Nonsuch

by XTC

Overview

Since Skylarking, each XTC album was carefully composed and crafted, and Nonsuch is no different. Working with producer Gus Dudgeon (Elton John), XTC crafted their most immaculate album to date with Nonsuch. A measured and reflective record, recalling the Beach Boys more than the Beatles, the album retains some of their late-'80s psychedelic flourishes, but those have been integrated into an elaborate, lush pop setting that falls somewhere between Skylarking and Oranges & Lemons. While it lacks the thematic unity of Skylarking, as well as the grandstanding eclecticism of Oranges & Lemons, Nonsuch is in many ways more musically consistent, presenting a set of 17 wonderfully detailed and immediately catchy pop songs, ranging from the relatively rocking "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" to the sweet "Holly Up on Poppy." Occasionally, the album dips slightly lyrically -- Colin Moulding's "The Smartest Monkeys" and "War Dance" are a little too preachy -- but never musically, making Nonsuch a modest, minor masterpiece. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/10/2014
Label:	Imports
UPC:	0633367782021
Rank:	52723

Album Credits

Performance Credits

XTC   Primary Artist
David Gregory   Percussion,Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String),Vocals (Background),Band,Bells,Piano,Guitar,Voices,Keyboards,Guitar (12 String Electric)
Andy Partridge   Band,Bells,Guitar,Shaker,Vocals,Voices,Talking,Bell Tree,Harmonica,Keyboards,Percussion,Tambourine,Synthesizer,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Colin Moulding   Bass,Vocals,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Guy Barker   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Dave Mattacks   Drums,Sitar,Shaker,Talking,Sampling,Percussion,Tambourine
Stuart Gordon   Violin
Gus Dudgeon   Voices,Talking,Trumpet,Percussion,Tambourine,Vocals (Background)
Florence Lovegrove   Viola
Gina Griffin   Violin
Rose Hull   Cello

Technical Credits

David Dragon   Sleeve Art
Andrew Partridge   Composer
David Gregory   Brass Arrangement,String Arrangements
Andy Partridge   Composer,Brass Arrangement,String Arrangements,Keyboard Programming
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Colin Moulding   Composer,Brass Arrangement,String Arrangements
Barry Hammond   Engineer
Nick Davis   Mixing
Dave Mattacks   Drum Samples
Ian Cooper   Digital Remastering
Gus Dudgeon   Arranger,Producer,End Chorus
Kevin Westenberg   Photography