XTC steps back 20 years

Ever since Andy Partridge -- main spectacled bloke of XTC -- stopped touring, XTC has struggled to maintain its punky/new wave audience that it captured in the late '70s and early '80s. They've endured with softer, busier pop albums. But most lack the life of a real band that has played songs for sweaty livehouses with fist-pumping fans. 'Spiral' -- peppy with unsynthesized instruments, and a melody lost between Beatles and David Bowie's 'Star Man'and post 'Pet Sounds' Beach Boys -- is a noble effort at regaining the spirit of yesteryear. Parts get too fussy -- flutes, unexpected guitar solos. For free, it's hard to beat. But XTC is still at their best with 1979's 'Drums & Wires,' 1980's 'Black Sea' and 1985's 'Skylarking.' But, hey, it's free.

Posted: 10-Jan-2006 10:55:14 AM