anything that leans into mccartney's worst instincts? sometimes sounds like the beach boys but bad? maybe a little cute and camp?" buddy, have i got an album for you. tolerable: summer's cauldron/grass big day "elaborate pop arrangements" only go so far. toyed with the idea of a 1.
I do not like this. It's unique, but just not my vibe. I don't think I have the energy today to make lemonade, so it's a 2. I listened to it again and it's still pretty meh to me. EARN ENOUGH FOR US is pretty catchy 2. I like the production and I want to like it more and I dont.
Okayish muzak-style rock pop that is easy and fun to listen to. Vocals are very overbearing, feels like barely any of the songs have space for the music to actually breathe and develop. Simple listen, inoffensive
Season Cycle predates much of Jellyfish, which I'd much rather listen to. A lot of the backing instrumentation is campy in a bad way, particularly the synths. I'm not immediately hearing the cohesion within the album, though it may manifest on how I don't have strong opinions about any particular part of the album. The exception is the initial vocals on Dear God are extremely annoying. I see why this was popular but I really don't like this song. Favorite track: Ballet for a Rainy Day or The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
Dear God and nothing else.....not sure why this one was included.
Bleh
Kuuneltavaa osittaista konemeinkiä. Hauskoja saundeja ja laulukin ihan siedettävää mölinää
What if it was cheesy 80's music but also on some drugs 3/10
This album feels like a joke I’m just not getting. Music is well-executed. Vocals are the 80s-est 80s that ever 80s-ed.
Interesting instrumentation but very mixed lyrics and vocal delivery. Did not care much for Grasa, but That’s Really Super, Supergirl was a fun 80’s pop song. Earn Enough For Us feels 10 years ahead of its time. The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul was very surprising, but quite enjoyable. Dear God has a fun pattern and catchy tune.
Jammy in spots, but overall just ok. Standout is probably “dear god” and “earn enough for us”
Ich weiß nicht, hat mich irgendwie nicht umgehauen.
Boring but not horrible.
It was fine. I’m sure I’ve heard XTC before and probably will again but won’t be seeking it out based on this album.
It is funny that the previous album that I had to listen was also a british rock Pop album, and how I said that it was nice to have an album that feels different from the genre. But then I got this. I've already listen to 112 albums, and at this point, I just don't want any british Pop rock album from the 80's. Every single singer sings the same way and I'm so tired that every time that a have to listen to this type of singing, I immediately roll my eyes. So, is this album bad? I don't know, because I could hear some experimentation, and that is something I always appreciate. Is this album good? I don't think so, because I can't stand this type of music. It is unfair? Maybe, but it is definetely unfair that there's so much of this type of music in this list. So, I'm giving it 2 stars as a thanks to this list for making me hating this genre.
Kind of just okay. Most of the tracks seemed like a weaker Bowie/Tears for Fears/Duran Duran song
The singer is banal, the songwriting isn't anything special, and the overall sound is dated. It is not bad, but I'm not going to agree with retrospective praise as a classic.
Fairly forgettable.
Not awful but I can't say I'll be going back to this at any point
Not for me. Something about this kind of sophisticated guitar pop sound just doesn’t work for me
Maybe I was missing something, but I couldn't really get into it. Didn't love his voice either.
4.5/10
I have only heard of one XTC song and it wasn't on here, which I was a little disappointed at, but I don't even think that song would have gained any extra stars.
2+ Stars (6/15)
I don't know, I guess this album is too British for me to understand it or something, because this album just sounds really boring to me. The songs just kind of meander around and he isn't a very captivating singer, so there isn't really much going for this album. If I wanted to listen to this type of music I would just pick Tears for Fears, since their songwriting is infinitely better (and they have a nice voice). I really had to stop myself some skipping some of these songs. Mid 2.
This is a weird album for the 80s. There's a lot of 60s influence and it is a bit creative here and there but it feels pretty unfocused. I feel like there's a few strands here that could go into interesting places but nothing really came together for me.
I don't know why this is going in my ear holes. I need an album to turn things around. The days are getting longer, getting more sun, I should be in a better mood but we are on a run of mid albums. There are unequivocally better versions of everything they are doing here. Ahhh why!? Dear God, I know this one and it has something going for it. Okay, but one interesting song doesn't make this a good album or an album that you NEED to listen to before you die. I wanted badly to give this 1 star. Even tho most of the tracks felt like a waste of my time, there is some fine construction.
ehkä yks fiksuimmista bändeistä pakko kyl sanoo! varmaan yks ehkä nerokkaimmista, älykkäimmistä bändeistä ootteko samaa mieltä? en kovinkaan montaa muuta bändiä pysty miettimään että olisivat nokkelempia kuin XTC. ei kovin moni osaa miettiä samalla aallonpituuksilla kun nämä heh, nimittäin aika fiksua porukkaa kuitenkin kyseessä... harvempi pysyy perässä näiden perässä harvempi pysyy sen verran kuitenkin ollaan pohtimassa.. pohtijapojat.. leuka lepäilee avoimella kämmenellä kun miettii hmmmmmmm sanoo XTC. ja sitten HEUREKA... tehdään kitara ja laulataan rummut pumtsika pum pum... one of the smartest british pop band to emerge from the punk and new ... summers cauldron
more mid britpop despite tantalizing moments of proto-deerhunter weirds O.o
Irrelevant.
Not for me, just didn't get any vibes.
I've never enjoyed this very 80s sound
Meh.
I really like earlier XTC, but this just didn’t click.
The stuttering madness of the singing is a big turn off. Some songs are worth a relisten
XTC should stick to making plans for Nigel
One of those albums that just blended into the background and did little to stand out.
Not for me
Not for me
It's a bit shit
It's not bad but super mediocre. Nothing special at all and it doesn't do anything for me.
Yeah…no.
There were times as I was listening that I thought this might be an album I couldn’t into but then a song would come on that would erase that feeling.
Il doit me manquer un bout d'histoire car je n'ai jamais entendu parler de cet album ou de ce band et j'ai vraiment de la misère à voir en quoi il est si important. J'ai trouvé que je n'entendais pas grand chose de nouveau ou de marquant. Bonne production, bonne instrumentation, mais des compositions qui me laissaient sur ma faim. 4/10
It’s fine I guess but was really nothing remarkable
I read that this was the best of all XTC's albums. I sure hope that they don't have any more on this list. Meh
Well, this was dull. Even nude flautists on the cover can’t spice this album up.
Really didn't care for this one
I guess at least I finally learned who does the annoying child singing "dear God, " song
Really confused at how much I didn’t like this. Kept expecting it to get better. It did not.
This bored me. No hooks, nothing to latch on to. I expected more pop lines tbh. Disappointing
Felt like something inventive from the early 70s but not an experiment that I think really succeeded. Middling 2.
I really dislike XTC and their happy go lucky sound
Meh.
Just couldn't really get into it. It started promising, but it had lost me after a few tracks.
Seems to be designed with as few redeeming qualities as possible
I wanted to like it more than I did. There are better 80's new wave examples IMO
A bit one note, was bored by the end
though not technically bad it was too hokie for me...kind of like joke music
Thought I heard this one before. Was pretty disappointed with it as I assumed I'd like it for some reason. It was nothing special and I was bored with it. 2/5
Found this one a bit annoying.
Better than the other one from them.
Maybe 2.5, I can see why people like this but it did nothing for me
Very 80s. Couple of great tracks at the end but mired in garbage.
That shit was weird.
Had a few songs I thought were cool, but overall I didn't find this particularly interesting
Don't need to listen to this one. Definitely enough 60s music with chord changes going nowhere to cover all the bases already on the list. music: hated. (⌐■_■)