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English Settlement | 
| Artist: Xtc
Label: Caroline
Category: Music
Buy New: $15.98
Rating:  61 reviews
Sales Rank: 6593
Format: Original Recording Reissued, Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 50660
UPC: 766481782827
EAN: 0724385066023
ASIN: B00005ATHJ
Release Date: June 25, 2002
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Runaways - XTC, Moulding, Colin | | • | Ball and Chain - XTC, Moulding, Colin | | • | Senses Working Overtime | | • | Jason and the Argonauts | | • | No Thugs in Our House | | • | Yacht Dance | | • | All of a Sudden (It's Too Late) | | • | Melt the Guns | | • | Leisure | | • | It's Nearly Africa | | • | Knuckle Down | | • | Fly on the Wall - XTC, Moulding, Colin | | • | Down in the Cockpit | | • | English Roundabout - XTC, Moulding, Colin | | • | Snowman |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential recording
English Settlement is a watershed work for XTC that provides a valuable link between the band they had been (caustic, high pitched, and quirky) and the band they became (sublime, pastoral, and still undeniably quirky). It reveals a band in transition, coming only months before swearing off touring, due to Andy Partridge's stage fright, and the subsequent departure of drummer Terry Chambers. Despite the internal hemorrhaging, or perhaps because of it, XTC produced their finest record. English Settlement deals largely with the horrors of modern life and ordinary people's attempts to make sense of it all. Racism, violence, and the senseless proliferation of weapons are ingeniously examined in songs such as "Runaways," "No Thugs in Our House," and "Melt the Guns." The record's finest moment, however, plays against these horrors with "Senses Working Overtime," a pastoral piece celebrating life and all its simple wonders--the beautiful as well as the commonplace. With its majestic, sweeping chorus and hilarious lyrics, "Senses" laid the groundwork for XTC's '80s sound and established Andy Partridge alongside Elvis Costello as one of England's premier songwriters. The album also features two of bassist Colin Moulding's finest compositions: the frenetic "English Roundabout," which builds the narrator's disgruntlement with a delirious, staccato guitar attack, and "Ball and Chain," a compelling plea for landmark conservation that would have fit flawlessly on the Kinks' reactionary manifesto, The Village Green Preservation Society. This was the last time XTC would record as a bona fide rock quartet and it presents the band at the height of its playful glory as they enthusiastically trip down a fertile new path into uncharted territory. --Paul Ducey
Album Description
Remastered reissue of 1982 album features the classic 'Senses Working Overtime'. Virgin Records. 2001.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 56 more reviews...
 Classic XTC - the best June 15, 2008
Jens (Montreal)
"English Settlement" is definitive XTC at their best. Be aware, however, that this earlier CD does not contain the song "Leisure" or "Down In The Cockpit" (which appear only on the reissue). Nonetheless, it does include some of the best XTC ever recorded and could almost be a "best of" collection. "It's Nearly Africa" is the song that hooked me on the group, and "Melt The Guns" sealed the deal. Other great songs are "No Thugs in Our House" and, of course, "Senses Working Overtime." This album (or the reissue) is a no-brainer for even the least-committed XTC fans. Another classic not to be missed is "Mummer," which includes two of the best XTC songs ever, "Deliver Us from the Elements" and "Human Alchemy."
XTC's finest hour. November 23, 2007
G. Merritt (Boulder, CO)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"And I can see, hear, smell, touch, taste,
And I've got one, two, three, four, five,
Senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in
I've got one, two, three, four, five
Senses working overtime
Trying to tell the difference
'tween the goods and grime
Turds and treasure
And there's one, two, three, four, five
Senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in
I've got one, two, three, four, five
Senses working overtime
Trying to taste the difference
'tween a lemon and a lime
Pain and the pleasure,
And the church bells softly chime."
English Settlement is quintessential XTC, and is considered a turning point in the band's career, from the irascible, high-pitched band it was, to the sublime, quirky, psychedelic-pop band it was to become. English Settlement was a 1980s existential anthem of the horrors of modern life. At the time of this album, XTC consisted of Colin Moulding (vocals, fretless bass, Fender bass, mini-Korg, piano, percussion), tortured-genius Andy Partridge (lead and backing vocals, electric guitar, semi-acoustic electric 12-string guitar, semi-acoustic electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mini-Korg, Prophet V, anklung, alto sax, percussion, frog), Dave Gregory (electric 12-string guitar, electric guitars, nylon-string Spanish guitar, semi-acoustic electric 12-string guitar, Prophet V, mini-Korg, backing vocals, percussion, piano), and Terry Chambers (drums, drum synthesiser, percussion, backing vocals). Released on February 12, 1982, the album resulted in three UK singles: "Senses Working Overtime" (the album's finest cut, in my opinion), "Ball And Chain," and "No Thugs in Our House." In promoting this album, XTC only performed nine shows on their 1982 English Settlement World Tour due to Partridge's on-stage mental breakdown at Le Palace in Paris, France on March 18, 1982.
Digitally remastered, this album/CD has never sounded better. Album tracks include:
1. Runaways (2001 Digital Remaster)
2. Ball And Chain (2001 Digital Remaster)
3. Senses Working Overtime (2001 Digital Remaster)
4. Jason And The Argonauts (2001 Digital Remaster)
5. No Thugs In Our House (2001 Digital Remaster)
6. Yacht Dance (2001 Digital Remaster)
7. All Of A Sudden (It's Too Late) (2001 Digital Remaster)
8. Melt The Guns (2001 Digital Remaster)
9. Leisure (2001 Digital Remaster)
10. It's Nearly Africa (2001 Digital Remaster)
11. Knuckle Down (2001 Digital Remaster)
12. Fly On The Wall (2001 Digital Remaster)
13. Down In The Cockpit (2001 Digital Remaster)
14. English Roundabout (2001 Digital Remaster)
15. Snowman (2001 Digital Remaster)
G. Merritt
XTC English Settlement September 29, 2007
Thoma M. Kelley Jr. (Pensacola FL)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Great music, of a alternative group, in the 80's. Bought the album, for the song, "Jason and the Argonauts", although it had more songs I now remember. I'm really glad I got the CD, to return to a time, when alternative was true alternatve and just taking back a time thats not here, anymore
a favorite July 2, 2007
DKDC (Washington, DC USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A favorite of mine for a long time. interesting lyrics, jumping rhythms, Listen to "no thugs" or "fly on the wall" - great sounds!
English Settlement November 27, 2006
Christopher D. Bogush (New Castle,DE USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The first time I heard this band "Senses Working Overtime" I was stunned! Way back in the 80's when I considered music to be dying on a knotted,shriveled vine (This is the album/band that pulled my head out of 70's denim)I listened and fell in love with this band.
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