Apple Venus Vol 1 - XTC (1999)

XTC decided to wait out the expiration of their contract with Geffen records rather than record anything new for the label. That left a 7 year gap in their career, a gap that spanned almost exactly the wild, anything-goes, genre-bending revolution in the mid-90s music industry that would have been tailor-made for a band like XTC to transition from underground darlings to rock stars. I’m sure they had their reasons, but I’m also sure they missed a massive opportunity.

Eventually that dust settled, and they released this record. Made up mostly of Andy Partridge-written songs (Colin Moulding often contributed more to other albums), we get a great collection of lovely, erudite chamber pop.

The sound had matured into something much more polished, although the lyrics stayed highly literate and occasionally devestating.

There was a Vol 2 released the next year–called Wasp Star and labeled as “Pt 2” not “Vol 2”, which disturbs me like you numbered your points 1, ii, 3, d. But the point is, that was the end of XTC. One of the great bands of the 80s went out with a couple of mature and enjoyable records, but without making the massive comeback their fans hoped for.

Tracks I Liked

I’d Like That - a classic XTC song if ever there was one.

Greenman - a great showcase for what the band intended in this new era.

Your Dictionary - a harrowing lyric about anger at lost love.