XTC/James

[Susanne E Trowbridge <umcp-cs!jhunix!ins_aset@seismo.CSS.GOV>]

Well, I finally went out and bought some brand new records, including...
(drum roll)...the new XTC 12"!  It's entitled "Grass," and the a-side is
a Colin Moulding tune.  There are two Partridges on the b-side.  "Grass"
is another bit of loopy psychedelia.  "Extrovert" is another spazzed-
out, weird Andy Partridge song.  In other words, there is nothing new
under the sun...yawn.  But wait!  The bonus track on the 12", "Dear
God," is a very pretty, why-I-am-an-atheist manifesto that starts with
a simple bit of acoustic guitar strumming and a young boy on vocals.
Partridge comes in later, surrounded by majestic strings and brass...
it's a lovely song and definitely my fave on this single.  Shell out
the extra $2 or $3 for the 12", folks.  Well, so much for the idea that
Todd Rundgren would give 'em a totally new sound...

There is an excellent album on Sire Records -- yes, it's even out
domestically -- by a group called JAMES.  "Stutter" is the name, and
it's been very overplayed by me in the past week.  It's a wonderful
record...a little plain and folky and contemplative, with acoustic
guitar as the primary instrument.  This band is apparently a favorite
of the Smiths' Morrissey, and is well worth checking out if you enjoy
the folkier bits of R.E.M., Everything but the Girl, etc.  I hope I
haven't made it sound like some sort of old fart record, 'cause it
honestly isn't.  It's really engaging.

The new David Sylvian double-album is due out this week!!!  One
of the LPs is instrumental and the other one is a vocal, with members
of Japan playing!!!  Sounds grand!

-Sue 

"Poor old Johnny has set himself on fire again..."