Nonsuch
release date: Apr. 27, 1992
format: cd (2013 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,42]
producer: Gus Dudgeon
label: Ape House - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights:
1. "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" -
2. "My Bird Performs" -
3. "Dear Madum Barnum" -
6. "The Disappointed" -
9. "Rook" -
10. "Omnibus" -
14. "Wrapped in Grey" -
16. "Bungalow" -
17. "Books Are Burning" -
*18. "Didn't Hurt a Bit"
*Extra track on 2013 remaster
10th studio album by XTC is like the predecessor, Oranges & Lemon (1989), originally released as a double vinyl album. Stylistically, the album follows closely on the same path laid out with the '89-album - both of which incorporate the psychedelic influences of primarily The Beatles and Beach Boys. The biggest difference on this is a delicate addition of chamber pop.
I never played the album much as I found that it only served to document that the band hasn't been able to find their feet, or a style to explore and make theirs. In retrospect, I must confess that I just wasn't ready for this retro-styled conglomerate and obliviously didn't share the same warm feelings for the band anymore. And much undeservedly, 'cause Nonsuch doesn't contain any poor or bad compositions. I still don't find it one of their best, but I hear some of the same influences like eg. Neil Hannon a decade later should investigate when making strong contemporary classics for The Divine Comedy. Just listen to "Bungalow".
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Select, Rolling Stone 4 / 5, Q Magazine 3 / 5 stars ]