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Critic Reviews
100
English Settlement catches that moment, as they change from a young band to a mature one: this is the pivot on which their entire career hangs, and a vantage point from which both ends of it make sense. It's timeless.
13y
80
Despite several terrific tracks, English Settlement seems more a transitional album than anything else, although the textural sound of the album is quite remarkable.
13y
60
Once again, XTC has managed the difficult feat of sounding accessible even while moving into evermore abstruse and adventuresome territory.
11y
Such a great follow-up to Black Sea, with a nice playful soundscape whilst the lyrics truly stick with you throughout it's 70 minute run time and during those 70 minutes the album never gets boring and has some of XTC most underrated songs such as Down in the Cockpit and Knuckle Down.
Track Review
Runaways 8.5/10.
Ball and Chain 9/10
Senses Working Overtime 10/10
Jason and the Argonauts 8.5/10.
No Thugs in Our House 9.5/10
Yacht Dance 7.5/10.
All of a Sudden (It's Too Late) 7.5/10.
Melt the ... read more
The album Starts of pretty well with me enjoying "Runaways", "Senses Working Overtime", and "Jason and the Argonauts". But then it gets pretty boring pretty fast. It doesn't help that this is a double album that doesn't nearly have the diversity needed to keep the engagement levels up to par all the way through. Overall it's a pretty disappointing album with a decent start but never really did anything particularly exciting.
L'album English Settlement de XTC sorti en 1982 est superbe en raison de sa popishness artistique; paraphrased in translation means, the album is superb because of its art popishness. My earholios respond very well to Senses Working Overtime, No Thugs In Our House, and Melt The Guns.
Maladroit parfois, mais rafraîchissant pour la musicalité inventive et la narration lyrique. Translation: Goofy at times, yet, refreshing for the creative musicality and lyrical storytelling. Side ... read more
Highest Rated Track : Leisure
Lowest Rated Track : It's Nearly Africa
The first half is consistently great but the latter half is a bit dull in comparison, it brought the rating down quick harshly
9.7/10
FAVOURITE TRACKS: Runaways, Ball and Chain, Senses Working Time, No Thugs In Our House, Yacht Dance, All of a Sudden (It's Too Late), Melt The Gun, It's Nearly Africa, Knuckle Down, Fly On The Wall, Down In The Cockpit, English Roundabout, Sniwman
LEAST FAVOURITE TRACKS: Leisure
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Track List
| 1 | Runaways 4:34 | 86 |
| 2 | Ball and Chain 4:32 | 85 |
| 3 | Senses Working Overtime 4:50 | 91 |
| 4 | Jason and the Argonauts 6:07 | 90 |
| 5 | No Thugs In Our House 5:09 | 84 |
| 6 | Yacht Dance 3:56 | 82 |
| 7 | All of a Sudden (It's Too Late) 5:21 | 83 |
| 8 | Melt the Guns 6:34 | 80 |
| 9 | Leisure 5:02 | 78 |
| 10 | It's Nearly Africa 3:55 | 76 |
| 11 | Knuckle Down 4:28 | 81 |
| 12 | Fly On the Wall 3:19 | 83 |
| 13 | Down In the Cockpit 5:27 | 80 |
| 14 | English Roundabout 3:59 | 81 |
| 15 | Snowman 5:03 | 79 |
Total Length: 1 hour, 12 minutes
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6mo
Fly On the Wall is either the best song here, or the worst one. I still haven't decided, but there's no in between.
