English Settlement

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

This article is about the XTC album. For the historical area of the United States known as the English Settlement, see English Settlement (Illinois).
English Settlement
File:XTC English Settlement.jpg
Studio album by XTC
Released 12 February 1982
Recorded October–November 1981 at The Manor, Shipton-on-Cherwell, Oxfordshire, England
Genre New wave, alternative rock
Length 72:22
Label Virgin Records
Producer Hugh Padgham, XTC
XTC chronology
Black Sea
(1980)Black Sea1980		 English Settlement
(1982)		 Mummer
(1983)Mummer1983
Singles from English Settlement
  1. "Senses Working Overtime"
    Released: January 1982
  2. "Ball and Chain"
    Released: February 1982
  3. "No Thugs In Our House"
    Released: May 1982
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 4/5 stars [1]
Pitchfork (10.0/10) [2]
Q 4/5 stars [3]
Robert Christgau (B+) [4]
Rolling Stone 3/5 stars [5]
Smash Hits 8.5/10[6]

English Settlement is the fifth studio album by the English band XTC, released on 12 February 1982. The album reached No. 5 on the UK Album Chart and No. 48 on the Billboard 200 album chart.[7]

Some prevalent lyrical themes include the preservation of buildings, world peace, youthful rebellion, and the frustrations of love.

Album information

The Uffington White Horse.

The cover design is based upon the Uffington White Horse in southwest Oxfordshire, which is about 8 miles east of Swindon, Wiltshire, XTC's home town.

The album spawned three UK singles: "Senses Working Overtime" (released on 8 January 1982 and reaching No. 10 on the UK singles chart); "Ball And Chain" (released 26 February 1982 and reaching No. 58 on the UK singles chart); and "No Thugs in Our House" (released 14 May 1982).

The album was previewed with a live performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test program in January where they performed "Yacht Dance" (their only performance of the song) and "No Thugs In Our House". They also made a live appearance on The Oxford Road Show performing "Snowman", "Ball And Chain" and "Jason And The Argonauts". The song "English Roundabout" was inspired by a Swindon landmark known as The Magic Roundabout. This song is a rare example of popular music written in the unusual 5/4 time signature.

The band made promotional videos for "Senses Working Overtime", "No Thugs In Our House", "All Of A Sudden (It's Too Late)" and "Ball And Chain".

Only nine full shows were performed on the proposed 1982 English Settlement World Tour due to Partridge's collapsing at Le Palace in Paris, France on 18 March (during the first song in their set) and subsequent breakdown after their performance at The California Theatre, San Diego, California, U.S.A. on 3 April. This would prove to be XTC's last show as a touring band.

English Settlement is the last XTC album recorded while Terry Chambers was still a full member, although Chambers did appear on a few tracks of Mummer. The band's retirement from the road, caused by Partridge's nervous breakdown, meant that he could no longer make money as the band's drummer, only as a guest performer.

Track listing

UK LP: V 2223

Side 1
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Runaways"   Colin Moulding 4:34
2. "Ball and Chain"   Colin Moulding 4:32
3. "Senses Working Overtime"   Andy Partridge 4:50
4. "Jason and the Argonauts"   Andy Partridge 6:07
Side 2
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "No Thugs in Our House"   Andy Partridge 5:09
2. "Yacht Dance"   Andy Partridge 3:56
3. "All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)"   Andy Partridge 5:21
Side 3
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Melt the Guns"   Andy Partridge 6:34
2. "Leisure"   Andy Partridge 5:02
3. "It's Nearly Africa"   Andy Partridge 3:55
4. "Knuckle Down"   Andy Partridge 4:28
Side 4
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Fly on the Wall"   Colin Moulding 3:19
2. "Down in the Cockpit"   Andy Partridge 5:27
3. "English Roundabout"   Colin Moulding 3:59
4. "Snowman"   Andy Partridge 5:03

Initial U.S. track listing

A 1-LP version was initially released in the United States on Virgin/Epic Records. Five songs were removed for this release ("Yacht Dance" 3:56, "Leisure" 5:32, "Knuckle Down" 4:28, "Fly on the Wall" 3:19, "Down in the Cockpit" 5:27).

Side 1
  1. "Runaways" (Moulding)
  2. "Ball and Chain" (Moulding)
  3. "Senses Working Overtime"
  4. "Jason and the Argonauts"
  5. "Snowman"
Side 2
  1. "Melt the Guns"
  2. "No Thugs in Our House"
  3. "It's Nearly Africa"
  4. "English Roundabout" (Moulding)
  5. "All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)"

1-LP worldwide version

Released in much of the world in 1982.

Side 1
  1. "Runaways" (Moulding)
  2. "Ball and Chain" (Moulding)
  3. "Senses Working Overtime"
  4. "Jason and the Argonauts"
  5. "Snowman"
Side 2
  1. "Melt the Guns"
  2. "No Thugs in Our House"
  3. "Yacht Dance"
  4. "English Roundabout" (Moulding)
  5. "All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)"

Personnel

with:

  • Hugh Padgham - backing vocals on "Ball and Chain"
  • Hans de Vente - backing vocals on "It's Nearly Africa"

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ English Settlement Chart & Awards - Billboard Albums
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=English_Settlement&oldid=3578816"