XTC Nonsuch CD

All songs written by Andy Partridge except "My Bird Performs," "The Smartest Monkeys," "War Dance" and "Bungalow" (Colin Moulding).

XTC's NONSUCH falls somewhere between the high-polish shine of ORANGES & LEMONS and the pastoral reverie of SKYLARKING. The album also marked the end of the band's dealings with their original label, the beginning of protracted legal maneuverings, and a seven-year gap in releases (which ended with APPLE VENUS VOLUME ONE in 1999). The generous total of 17 songs was also the result of the three-year recording gap preceding it. Included are ample rewards ranging from the rocking ("The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead," "Crocodile," "The Disappointed") to the soothing ("My Bird Performs," "Holly Up On Poppy," "Humble Daisy"). As always, a distinctly British sense of place, manner, and language pervades the songs (in a manner not unlike The Kinks' VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY).

Since Skylarking, each XTC album was carefully composed and crafted, and Nonsuch is no different. Working with producer Gus Dudgeon (Elton John), XTC crafted their most immaculate album to date with Nonsuch. A measured and reflective record, recalling the Beach Boys more than the Beatles, the album retains some of their late-'80s psychedelic flourishes, but those have been integrated into an elaborate, lush pop setting that falls somewhere between Skylarking and Oranges & Lemons. While it lacks the thematic unity of Skylarking, as well as the grandstanding eclecticism of Oranges & Lemons, Nonsuch is in many ways more musically consistent, presenting a set of 17 wonderfully detailed and immediately catchy pop songs, ranging from the relatively rocking "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" to the sweet "Holly up on Poppy." Occasionally, the album dips slightly lyrically -- Colin Moulding's "The Smartest Monkeys" and "War Dance" are a little too preachy -- but never musically, making Nonsuch a modest, minor masterpiece. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Remastered reissue of 1992 album. Virgin Records. 2001.

Recorded at Chipping Norton Studios, Oxfordshire, England from July to October 1991.

XTC: Andy Partridge (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica, synthesizer, percussion); Colin Moulding (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, bass); Dave Gregory (acoustic & electric guitars, piano, Hammond organ, synthesizer, percussion, background vocals).

Additional personnel: Stuart Gordon, Gina Griffin (violin); Florence Lovegrove (viola); Rose Hall (cello); Guy Barker (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dave Mattacks (drums, percussion, samples); Gus Dudgeon (percussion, background vocals); Neville Farmer (background vocals).



Rolling Stone (5/28/92, p.55) - 3.5 Stars - Very Good - "...Too lovely for college radio, too challenging for legions of baby boomers unwilling to progress, XTC has built itself a very gorgeous golden cage..."
Spin (6/92, p.72) - Highly Recommended - "...the 17 songs on NONSUCH comprise a mature collection..."
Entertainment Weekly (5/8/92, p.58) - "...a kaleidoscopic, highly intelligent collection of off-kilter pop craft..." - Rating: B+
Q (5/92, p.87) - 3 Stars - Good - "...17 dense, melodic, intelligent and occasionally irritating pop songs..."
Option (Nov.-Dec./92, p.152) - "...pop songs of artistry and imagination..."
Musician (7/92, p.96) - "...17 solidly constructed songs...a dense hour of music..."