Xtc ORANGES & LEMONS

XTC: Andy Partridge (vocals, guitar); Colin Moulding (vocals, bass); Dave Gregory.
All tracks have been digitally remastered using 24 Bit technology.
Using a 60s Milton Glaser-type cover illustration, this purported to be a retro album. In reality it was another extremely fine XTC album, their ninth in a series of classy, offbeat pop exercises from the musically fertile brain of Andy Partridge, who hated touring and loved to stay at home as a reclusive pop star. This is probably their best album and features Partridge's most complete and satisfying song. "The Loving" and "The Mayor Of Simpleton" are both excellent compositions, but they pale against the exceptional "Chalkhills And Children." On this, Partridge celebrates that his home (the nearby chalkhills) and children keep him sane and well-grounded against the possible excesses to which he would succumb as a touring popster.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop