XTC 'Skylarking' Virgin V 2399 A3/B3 UK 1st embossed + inner 1986
£
40
$
53
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Description
XTC 'Skylarking' Virgin V 2399 UK 1st press Vinyl, LP, housed in a printed inner sleeve, and released in an embossed sleeve in 1986.
The vinyl appears to have been lightly played and is in great shape. It played through beautifully on my stereo - no skip or stick. It is housed in its original printed inner sleeve, which shows minimal signs of wear and which is in great condition - with no rips or writing. Similarly, the embossed sleeve, apart from some sticker residue, is also in lovely condition - again with no rips or writing. The spine is intact and legible. Matrix / Runout Side A : V 2399 A - 3U - 1 - 1 ⇀ Matrix / Runout Side B : V 2399 B - 3U - 1 - 1 ⇀
Skylarking is XTC's eighth studio album, first released on 27 October 1986 by Virgin Records. Produced by American musician Todd Rundgren, it is a loose concept album about a nonspecific cycle, such as a day, a year, the seasons, or a life. The title refers to a type of bird (skylark), as well as the Royal Navy term "skylarking", which means "fooling around". It became one of XTC's best-known albums and is often regarded as one of their finest albums.
Like XTC's previous Dukes of Stratosphear side project, 'Skylarking' was heavily influenced by the music of the 1960s. Most of its recording was at Rundgren's Utopia Sound Studio in Woodstock, New York. Rundgren played a large role in the album's sound design and drum programming, providing the band with orchestral arrangements and an assortment of gear. However, the sessions were fraught with tension, especially between Rundgren and bandleader Andy Partridge, and numerous disagreements arose over drum patterns, song selections, and other details.
On its release, 'Skylarking' was met with indifference in the UK, rising in the album charts to number 90, while both of its lead singles "Grass" (backed with "Dear God") and "The Meeting Place" peaked at number 100. In the US, "Dear God" became a college radio hit, causing US distributor Geffen Records to recall and repress 'Skylarking' with the track included, and propelling the album to number 70. Following the song's growth in popularity, it was the subject of controversy in the US, inspiring many angry phone calls to radio stations and at least one bomb threat.
'Skylarking' has been listed on "100 greatest albums of the 1980s" lists by Rolling Stone (in 1989) and Pitchfork (in 2002).
Tim Sommer of Rolling Stone praised the album as "the most inspired and satisfying piece of Beatle-esque pop since ... well, since the Beatles" and drew favourable comparisons to the Beatles (Revolver, Rubber Soul), the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds) and the Kinks (Village Green Preservation Society). Creem's Karen Schlosberg dubbed it a "masterpiece" and a "somewhat baroque and ethereally-textured collection". She lamented that it was unlikely the album would receive much radio play, "since the lads' sound is probably too different to sit well with contemporary radio programming standards. Another irony, since XTC is constantly being compared to one of the most successful groups in pop history, the Beatles." Billboard reviewed: "The overall tone here is less hard-edged than in past work; the band never takes the easy way out, however, employing unique sounds and unexpected melodic twists to wonderful effect."
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