XTC White Music CD

This album stands as an effective summation of the punky exuberance particular to a parcel of British bands that all ended up sailing across the ocean to America and were captured under the marketing flag of New Wave. XTC was one of the best of the lot and their continued artistic growth is testament to their devotion to music over punk ethos or the dictates of commerce. This 1978 album (which now also includes their 3-D EP from the previous year) is overflowing with hopped-up energy and wiseguy humor.

The songs are played like a building on fire by a quartet featuring the era's de rigeur instrumentation of guitar, Farfisa organ, bass and drums--seemingly with everything turned up in the mix! "This Is Pop," "Do What You Do," "Statue of Liberty," "I'll Set Myself On Fire," "I'm Bugged," "Radios In Motion"--no look at the era would be complete without these songs. Hearing XTC's earliest work with the full knowledge of where they've gone since is both elucidating and entertaining.

24-bit digitally remastered reissue of 1978 album. Includes 7 bonus tracks 'Science Friction', 'She's So Square', 'Dance Band', Hang On To The Night', 'Heatwave', 'Traffic Light Rock' & 'Instant Tunes'.

All tracks have been digitally remastered using 24 Bit technology.

XTC includes: Andy Partridge (vocals, guitar); Colin Moulding (vocals, bass); Barry Andrews (piano, organ); Terry Chambers (drums).

Q (7/01, p.139) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A motherlode of rampant imagination....WHITE MUSIC was a bludgeoning noise: part Buzzcocks, part Captain Beefheart..."