Long-awaited XTC release looks promising for band's future

XTC
"Apple Venus Vol. 1"
TVT Records
Grade: B

The longer between records, the higher expectations get. So the fact that XTC's recent release "Apple Venus Vol. 1" is a reasonably great album bodes well for the band.

It was seven years ago that "Nonsuch" came out, and in those seven years, the band lost a member, fled its label and recorded a slew of songs with nowhere to put them. The legal battles between XTC and Warner Bros. took a long time to iron out, and during that time XTC was constantly recording, thus the reason why this is "Apple Venus Vol. 1," as "Vol. 2" will be out sometime this year, supposedly.

Despite the departure of Dave Gregory (guitar/keyboards/backing vocals) midway recording, "Apple Venus Vol. 1" is still a strong, solid release. While Gregory may have departed, his fingerprints still line parts of the album. Of course the band didn't remove him from the recording entirely; instead of getting a new member for the band full time, Andy Partridge (vocals/guitar) and Colin Moulding (vocals/bass) just brought in studio players when they were needed and opt out of drums from quite a few of the tunes.

It also invited the London Session Orchestra to come live in their studio for a while.

The result is a bunch of lovely songs that are mostly appealing to the ear, with a couple of bad apples among the bunch.

With the orchestra playing much of the time, the album has a much more lush feel to it, a fuller, more satisfying sound, and one can hope that XTC has no notion of sending the orchestra away any time soon, because it adds what was missing from older albums.

"River of Orchids," the first track on the album begins with the sound of dropping water. Then plucking strings meander in, horns start to flutter and gradually more and more instruments start to fill in the sound, as Partridge's soothing voice rolls across the tune. It's a wearily optimistic, tired yet playful tone, one that sets the mood for much of the album.

Instead of whirling-dervish electric guitars, XTC returns to its older feel with mostly acoustic guitars and a springtime sound, as well as the sharp punster lyrics that Partridge and Moulding have been known for.

While many of the songs are good, there are a few songs that excel to that great status, and one that can be relegated to sub-mediocrity.

"Easter Theatre" toys with a solid drum beat, fleeting electric guitars, a strong trumpet, swaying strings and Partridge practically swooning life and love. The strings are even slightly distorted at one point, as Partridge whispers quietly into the microphone.

A lot of the time, it seems like Partridge is the only one in XTC, which actually makes "Knights In Shining Karma" such a pleasant listen. But this track, which holds only a simple electric guitar and Moulding's almost lullaby voice, build a simple verbal pun into a lovely, fragile little ballad like a soap bubble, beautiful and floating.

By far, the biggest orchestral bluster comes on "Green Man," with big, pounding and Middle Eastern-flavored strings as well as a sly little flute that plays follow-the-leader with Partridge. It's a song that encompasses a sound, like much of "Apple Venus Vol. 1."

Among all this sweetness, though, is perhaps one of the most bitter songs ever written for someone. "Your Dictionary" is a cynical, bitter and scathing letter from Partridge to his ex-wife that proves while XTC may have mellowed out, they haven't lost their fierce wit. Any song that has the guts with "H-A-T-E, is that how you spell 'love' in your dictionary?" doesn't have any plans on growing politeness anytime soon.

On the flip side, however, "Fruit Nut" has spoiled and long-since gone bad and should have been struck from the album long before it saw release.

A small polite message lines the bottom of the back of the album "Do what you will but harm none - You may like Apple Venus Volume 2."

We'll look forward to it, at least, and hope it doesn't take another seven years.