XTC Skylarking CD

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 One Of My Favorites
I love this band and have always loved this album. I was heartbroken to hear that XTC didn't like Todd Rundgren and vice versa, they made great music together. This is a true album that carries over an entire concept. Not a concept album per se, but you can tell everything is of the same piece. I just love everything on this disc. I had the original vinyl record, before they had included Dear God, but got rid of it when I bought it on cd. I hadn't even realized I'd lost a song in trade for Dear God. It's a delight to have Mermaid Smiled back in place. The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul is one of those songs that stays in my head for days after I hear it. But that's the whole album, more hooks than a tackle box.
Submitted by jmayn (Los Angeles, CA, USA) 
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 Another one of the best XTC albums
Actually, the track order was not, as a previous reviewer stated, "shifted." This was the original track order of the vinyl LP, tracks 1-14 on the CD, with "Dear God" added to later issues. And, as the album stands, "Dear God" doesn't even belong here. The original track lineup (restored here) comprises simply the most relistenable and omnienjoyable music of the mid-to-late eighties, all sweetness and light: the perfect pop symphony. Try it without track 15 and see if it's not a breath of fresh air through your sound system. Sure, "Dear God" was also a Rundgren production, and an important single, but the album-as-album has never been bettered than in its original order.
Submitted by Al Thump (NYCNY)
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 Dear Gods....
As good as it gets. Period. This is one of the greatest albums of all time, not just of the 80's. The band (and producer Rundgren) are all in peak form. Guitarwise, Dave Gregory shines. Rundgrens linking of the tracks is inspired as well. If this is the result of what happens when you hate the producers guts, there should be more of this sort of thing. A couple of successful singles in "Dear God" and "Grass", but the real gold is to be found elsewhere for me (not that I dont like the singles). "1000 Umbrellas" is jaw-droppingly brilliant, "Earn Enough for Us" is the should've-been huge catchy single and "Summers Cauldron" sets the tone with lazy summers feel, courtesy of hazy keyboards and sound effects. First class songwriting, arranging, playing, production and remastering make this an all-time classic.
Submitted by Woody (NSW, Australia)
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 One of a whole list of great XTC albums
I have been a fan of XTC since before URGH Music War came out. They are truly one of the all time great bands. Skylarking reveals some classic XTC phrasing as well as some unique to this album, but everything flows well. It's always a treat to find an album that you can put on trach #1 and just let it play till it repeats....and still want to keep listening again. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this group of songs played in their proper order. Excellent work guys! Andy.....you're talents have never been ignored, but admired instead.
Submitted by Randy D. (Soddy Daisy, TN USA)
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 SKYLARKING - Leaving the competition behind
XTC live in the same world as contemporaries such as Squeeze and predecessors the Kinks. Hugely underated but adored by their loyal army of fans. No longer chart contenders but going concerns nevertheless. Skylarking from 1986 was a flop in the UK but sold reasonably well in the States and helped kick start the bands career in the US. The bible bashing 'Dear God' was a big radio hit in America and was eventually shoehorned into the Uk and US versions of the album (it was previously only a b - side). This track aside, the rest of Skylarking is a trippy, Beatles/Beachboys hybrid that often astonishes with smart arrangements and wonderful lyrics. Andy Partridge was at the top of his game and basist Colin Moulding contributed two of his finest songs - 'Grass' and 'The Meeting Place' (both chosen as singles). Todd Rungren's production is sympathetic and the running order near flawless. Only the brash Byrds like 'Earn Enough For Us' carried the bands brash new wave pop stylings of old and is probably why Skylarking left a lot of fans confused and disapointed. Highlights include 'Season's Cycle', 'Ballet For A Rainy Day', 'Mermaid Smiled' and the comic book homage 'That's Really Super Super Girl'. The 80's Sgt Pepper - Kaiser Chiefs, Oasis and Blur were definately taking notes. Also recommended - Oranges and Lemons and Apple Venus Vol 1.
Submitted by hippymusicman (Boston, Uk)
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