Disco de XTC: “Coat of Many Cupboards”

Okay, maybe that wasn't the best analogy. XTC can be a little bit cheesy now and again, but cheesy in the sense of a rich Stilton marbled with thin blue-green veins, a wrinkled rind, and a dense, complex flavor. Or maybe a Wensleydale with a fine curd and complex undertones?

Enough about cheese, though. It's easy to forget what originality is all about. Even accomplished songwriters like Sting (who represents the high-end of the current mainstream pop spectrum) never throw a curveball at you, and seem more interested in preening their image than pushing the pop envelope and challenging their audience. XTC is nothing if not idiosyncratic, unexpectedly blending pop paradigms in new, original ways. Even when they expressly try to imitate a genre (like sixties psychedelia in "Chips from the Chocolate Fireball" or "Psychedelic Psunspot"), they bring a deftness and tone to the work that makes their songs become true originals.

I take some risks in saying this, but Coat of Many Cupboards may be as good a place as any for someone to start their XTC experience. It's risky for several reasons. First, if you start with Disc 1, you may be put off by the band's original, sparse sound and new wave sensibilities. You may ask yourself, "Does Joe Jackson sing for this band?" The answer is "No, no, a thousand time, no!" (But, as an aside, check out Joe's version of "Statue of Liberty" on the XTC tribute album "A Testimonial Dinner." Spooky.) But stick with it. I really think you need to walk with this band through the years to fully appreciate them and their musical development. (If you're tempted to throw the whole collection in the trash part way through Disk 1, at least listen to the demo version of Making Plans for Nigel ... ). Second, they've got some pretty crude demo versions sprinkled throughout. Some very rough gems, indeed. But, this is where Coat of Many Cupboards really shines. In the past, I get the sense that Andy Partridge's vanity kept him from releasing anything but the most polished "demos," and I can understand why. You don't like the world to realize that can actually sing off key sometimes. Finally, these four disks are a lot to cheese to bite off in one meal. You may need something to settle your head if you listen to all of it in one sitting.

All of which should give you some indication as to why I think that this set is necessary medication for all XTC fans. I, for one, have let XTC's early CDs gather dust for years. I can't tell you the last time I listened to Go2, White Music, or even Drums and Wires. After Coat of Many Cupboards, I'm ready to go back and savor those old vintages. I'm setting aside two full gigabytes of my iPod to XTC.

Of course, no review would be complete if it didn't include a mention of some of what I consider to be the highlights ... a previously unreleased version of When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty; a rejected single version of Towers of London; an early work tape of Senses Working Overtime; the live version of Yacht Dance (man these guys are good); a home demo for "All You Pretty Girls" (off-key singing and all); and Didn't Hurt a Bit (a Nonesuch out take).

And guess what? My copy is autographed!

The distilled genius of Partridge and Moulding (purveyors of superior pop to the gentry) in a box. Even the giggly out-takes and home demos from a damp room in Swindon sound a thousand times better than any of the over produced digital piffle in the charts today. Andy Partridge's gift for turning out dynamite pop songs as easily as blinking is magnified even more here than on the studio albums, the demos, rough cuts and live performances are just great. There's too much here to single out one great highlight, as they are all great for various and sundry reasons.

The packaging is superior, and the information on each track from Andy and Colin (and even Barry Andrews) is illuminating. Stop reading this review and buy it! But beware, it will make the rest of your record collection sound like very thin stuff indeed.

XTC's Box set Coat of Many Cupboards is a delight for any XTC fan. The package is well designed with a cardboard drawer covering each of the four discs. The booklet bound into the package includes lots of old photos of the band, as well as an insightful history of the band, and Andy and Colin's commentary on each of the 60 tracks here. As for the music, well, for the die-hard fans, one tends to not hear the hissing and back-noise on the demo tracks included. It is fun to hear how some of my favorite XTC tracks sounded in the beginning, how they lyrics changed or a melody dropped in favor of something with a little more/or less ump! This set is the perfect bookend to the Transitor Blast box set from a few years back. As a lifelong fan this is the Ulimate Set of XTC recording for the completionist.

Just when you thought XTC had cleaned out the closet, they reveal a plethora of leftovers in the cupboard (I suppose the attic is next...God help us!) "Coat Of Many Cupboards" is chock-a-block with outtakes, alternate studio/live versions and home demos from the band's Virgin Records period. Overall, a very listenable selection, the only misstep may have been peppering some of the band members' favorite album tracks throughout; thier slick, "finished" sheen sometimes makes for a jarring contrast against the odd "living room demo" or giggly outtake. According to the liner notes, there are 8 (?!) more volumes of similar compilations to come-this may be too much of a good thing (I eagerly await undiscovered gems like "Andy Partridge tuning" and "Colin Moulding Vocal Warm-Up, parts 3-6"). If you're a devoted fan, this set generally aims to please. If you're just discovering XTC, this collection might leave you somewhat overwhelmed-start with the studio albums!

Of the hundreds of unused tracks XTC has in their cupboard, they thankfully decided to release a few on Coat of Many Cupboards. The best tracks are 'Us Being Us' & 'Things Fall To Bits' (probably the best things Barry Andrews wrote for XTC), 'Terrorism', 'The Troubles', and the demo version of 'Dear God'. Unfortunately, the needless inclusion of a few album tracks break the continuity.

The CD version has a bonus track before track 1 on discs 2 & 3. Disc 2 is studio banter while recording Roads Girdle The Globe. Disc 3 is an edited (for swearing) version of Drunken Jam/Shaving Brush Boogie.

[DW]