XTC is one of my favorite bands and I had been waiting patiently as the next fan for them to release their next album. When it was finally out, I ran to Tower Records to buy it. Only to find they didn't get any copies. A few weeks passed, as I was busy with work, before I was finally able to get a copy of Apple Venus vol. 1.
On the first listen, I wasn't that impressed. I thought the album had a nice lyrical quality and the lyrics themselves were pretty good. I just wasn't "grabbed" right off.
However, I took the CD to work with me and placed it on auto-repeat. I found that the more I listened to the songs, the more they grew on me. After the 3rd listen, Apple Venus had become one of my favorite XTC albums.
The songs are lush. Perhaps too lush in some places, as you can begin to feel overwhelmed by the music at times. The style is much more reminiscent of Skylarking. I'm sure the pastoral quality of many of the songs helps to fuel this comparison.
There's a wide range of musical expression and emotion on this CD. I know that XTC albums tend to run the gamut of emotions - especially concerning relationships - but you can really feel the turmoil that Andy's divorce caused in his life. Songs like "Your Dictionary' are memorable if for no other reason than they are painfully brutal. (In fact, I think "Your Dictionary" is probably the coarsest XTC song I've ever heard.) However, other songs like "Harvest Festival" are of a more contented, pastoral feel and are a bit more comfortable to listen to.
This album has totally reminded me of why it is that I love XTC. Lyrically and musically, they are perhaps one of the last, great (dare I say: intellectual?) pop bands.
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