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Critic Reviews
90
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.
11y
70
There's nothing particularly exciting or ground-breaking about 'Nonsuch', it's just another extremely good XTC album with the usual fractured guitar melodies coupled with cute and curious lyrics about what a nice place England is.
60
The level of XTC's invention is evidenced by the arrangements of the guitars and the layers of backing vocals but there's a tendency to underscore the lyrical message of tunes like Wardance which is sometimes tiresome.
1y
really nice art pop / rock. i know XTC has been around for longer, but what they do here reminds me of why i like Songs From The Big Chair by Tears for Fears, it scratches the same itch. soothing vocals, instrumentals clearly from it’s era, but still ages well.
This album is 'Next Decade' XTC, still crafting artful Pop music in full color with whimsical, poetic lyrics, a socio-economic twist, and an insightful peek into Western society. XTC's 'Nonsuch' is another material example of the musical genius of Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge. Peace. - @daFigz™
It’d be easy to assume that, like countless other superb 80s groups, the transition to the 90s would be the nail in XTC’s creative coffin. Fortunately, this isn’t the case- sure, this isn’t quite ‘bonafide classic’ level like some of their better known offerings, but at minimum three all-time XTC cuts are found here (the opener, My Bird Performs, The Disappointed), which is more I can say for most 80s bands 90s breakthroughs
Most of these songs are good and catchy, but this album is way too long and generally just feels less important than most of their other records.
It’d be easy to assume that, like countless other superb 80s groups, the transition to the 90s would be the nail in XTC’s creative coffin. Fortunately, this isn’t the case- sure, this isn’t quite ‘bonafide classic’ level like some of their better known offerings, but at minimum three all-time XTC cuts are found here (the opener, My Bird Performs, The Disappointed), which is more I can say for most 80s bands 90s breakthroughs
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Track List
| 1 | The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead 5:00 | 93 |
| 2 | My Bird Performs 3:50 | 88 |
| 3 | Dear Madam Barnum 2:53 | 82 |
| 4 | Humble Daisy 3:39 | 81 |
| 5 | The Smartest Monkeys 4:17 | 75 |
| 6 | The Disappointed 3:23 | 90 |
| 7 | Holly Up on Poppy 3:04 | 84 |
| 8 | Crocodile 3:56 | 75 |
| 9 | Rook 3:47 | 77 |
| 10 | Omnibus 3:20 | 73 |
| 11 | That Wave 3:33 | 85 |
| 12 | Then She Appeared 3:52 | 89 |
| 13 | War Dance 3:22 | 72 |
| 14 | Wrapped in Grey 3:46 | 89 |
| 15 | The Ugly Underneath 3:55 | 86 |
| 16 | Bungalow 2:49 | 75 |
| 17 | Books Are Burning 4:50 | 87 |
Total Length: 1 hour, 3 minutes
