Counterbalance: XTC’s SKYLARKING
To me there is no debating the brilliance of Skylarking. Out of the thousands of albums I have heard in my lifetime, and the dozens of times I have listened to Skylarking (in it’s entirety. It’s the only way to fly with this one, trust me!), it remains way, way up there with my all time favorites.
The fine folks over at Popmatters, a far better and more balanced pop culture site than, say, Pitchfork (had to get that in), is having a discussion on the merits of this masterpiece. Again, I didn’t think it was possible to not become a drooling fanatic after listening to this album, but the dude on counterpoint seems to think it a forgettable LP.
As you say, there is no debating the brilliance of this album. What do you make of the edition that came out a couple of years ago that fixes the polarity problem? I never knew there was a problem until I was told there was one. Anybody out there know if there is a huge difference in sound? The cover certainly is jarring. The cost of the vinyl is outrageous, but I saw there is a CD version now at a more modest price.
I couldn’t tell ya. Like you the old edition always sounded just fine to my ears. I guess the flower/pubes cover was the original, but i dunno…I’m no prude, but with 2 young daughters in the house I’m not sure I’d be displaying it on the shelf! As Brian said, if anyone has any opinion on the difference in sound I’d appreciate hearing about it as well.
My second favorite after English Settlement. Aparently Andy had issues with Todd Rundgren but who cares. Its a derned near perfect record. I have listened to a rip of the “corrected polarity edition” and hear no if not subtle difference.
When and if Steven Wilson get his grubby mitts on this Ill take the plunge. Until then Im happy with my Virgin (TWSS) remaster.
Hey Daddydinorawk (can I call you Daddy for short?), I’ve heard about the issues with TR, and I’m thrilled you can’t hear any difference, which means I won’t be spending any more hard earned on it. Yes, anything Wilson touches turns to platinum, I wish he would take this one on as he did the other.
Some call me…Tim? You can just call me Craig 🙂 Yeah I hope he has time to get to Settlement and Skylarking and I would be happy.
Yeah no real difference and that cover is kinda horrible (Sorry Andy, some us have young children).
Ah, a Holy Grail reference! I knew we would get along!
Yep, Ian, this is the XTC album for me too. As you say, you put on ‘Summer’s Cauldron’ and you’ve got to listen to the whole thing! It’s just so full of colour and variety. I’ve got the original Virgin UK CD which sounds fine to me. Some of the reissues (especially English Settlement, Chips From The Chocolate Fireball and Nonsuch) have been really atrociously remastered with way too much bass. I’ve never been particularly fond of ‘Dear God’ anyway. It sounds like it belongs on a completely different XTC album, more in the style of ‘Nonsuch’.
Hi Matt. I actually like Dear God, but I agree that it doesn’t really work in the context of Skylarking.