XTC

XTC
THE BIG EXPRESS (1984)
REMASTER
320 KBPS

XTC took full advantage of their studio-bound status with The Big Express, creating their most painstakingly detailed, multi-layered, sonically dynamic album to date. The more upbeat material and brighter sound recall some of the band's earlier moments, but most of all, The Big Express signals a turning point for the band, setting the blueprint for their later approach — a combination of studio perfection matched with impeccable songcraft that results in a thoroughly consistent and enjoyable album beginning to end. Skylarking, the album that followed, gets much more glory, and certainly its impact was greater (this one was virtually ignored), but really, The Big Express covers much of the same territory and is just as strong an album in many ways.

1. Wake Up
2. All You Pretty Girls
3. Shake You Donkey Up
4. Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her
5. This World Over
6. The Everyday Story of Smalltown
7. I Bought Myself a Liarbird
8. Reign of Blows
9. You're the Wish You Are I Had
10. I Remember the Sun
11. Train Running Low on Soul Coal
Bonus tracks
12. Red Brick Dream
13. Washaway
14. Blue Overall