What does it sound like?:
This is a CD/Blue ray edition of ‘Oranges and Lemons’, in stereo and 5. 1 editions mixed by, of course, Steven Wilson, with input from Andy Parsons. The additional materials are on Blue Ray and consist of demos, rehearsals, non-album songs in demo and mixed form, videos and a home-made promo filmed as an introduction/brief history of the band for their then US record label. The set is presented in special packaging and has an expanded booklet and sleeve-notes by Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory.
Disclaimer- before this I only really knew the singles, and I haven’t heard the original so I will comment on the current production but I don’t really know how it compares to the first version. (Others please comment below.) I’m also very grateful to @dogfacedboy, @skylarkingmatt, @drvolume and @softdog for the ‘Skylarking’ podcast which filled in a few gaps for me.
From what I’ve read, the digital processing and reverbs in the original mix have been described as harsh and brash, and it is all a bit shiny and jangly and glossy, still. (This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.) Steven Wilson seems to have added a bit of warmth to it, and it does also sound quite light, with more space between the layers. The mix uses stereo rather nicely- I don’t have surround sound but it bounced around each ear quite nicely. (You can tell I don’t know what I’m talking about here.) There are still some quite nasty honking synths (‘Miniature Sun’).
The production contains multiple overdubs and together with the cover (designed by Yellow Submarine artist Heinz Edelmann), has led to it being seen as ‘psychedelic’ but I can’t really hear it much (anyone else?) I mean, it is a bit Beatles-ish in places but it’s not their ‘Sgt. Pepper’. I think it’s a reflection on aspects of the 60s from an 80s viewpoint, but apart from the jangles, minor experimentation, harmonies and the cover I’m not sure what is ‘psychedelic ‘ here. [Do I have a tin ear or am I getting wrapped up on semantics?] It is colourful and boisterous in sound, though, and it quite diverse (and long…too long?)
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would; I had pigeonholed them unfairly as an ‘80s singles band’ although I was intrigued by the love that there is for them here. The lyrics are more complex and interesting than I would have predicted; they are a very unusual band. (Nice bass work too.) I was going to write ‘underrated’ but that’s not true: ‘neglected’ might be a better word, or ‘overlooked’.
Tracks: ‘Pink Thing’ is just silly and could easily be ditched (do we really need a hymn to Andy Partridge’s penis?)
‘Hold Me Daddy’ is slightly mawkish but I am fond of it and it’s touching; rare to hear songs about fathers rather than mothers. Clumsy politics are evident in ‘Here comes President Kill Again’ which really is too on point. ‘Mayor of Simpleton’ is very good, and rightly rated as an excellent single, although only reaching #46 in the UK.
The standout track is ‘Chalkhills and Children’ which really is superb and I am very glad to have heard it. It’s Andy Partridge’s reflection on the difficulties of fame in your late 30s/early 40s and the importance of family and children as an anchor. It’s really lovely. Generally the lyrics seem rather more personal and, er, ‘human’ than I would have expected from what little I know of the band.
‘Across this Antheap’ is also very good; lovely refrain: ‘as we crawl on and on across this antheap’.
What does it all *mean*?
It’s hard to believe it’s 25 years old. I suspect the new production has helped its longevity. It’s a curate’s egg for me, but it remains a very listenable pop album, which can’t be said for many late 80s albums. What we learned- Steven Wilson is ubiquitous. And rather talented.
Come on proper fans, please add to this!
Goes well with…
I really don’t know.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
• ‘Uncompromising, quirky, strange pop’ copyright :Skylarking podcast: ’they aren’t for everyone’ @dogfacedboy.)
• XTC’s singles but never got round to getting an album
• Skylarking (start with this one?)
• Steven Wilson’s remastering
• Psychedelic pop (see caveats above)
RubyBlue says
From the press release: The CD features a completely new stereo album mix, while the Blu-Ray features a wealth of content, continuing the “virtual box set on a single disc” concept of the first two releases in the series:
• 5.1 Surround album mix in 24bit/96khz available in LPCM and DTS HD MA
• A new stereo album mix in 24bit/96khz LPCM audio
• Instrumental versions of all new stereo mixes in 24bit/96khz LPCM audio
• A flat transfer of the original stereo album mix in 24bit/96khz LPCM audio
• 2 separate sets of demo & work tape sessions showing the evolution of the album and associated recordings
• 1 set of pre-recording rehearsals, promos & ID links for radio stations & record companies
• A collection of single mixes & XTC’s version of Captain Beefheart’s “Ella Guru”
• Promo films for “The Mayor of Simpleton” (3 versions), “King for a Day” and “The Road to Oranges & Lemons’, a rarely seen home-made film by the band explaining the album (and themselves!) to Geffen Records USA.
• Presented in special packaging with expanded booklet and sleeve-notes by Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding & Dave Gregory.
RubyBlue says
fentonsteve says
Andy Parsons? I didn’t realise the Mock The Week comedian had anything to do with XTC.
Oh for the want of an edit facility!
RubyBlue says
Oh bollocks. I’ve been awake since midnight for very dull reasons.
I’ll keep it in, it’s quite funny. I am not particularly a fan of Andy Parsons so God knows what Freudian depths led to this slip. 😀
Admins, can’t we have an ed.. [oh shut up and proof-read properly]
Baron Harkonnen says
Your review sums up O&L very well Ruby. Quirky psychedelic pop, that`s what XTC were about but their`s was qpp of high quality. I never had a problem with the sound of the original album, which is on the Blu-Ray but Steven Wilson has, as you say Ruby, “added a bit of warmth” to it.
The Blu-Ray is a treasure chest of tracks, see above for the contents, which need to be heard in one sitting, so put an afternoon aside. If you are a fan you will not be disappointed.
RubyBlue says
Thanks. 🙂
Yes, I think fans will love this; it’s got everything on it. Possibly ‘Skylarking’ would be one to start with for new listeners like me but this is also a good album to get you into them.
I know more about them now and want to hear more, so that’s all good.
GCU Grey Area says
I absolutely adore XTC. One of the few bands whose output gets better throughout their career – play ‘Is This Pop?’ followed by ‘River Of Orchids’ for the sheer range.
I’d add ‘Black Sea’ and ‘English Settlement’ as good starting points, too. I think ‘Black Sea’ is the last album of the spiky, post-punk XTC – if you like this, you’ll probably like Drums and Wires and the earlier albums. Black Sea’s closing track ‘Travels in Nihilon’ is an extraordinary drone, like nothing else they’ve done before. ‘English Settlement’ gives a good indication of where the band were going – some poppy songs, a great ‘anthem’, and plenty of tracks that show an increasing ease at studio recording, and arrangements which weren’t able to be played live with a four-piece band.
Baron Harkonnen says
Any XTC album is worth listening to. Every album is different to it`s predecessor in a really good way, also give the two Dukes Of The Stratosphear a listen – where XTC truly immerse themselves in `60`s psychedelia.
SixDog says
Honestly think the Dukes albums are better than any of the ‘proper’ XTC albums except maybe Apple Venus.
ip33 says
They are a fantastic band, easily one of greatest ever.
Try Complicated Game, the last track on Drums and Wires. I think it literally blew my 14 year old mind!
dai says
Beware for anyone buying this. there are issues with disk play-ability particularly on Sony Playstations (and other Sony machines). Potentially a firmware issue.
RubyBlue says
Thanks for the suggestions, all. *makes Christmas list* Very helpful for a novice.
Yes, I’ve been reading about the playability of the Blue Ray disc- supposedly a problem for PS3 and possibly other Sony players. Appears to be a Sony problem; supposed to be doing a firmware fix but whether this actually materialises is unclear.
Baron Harkonnen says
I am also aware of this problem. It seems the issue affects older Sony Blu-Ray models, my Sony BR plays the disc without ant problem but it is a new model. I believe Sony are aware of this issue whether they will put a firmware fix in place to rectify the problem, who knows.
RubyBlue says
Blu Ray. BLU.
Jesus I’m tired, sorry.
Rob C says
There’s a table reserved for XTC where the truly greats sit.
This is just heart meltingly lovely:
The Good Doctor says
Good review @rubyblue and interested to read from the perspective of someone who isn’t a total xtc nerd like me.
Listened last night (although I still don’t own a blu ray so the other content remains unheard/unseen)
As ever Wilsons mix brings out detail, a vocal harmony here…a guitar part there…that I hadn’t spotted before. He doesn’t polish it too much, and I’ve no problem with the 80s production.
Colin Moulding is a bit grumpy about it on the sleeve notes and thinks it suffers from the ‘fill the 74 min CD’ syndrome and some tracks should have been left off the final edit…He doesn’t say which one but surely Pink Thing is one of them.
RubyBlue says
Thank you. I would be very interested in more of a detailed ‘XTC Nerd’ view, so please do chime in further if any of you feel like it.
‘Pink Thing’…..yes, I’m not entirely sure what he was thinking there. 🙂
GCU Grey Area says
According to Mr. Partridge himself (in Neville Farmer and XTC’s ‘Song Stories’ book), the song is about the birth of his son Harry (who was known as Pink Thing when he was born), and Mr. P’s todger.
The same book also quotes Colin Moulding as saying ‘There has always been finger-pointing about us taking ourselves too seriously, but Pink Thing is one of my faves’.
RubyBlue says
Thanks for the clarification.
GCU Grey Area says
Personally, I think ‘Pink Thing’ sticks out like a, well, pink thing, and would have been best left for a ‘b-side’ or rareties collection. It does have a lovely guitar solo on it, though.
Nice review of the record, Ruby.
Hopefully, Father Christmas will bring me one.
Kaisfatdad says
Excellent review, Ruby. What surprised me was that you’d only heard the singles.
I’m not very knowledgeable about XTC but I’ve mostly thought of them as an album band. Other than the early ones from the first couple of albums, I’d be hard-pressed to name a single. We live and learn!
RubyBlue says
Yes, I suspect it’s the effect of ‘Making Plans for Nigel’ and ‘Senses Working Overtime’ effect- I just thought, hmmm, good quirky middle-range pop band, and thought no more of them. It’s only been in recent years that I’ve realised what critical acclaim they have.
Funny, the blind spots we have.
RubyBlue says
Effect, effect…lack of sleep’s affecting me.
carabara says
Ruby: There have been a fair few XTC compilations released over the years but, if you’re looking for a good overview of XTC before taking the plunge with their back catalogue, I would strongly recommend the double CD, Fossil Fuel.
As compilations go, it gives a very good account of the range and diversity of XTC’s music over the years (although it doesn’t include anything from the wonderful Apple Venus and their last album Wasp Star – which is worth buying if only for the infectious toe tapper ‘Stupidly Happy’).
RubyBlue says
@carabara Thank you! I’ll get that one. I think the guys on the ‘Skylarking’ podcast recommended it too. Cheers.
Oh, so much good music, too little time. 🙂
Baron Harkonnen says
On the subject of the Blu-Ray issue this from Burning Shed;
You may be aware of some problems playing the bluray disc on a Sony player. This can affect some standalone bluray players and Playstation 3 models.
We have confirmed with Sony that it is a firmware issue. If your disc won’t play it’s not because the disc is faulty – if you can try it on a non-Sony player you’ll see everything as beautifully as intended.
At the moment the disc author and Sony are working on a firmware fix for the problem. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR DISC!
Bear with us. We’ll keep our Twitter and Facebook feeds updated and if there’s anything you need to do to your Sony player we’ll let you know by email and on those platforms as soon as we can. I’m sorry if you’ve emailed us and we haven’t replied – we’re just trying to do our best to get the word out as efficiently as possible.
Here is a post from Neil, the disc author, on the Steve Hoffman forum which provides some more info:
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/xtc-oranges-lemons-blu-ray-clarification.475683/
Mostly though, don’t worry. This Sony firmware issue will be fixed and you will get to see XTC in all their fruity glory.
We will update you when we get more news.
RubyBlue says
Thanks, yes, just saw this. Hopefully it will be fine.
Ainsley says
The new Fragile Blu-ray has the same warnings on it
el toro says
XTC……best band ever. Never made a bad track.
Not opinion……..fact!