Disco de XTC: “Transistor Blast: The Best of the BBC Sessions”

If you don't own anything by XTC this probably isn't the place to start. Instead, I'd direct you to any of their classic albums(THE BIG EXPRESS, SKYLARKING, BLACK SEA, ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, etc.), but for the XTC fan this is a gift from the band. These live tracks recorded for the BBC both during their touring days and after Andy's "breakdown" on stage during the English Settlement tour gives a rare insight into the band's creative process, dynamics as well as their songwriting development over time. About half of the material from this boxed set has been previously released and available as imports from the UK. The most startling tracks are those recorded when the band was a four piece and still performing. The pre-Gregory tracks featuring keyboardist Barry Andrews are notable for the wild energy and the unique sound that Andrews' fun house keyboard style. The pre-Dave configuration also allows Andy Partridge to shine as a guitarist. Although not as melodic or accomplished as later guitarist Dave Gregory, he brought a sense of fun and energy to the band's sound that would be elaborated on by Dave Gregory. Also, as early as the songs from their first and second albums, one can hear the unusual and creative approach Colin Moulding was applying to his bass playing. After Andrews left, guitarist Dave Gregory brought a more refined quality to the band's sound. Gregory, a highly underrated guitarist, delivers intense, brief solos that brings both an edge, as well as, more melodic feel to Andy and Colin's songs. Without the arrival of Dave, it is doubtful if the band would have become quite as accomplished. Although he never played a role as songwriter, Dave brought boundless energy, arranging skills(frequently writing the string and chart arrangements for songs)and melodic ideas that enriched both Andy and Colin's compositions. That said, the live versions of material after Terry Chambers left suffer a bit because they were using a drum machine. Sometimes this undercuts the strength of the song(as in "You're the wish(you are)I had") and on other occasions it brings a very different texture and feel to the material allowing further expansion of the songs original melody("Seagulls screaming kiss her, kiss her", "Scarecrow People"). There are a few instances where the starkness of the arrangement brings a welcomed rough edge to the material. Colin Moulding's "One of the millions", a tab overproduced on ORANGES & LEMONS, benefits from this stripped down approach. It's almost like listening to an elaborate demo. The 1980 recording of the band live at the Hammersmith Palais, previously available as an import, shows XTC flying through versions of their material up to and including BLACK SEA. The band plays terrifically and one could argue that, of all the band's of the new wave era, XTC was the most talented and the best of their generation. XTC was a bottlerocket of a band live. Although some of this material has been previously released, it is well worth the cost to pick up the unreleased material, as well as, having the comments of Andy and Colin on their songs and performances. What could have improved the box would have been impressions from Barry Andrews, Terry Chambers and, the latest member to leave, Dave Gregory. All three were instrumental in helping Andy and Colin develop the sound they had long sought for the band and, in the case of Dave Gregory, still a part of the band's sound. TRANSISTOR BLAST presents a well rounded view of the band's development and, what's more, a terrific opportunity to imagine what the band would sound like if they ever toured again. It'll also keep most XTC fans(like this one) happy until Andy and Colin finally finish their latest album.

The best of XTC's BBC sessions in a stunning package - what more can you ask? A must have for every fan

Unfortunately, before "Drums and Wires", XTC's first two records ("White Music" and "Go 2")were bouncy, somewhat disoriented, synth new-wave music. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but the new-wave sound has not held up well over time, which is what burdens an otherwise interesting document on the career of one of pop music's most interesting and continually evolving bands. Even XTC themselves must have realized their early sound was going nowhere fast and replaced the synthesizer with a guitar in 1979. The result was a decade of satisfying and consistently catchy and intelligent records. What makes this box set essential, of course, is the live music, a rarity since XTC has not toured in nearly 20 years. For the uninitiated, the "Upsy Daisy Assortment" is the place to start.