Chips From The Chocolate Fireball (An Anthology)

About

Conceived in the mid-80s by the members of XTC as a side project to air their 1960s psychedelic inclinations (the band initially disclaimed any involvement with the effort adding to its mysterious allure), the Dukes of Stratosphear released an EP, <i>25 O’Clock</i>, and an album <i>Psonic Psunspot</i>, compiled here as one collection. The music went beyond any intentions of self-conscious parody and served up convincing retro-psychedelic pop with all the clever and inspired trimmings of the era. Future generations could easily be fooled by a switch-up in copyright date. Excessive reverb that frequently deliberately gobbles up the vocals, sitar-like sounds, cheesy Farfisa organs, jangly 12-string guitars, lush backing harmonies, and lyrics that swallowed the acid tab whole are in abundance throughout. This step out of XTC character gives the band a looseness and freedom that make tunes such as the straightforward pop of “Vanishing Girl,” the trippy, run-a-muck of “My Love Explodes” and the snappy pounce of “Little Lighthouse” among the most irresistible in the group’s entire catalog.

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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