[2013-xx-xx] XTC "Nonsuch" Remix 5.1

Mr Fuse · 01 Dec 2006

Steven Wilson VIA Facebook:

Something of interest to XTC fans: Andy Partridge revealed on twitter today that we're in the process of doing a surround sound remix of the 1992 album "Nonsuch". XTC is one of my all time favourite bands, so this (hopefully ongoing) project is a real honour, especially as Andy is taking a very active role in the remix process. Hopefully more news on this (and some other 5.1 remixes for other artists) soon.

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

Andy has worked with Porcupine Tree in the past so this makes sense.

1. The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead
2. My Bird Performs
3. Dear Madam Barnum
4. Humble Daisy
5. The Smartest Monkeys
6. The Disappointed
7. Holly Up On Poppy
8. Crocodile
9. Rook
10. Omnibus
11. That Wave
12. Then She Appeared
13. War Dance
14. Wrapped In Grey
15. The Ugly Underneath
16. Bungalow
17. Books Are Burning

Kym · 11 Nov 2006

Interesting album to do a 5.1 for. Though many will clamor for Skylarking next, I'd opt for Oranges And Lemons or English Settlement.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

I want them all and with bonus cuts! Been waiting for years for these since they were first mentioned. What a fantastic band and Nonsuch is a very good album.

Glenn S. · 30 Oct 2006

Invisible Pedestrian wrote:

I want them all and with bonus cuts! Been waiting for years for these since they were first mentioned. What a fantastic band and Nonsuch is a very good album.

IP, consider this a vote for an XTC albums thread!

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

One of my early favorite bands when I started college in 1978. Making Plans For Nigel was a well played tune around my car at that time. Band only got better after that.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

JohnG wrote:

One of my early favorite bands when I started college in 1978. Making Plans For Nigel was a well played tune around my car at that time. Band only got better after that.

+1! Loved them all, especially "Black Sea" and "English Settlement".

Rick A.

Rick Peterson · **Joined:** 23 Jan 2007 **Posts:** 388

One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite artists, but I don't do 5.1...

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

This isn't my favorite XTC album (that would be between Oranges & Lemons, Black Sea, Drums & Wires and Skylarking...hard to choose), but I think it's a great choice for a 5.1 mix, and Steven Wilson of course is the perfect man for the job. If you don't have surround sound music now but plan on setting it up in the future, I highly recommend anything Wilson has done.

And Glenn, if no one starts an XTC albums thread here (after all, Pete only stays awake 23 hours a day), be patient and I will get to their catalog at my blog next year. There are some key artists I hope to spend time with in 2013 that will take up big chunks of time, but my goal is to get to all of them (including XTC) before 2014 comes around.

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

XTC is one of the biggest bands on my bucket list. Never did see them perform live and the chances of ever seeing them is slim to none these days. Two bad. They are kind of on par with 10cc for me.

Rock'n'Roll Elitist · **Joined:** 31 Jul 2007 **Posts:** 415

You'll find that those of us who were there since the beginning in '76 simply adore Nonsuch. It's for the "veteran" XTC aficionado.(Those who came in via "Dear God" much less so.) I think I would melt in my own shoes if I heard "Wrapped In Grey" in 5.1! Too gorgeous to fathom. Let's have a look at the "lynchpin albums" (Black Sea and English Settlement) next, Andy! APE Records did a fine job with Skylarking, so let's not take that one under consideration (my least favorite).

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

Rock'n'Roll Elitist wrote:

You'll find that those of us who were there since the beginning in '76 simply adore Nonsuch. It's for the "veteran" XTC aficionado.(Those who came in via "Dear God" much less so.) I think I would melt in my own shoes if I heard "Wrapped In Grey" in 5.1! Too gorgeous to fathom. Let's have a look at the "lynchpin albums" (Black Sea and English Settlement) next, Andy! APE Records did a fine job with Skylarking, so let's not take that one under consideration (my least favorite).

I might have to slightly debunk your theory. Although I was familiar with songs like "Senses Working Overtime" and "Dear God," I didn't become a fan until Oranges And Lemons. Then I went back and got really into their early work, especially Black Sea and Drums & Wires. Although I mentioned in a post above that Nonsuch isn't my favorite XTC album, I still love it a lot, and I think it's a perfect choice for a 5.1 mix. Song-for-song, though, it didn't have quite the same impact on me as Oranges And Lemons.

Rock'n'Roll Elitist · **Joined:** 31 Jul 2007 **Posts:** 415

richman666 wrote:

Rock'n'Roll Elitist wrote:

You'll find that those of us who were there since the beginning in '76 simply adore Nonsuch. It's for the "veteran" XTC aficionado.(Those who came in via "Dear God" much less so.) I think I would melt in my own shoes if I heard "Wrapped In Grey" in 5.1! Too gorgeous to fathom. Let's have a look at the "lynchpin albums" (Black Sea and English Settlement) next, Andy! APE Records did a fine job with Skylarking, so let's not take that one under consideration (my least favorite).

I might have to slightly debunk your theory. Although I was familiar with songs like "Senses Working Overtime" and "Dear God," I didn't become a fan until Oranges And Lemons. Then I went back and got really into their early work, especially Black Sea and Drums & Wires. Although I mentioned in a post above that Nonsuch isn't my favorite XTC album, I still love it a lot, and I think it's a perfect choice for a 5.1 mix. Song-for-song, though, it didn't have quite the same impact on me as Oranges And Lemons.

Yeah, Nonsuch is an adult affair; much more somber in nature and theme, though no less tuneful. Oranges And Lemons is very sleek, shiny and bright and has its own pop sensibilities and merits (if not for "The Mayor Of Simpleton," the perfect album). XTC never made a bad album. I'm just so close to them I have a hard time with anyone who came in late, or never saw them tour. (Absolutely no disrespect.) What say you of the industrial railyard trappings of "The Big Express" or the pastoral countryside of "Mummer"? Both flawless and devoid of anything resembling a hit single.

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

Rock'n'Roll Elitist wrote:

richman666 wrote:

Rock'n'Roll Elitist wrote:

You'll find that those of us who were there since the beginning in '76 simply adore Nonsuch. It's for the "veteran" XTC aficionado.(Those who came in via "Dear God" much less so.) I think I would melt in my own shoes if I heard "Wrapped In Grey" in 5.1! Too gorgeous to fathom. Let's have a look at the "lynchpin albums" (Black Sea and English Settlement) next, Andy! APE Records did a fine job with Skylarking, so let's not take that one under consideration (my least favorite).

I might have to slightly debunk your theory. Although I was familiar with songs like "Senses Working Overtime" and "Dear God," I didn't become a fan until Oranges And Lemons. Then I went back and got really into their early work, especially Black Sea and Drums & Wires. Although I mentioned in a post above that Nonsuch isn't my favorite XTC album, I still love it a lot, and I think it's a perfect choice for a 5.1 mix. Song-for-song, though, it didn't have quite the same impact on me as Oranges And Lemons.

Yeah, Nonsuch is an adult affair; much more somber in nature and theme, though no less tuneful. Oranges And Lemons is very sleek, shiny and bright and has its own pop sensibilities and merits (if not for "The Mayor Of Simpleton," the perfect album). XTC never made a bad album. I'm just so close to them I have a hard time with anyone who came in late, or never saw them tour. (Absolutely no disrespect.) What say you of the industrial railyard trappings of "The Big Express" or the pastoral countryside of "Mummer"? Both flawless and devoid of anything resembling a hit single.

Slowly over the years I've been coming to appreciate Mummer and The Big Express more and more. Sometime next year I will try to find time to focus on their back catalog and write about it at my blog. There are several albums I know extremely well, while others I really need to delve into. I own the book XTC Song Stories, which should be a nice supplement to that project.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

richman666 wrote:

This isn't my favorite XTC album (that would be between Oranges & Lemons, Black Sea, Drums & Wires and Skylarking...hard to choose), but I think it's a great choice for a 5.1 mix, and Steven Wilson of course is the perfect man for the job. If you don't have surround sound music now but plan on setting it up in the future, I highly recommend anything Wilson has done.

And Glenn, if no one starts an XTC albums thread here (after all, Pete only stays awake 23 hours a day), be patient and I will get to their catalog at my blog next year. There are some key artists I hope to spend time with in 2013 that will take up big chunks of time, but my goal is to get to all of them (including XTC) before 2014 comes around.

By all means go for it! It's been too long since I listened to their album for me to give a fresh perspective anyway.

[2013-xx-xx] XTC "Nonsuch" Remix 5.1

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