Oranges Lemons free essay sample

XTCs long-awaited tenth album was released in July with a late 60s pop-art style drawing of the group on the cover. I was suspicious at first that this two record set would be yet another groups vain attempt to sound like the Beatles, but after hearing Mayor of Simpleton, the albums first single on the radio, I decided to take a chance. Contrary to my fear, I found that this album can be judged by its cover. XTC, as always, doesnt try to sound like anyone but themselves, and the result is another great album from this highly overlooked group. The album is actually a conglomeration of the many different styles XTC has played in the past. Scarecrow People and Across This Antheop echo their punk rock days in the 70s while Mayor of Simpleton, The Loving, and Pink Thing are all reminiscent of their early 80s new wave albums, and Merely a Man, Cynical Days and The Garden of Earthly Delights are modern psychedelic tunes in the tradition of their 1986 album Skylarking. We will write a custom essay sample on Oranges Lemons or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page But XTC also seems to be moving in a jazz-rock direction, and they make brilliant use of a horn section on Miniature Sun and Chalkhills and Children, the last two tracks of the album. The horn section also combines with the old XTC style on Merely a Man and Here Comes President Kill Again. Even after 11 years, Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge are still coming up with ideas for songs that have never been used before. Oranges Lemons doesnt quite have the initial effect of Skylarking but thats only because its a more complete album. After listening to it several times, tunes like King For a Day and Miniature Sun grew into my favorite songs, although they seemed quite ordinary at first. Its clear that this album took a lot of polishing, and that the group wanted to get every note right. In this sense, Oranges Lemons was well worth the wait. Additional Note: And if you like this album, I recommend two of their others, Skylarking and English Settlement, (which is a two record set from 1982), both of these are at least as good as Oranges Lemons, though the variety of music isnt quite as broad.