Disco de XTC: “Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles 1977-1992”

XTC have always had a solid Canadian fan base and as someone who came to love them during my university years, their classic albums have always, in one way, shape or form been with me. That said, I welcomed the release of FOSSIL FUEL with open arms and knew that (for space limitations) it was time to say goodbye to those old LPs. Hardcore fans of the group may want the thing for its collectible value (initial UK pressings featured an embossed snail's shell as the actual CD cover)or as a great "mixed hits" car CD. But people who came to the group via APPLE VENUS should definitely try and find this set. Canadian XTC albums fall under EMI distribution (and appear on Virgin, the band's UK label for most of its career)and have all been readily available for years. FOSSIL FUEL, however, is a solid anthology and worth its weight in gold.

"Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles 1977-92" is a a compilation of every British a-side the band released during their tenure with Virgin Records. As an introduction to the band, it provides a fine overview of their career and history and you can hear how many pieces should have been huge singles, but never were.

XTC started as a ska/punk new wave band, driving rhythms, buzzing organs (courtesy of keyboardist Barry Andrews) and skanking guitars from Andy Partridge dominated the early work. While it was a bit inconsistent (mostly due to odd vocal styles), Partridge's compositions already showed an undercurrent of wit ("Statue of Liberty") and pop hooks ("This is Pop?"). When Andrews departed to be replaced by guitarist and sometime keyboardist Dave Gregory, the band's compositions became more and more enamoured with harmony, arrangement and melody, first the compositions of bassist Colin Moulding (throbbing mechanical rocker "Making Plans for Nigel", early acoustic rumination "Ten Feet Tall") then eventually Partridge (the churning "Towers of London").

The band eventually took an unusual shift, embracing these textures even further, to the benefit of their performances and receeding the punk elements in favor of Beatles and Beach Boys inspired pop elements-- the brilliant pop hook on "Senses Working Overtime" provides a fine example of this. When they quit touring, using the studio as an instrument and compositional tool became central to their work (Moulding's delicate and lovely fantasy "Wonderland", Partridge's "Love on a Farmboy's Wages"). A pair of late '80s pop albums ("Skylarking" and "Oranges and Lemons") produced a seemingly endless series of stunning pop songs, many of which are represented here ("Grass", "Dear God", "The Mayor of Simpleton", "The Loving" are all absolutely stunning). While their last record with Virgin felt a bit overarranged to me, they still managed some great pieces ("The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead") and have remained relevent as long as they've recorded.

Literally the only complaint I can make with this is the decision to leave off the Dukes of Stratosphear (XTC's alter ego when they recorded psychedelic music) singles-- while they didn't seem to pick the best of that project for singles, it seems it should be here. Nonetheless, with the material presented in remastered sound, this is a fine collection and a worthy starting point for anyone curious about the band. Just make sure you listen all the way through as the band's evolution is dramatic.

It's a mystery to me why XTC never had any widespread success. This is a band that truly deserved a wider audience. There only U.S. hit, "Mayor of Simpleton," peaked at a modest No. 72. [It was taken from the 1989 LP Oranges & Lemons.] In their native England they fared little better; most of their singles barely crawled out of the bottom half of the Top 40. Their lone Top Ten single in the U.K. was 1982's "Senses Working Overtime." XTC's music is infectious, melodic and quirky. If you're not interested in seeking out their individual albums, this is the one disc to own. [Although I would highly recommend Skylarking and the aforementioned Oranges & Lemons.] The only real downside to this collection is the accompanying 16-page booklet. The centerfold replicates many of the picture sleeves from the singles, but the remainder of the booklet is merely the printed lyrics of all the songs. It's a nice touch, but there is no band history, no pictures of the band (although they are somewhat reclusive and have never appeared on an album cover to my knowledge), and there's no discography or mention of which album each song came from or when it was released. The band has released only two studio albums since this anthology was compiled, so it represents a solid overview of the band's entire career--with the exception of their two releases by their psychedelic alter-egos The Dukes of Stratosphear. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This release contains EVERY single XTC released on their beloved (arf arf) Virgin Records between 1977 - 1992. From Barry's finger on "Science Friction" to the woefully withdrawn "Wrapped In Grey" single. Purposeful, but incomplete, collections prior to this (the very cool Waxworks/Beeswax set, the poorly compiled The Compact XTC, and the almost obligitory in it's existence Upsy-Daisy Assortment) are seemingly rather unnecessary next to this. It contains all of the hits, near hits, and should've-been-hits. It also contains all of the Terry Chambers singles (his last being the gently psychedelic "Wonderland"). Considering the genuine quality, quantity and diveristy of the material this would make a great introduction to XTC. And for old fans : a great collection to reflect upon the awesomeness of XTC. Highly recommended!

A nice "sampler" for newer XTC fans who would like to follow the maturation process. Covers the spectrum of "hits" while giving an overview of their catalogue. Still, would recommend the purchase of Black Sea, English Settlement, Skylarking, and Oranges & Lemons prior to this gem.