We've been largely left in the dark.

It's coming from APE so expect minimal info. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice looking site but that's about it (you could never claim to be overwhelmed by all of the information/specs on the site).

Ah, curses. I'm hoping the booklets have some info in them. Gone are the days of not knowing anything about the band and the music. Bad in one way, good in another, because I can't help but want to knowing it all.

Andy keeps things pretty quite 'eh? Oh well, probably the best policy really.

I'm just talking about the website. It's fairly barren as opposed to many, many label sites. Artist-run or not.

Their product is fine.

Oh, that's true. Well, I'm looking forward to being able to buy XTC stuff through APE.

Well, they say there will be extensive sleeve notes from Andy, Colin, and Dave, so that will make up for the lack of info currently. My Dukes CDs are ordered!

Andy and Dave certainly went to town on the notes for the new CDs - so much so that the booklets had to be expanded to fit them all in. I don't think there will be too many complaints about the content.

Colin's contributions are always among my favorites on XTC releases, but especially on Psonic Psunspot. Whenever I recommend XTC to someone I always include Vanishing Girl, it's such a beautiful and complete melody- a perfect pop song really.

I understand Colin didn't want to do the whole Fuzzy Warbles thing, but I wish he had. I'm glad we're getting his Dukes demos. I've always been interested in them because they weren't originally intended for the Dukes, right? It's neat to hear how they changed, and I hope to see more from Colin on future reissues.

Of course, you're right, Colin doesn't really need to do anything again. If I had written just a few of the songs he's written I'd probably lay around proclaiming myself a genius. Brilliant songwriter!

Maybe as a fan I ask too much though?

Ah, it's been a long time since someone has asked me that! Well, overall I think there is a tempo difference, they're all a bit slower, maybe? The Affliated sounds like it, and I really like the atmosphere it has. It's a bit more summery in a way, and it feels more like a touching love song. The instrumentation is great too, I love the flutey bit in the verse and the simplicity in the "then came she" part. The percussion and guitar sound great, and I think it really benifits from the stripped down sound. No One At Home is similar, the slower tempo, different atmosphere, and the I like the clarity in the lyrics. Colin had a way of writing songs that really expressed feelings well. What In The World is cool because it has a funk and density that is intoxicating. I really dig that slight disco vibe it has. The melody also seems a bit different at points, and I like the lyric that sounds something like "I like a nice bra on my girls" or something! Kinda like a Roxy music vibe. I could see it being taken in a completely different direction and actually being a single.

Colin's demos are also much longer in length, which I enjoy!

Colin was just full of great ideas, and I often wonder what it would have been like if after Andy stopped touring Colin, Terry, and Dave decided to form there own band! I think Andy would have gone on pretty much the same. I know Colin didn't write as much as Andy, but from his unreleased demos it seems he did write more than people usually think. I also think listening to his demos he was a fully capable songsmith, no just a bassist.

That's why I like them! I hope that isn't too much! I talk a lot about music, it's a bad habit.

Well, despite having removed all mention of the Mole and Albert Brown videos from the artwork at the last minute, it would appear that a Virgin carrier pigeon must have swooped into the pressing plant and delivered them in time... they're both on the CDs... a nice little bonus. Hurrah!