English Settlement

by XTC

Overview

Andy Partridge's discovery of the 12-string guitar set the tone for English Settlement, an album that moved away from the pop gloss of Black Sea in favor of lighter, though still rhythmically heavy, acoustic numbers with more complex and intricate instrumentation. There are plenty of pop gems -- "Senses Working Overtime" stands as one of their finest songs -- but the main focus seems to be the more expansive sound; most of the songs are drawn out to near-epic length, ultimately taking some of the impact of the songs away. Despite several terrific tracks, English Settlement seems more a transitional album than anything else, although the textural sound of the album is quite remarkable, indicating the direction they would take in their post-touring incarnation. ~ Chris Woodstra

Product Details

Release Date:	07/22/2016
Label:	Dgm / Panegyric
UPC:	0633367786326

Tracks

1. Runaways
2. Ball and Chain
3. Senses Working Overtime
4. Jason and the Argonauts
5. No Thugs in Our House
6. Yacht Dance
7. All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)
8. Melt the Guns
9. Leisure
10. It's Nearly Africa
11. Knuckle Down
12. Fly on the Wall
13. Down in the Cockpit
14. English Roundabout
15. Snowman

Album Credits

Performance Credits

XTC   Primary Artist
Trans DeVente   Guest Artist
Andy Partridge   Brass,Guitar,Vocals,Angklung,Prophet 5,Percussion,Sax (Alto),Lead Vocals,Synthesizer,Animal Sounds,Korg Synthesizer,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String),Vocals (Background),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Colin Moulding   Bass,Piano,Vocals,Percussion,Lead Vocals,Synthesizer,Fretless Bass,Guitar (Bass),Korg Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Hugh Padgham   Vocals,Guest Artist
David Gregory   Piano,Guitar,Keyboards,Percussion,Fuzz Guitar,Synthesizer,Korg Synthesizer,Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String),Guitar (Classical),Vocals (Background),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Hans Devente   Vocals,Guest Artist
Dave   Prophet 5,Percussion,Spanish Guitar,Vocals (Background),Guitar (Nylon String),Guitar (12 String Electric)
Terry Chambers   Drums,Percussion,Drum Machine,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Art Dragon   Illustrations
Allan Ballard   Photography
Trans DeVente   Vocal Support
Ken Ansell   Artwork
Andrew Partridge   Composer
Andy Partridge   Composer
Colin Moulding   Composer
Howard Gray   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Hugh Padgham   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Vocal Support
XTC   Mixing,Producer
Ian Cooper   Digital Remastering