English Settlement

I came in courtesy of SWO (which I remember hearing as I was driving - I pulled over) and pretty much went the distance. To me, English Settlement has the strongest backbone, save perhaps for the Big Express. (Mummer and Skylarking are very good records, but broken for certain reasons.) Here, the songwriting attains an incredible peak of virtuousity (sp?) and abundance, while the playing is very strong. As a result, some of these songs just absolutely take off (Jason, Thugs, Africa).The exoticism and muscularity of Terry Chambers' drumming has aways been the key ingredient of these mid-period records. He has (had) a directionalized way of driving a song forward (kind of like a non-swing swing) that later discs sorely missed. The marriage of front-forward acoustic guitars and Terry's hyper-rhythmic kinetics is the hallmark sound here. Just magical.Of course, Hugh Padgham's production played a key role in this record's success. I guess the engineering was good but Ian Cooper's remastering is disappointing. I was hoping for more immersive air in the soundstage. But no matter. That's like going to heaven and complaining about the harp music.

English Settlement is XTC's second best album (behind Drums and Wires), and it most accurately depicts their sound, which is a mixture of new wave, pop, reggae and a hint of punk. The band was clearly in transition on this one, which allows for a little bit of everything. What I like most about this album is its consistent sound throughout. There isn't a track that sounds like it doesn't belong on the album, as is the case with so many bands out there. Colin Moulding's bass playing is superior on this one, and Andy Partridge's vocals are in top form. There are so many great songs, such as Senses Working Overtime, Ball and Chain, Jason and the Argonauts, All of a Sudden (It's too Late), It's Nearly Africa, English Roundabout and No Thugs in Our House. It all came together on this album, and it's fun to listen to. If you're just getting into this band, then this is the album that you'd want to start with. 10/10

It's not as important an Album as Sgt. Peppers, not as heavy as Led Zep, but it's a great CD that has many choice hooks, tight harmonies, solid musicianship, timeless lyrics...i.e. "Melt the Guns"....is that a current 2019 sentiment? Anyway, I like this XTC to practice to (Roland E-drums) and to enjoy in the car (vintage MB). smile emoji.

best XTC album ever.

"English Settlement" is definitive XTC at their best. Be aware, however, that this earlier CD does not contain the song "Leisure" or "Down In The Cockpit" (which appear only on the reissue). Nonetheless, it does include some of the best XTC ever recorded and could almost be a "best of" collection. "It's Nearly Africa" is the song that hooked me on the group, and "Melt The Guns" sealed the deal. Other great songs are "No Thugs in Our House" and, of course, "Senses Working Overtime." This album (or the reissue) is a no-brainer for even the least-committed XTC fans. Another classic not to be missed is " Mummer ," which includes two of the best XTC songs ever, "Deliver Us from the Elements" and "Human Alchemy."

To me, it's the groundbreaking classic in the XTC world...was into the earlier XTC albums, then when this came out, it was a huge step forward for the band stretching the studio as an instrument in song creation...It's their double album that still amazes me...

If you own and love XTC's Black Sea, you have to own and listen to English Settlement.They just go together. The big track from the album is undoubtedly "Senses WorkingOvertime". Now XTC could make a video for MTV. I watched the videos for Black Seaon HBO Video Jukebox and Night Flight back in the day. "Ball and Chain", "Jason andthe Argonauts", "No Thugs in Our House" and "Knuckle Down" are some of the strongtunes from the album. Some consider this to be their defining album for musicianship.After English Settlement, the band retired from the road and followed a Beatles-likeexistence of studio work.

My name is Ron Johnson and I'm an XTC kook. This album is a masterpiece. Jason and the Argonauts tickles my earbones.

I took ages to buy this as the price put me off but after receiving some Amazon gift vouchers I took the plunge! I bought the original on the day of release and this was always one of my favourites.This edition really brings the music alive and the quality packaging and info really makes the extra cost worth it.

I used to have a tape of this (remember tapes?)way back in the C60 C90 C120 days. And it was way back then that I recorded this from a borrowed album. I guess then that this double album must have just about fitted onto a C90? Anyhow, have been getting back into some old vibes from the punk/new wave era and bought this after a spell on here looking through my fave bands from the times and bought this on CD (any members of XTC reading this - hey at least I've come clean!). And wow - isn't it weird how you forget faces and names and all manner of things but can always sing along to songs? And believe me this gem has every single track worthy of memory, honest. My personal favorite from the album is 'Knuckle Down' but every track is wonderfully crafted and very much as fresh today as then. What amazed me was also to find that many of the songs from 1982 are still very politically apt even today - for example 'Melt the Guns' (could easily refer to the Afganistan crisis and US involvement and foreign policy) and also 'Leisure' (amazin to think that Andy way back then made such amazin observations about computer games etc. Class act XTC. So I'm really pleased I bought this after so long, and it has wet my appetite to buy very many more from their back catologue. Lookin forward to it. Bring it on!

What an amzing doule album which appears all but forgoten now. Apart from the singles, this extensive selection of songs includes at least 10 classics. Ive had it since it came out in 1982 and got the CD some years back, but still play it at least once a month.Marvellous stuff

This is a great album. It is chock full of ideas, most of which come off, and a sense of daring and originality that sounds as fresh now as it did on the lovely vinyl double album that I bought back in the day.

I'd forgotten how much I loved this album back on 1982 until I bought this and listened to it again. I think this is XTC at their best. Great music & lyrics that just has not aged, unlike me! Has to be one of my top 10 albums of all time. Everyone needs a bit of XTC in their life, buy it and enjoy.