I think the album suffered because it sounded very contrived and mechanical.... but in a way, it was the product it's era. I think the marriage of Linn Drum & the humanisation of rhythm by Pete Phipps, who knew a thing or two about getting the most out of Simmons kits (as proved live with The Eurhythmics) and breathing life into songs like "I Remember The Sun" (one of the highlights of the album IMO).

Even with the mechanical feel, it has a raw element to it, thanks to AP & Gregsy, whereas Colin becomes more of an anchor point.

Not the best album, but not the worst that XTC ever produced... IMHO as always!

TC

I think that 'The Big Express' and 'Mummer' are both kind of transitional records with our brave lads awkwardly (sic) settling into their 'Pepper period'.

I only got into XTC in a really big way after 'Nonsuch' and spent the next jaw-dropping year catching up with their back catologue. (sic)

The Linn drum is the main problem, (on TBE) but Pete Phipps performed manfully.

A great big treacle sponge of an album, 'The Big Express' is an acquired taste. Like Guinness, it was never gonnae be to everyone's taste, but to my ears, and my soul...'The Big Express' is a STUNNING record, sadly never destined for massive sales figures.

Al.x

ahem..."F*** me rigid with the pokey end of a pineapple!"

Al.x

Yeah, there's been a rather odd talk of whether XTC sounds "country" at all and the answer usually comes back "like hell they do". But there's little debate that "Shake YOu Donkey Up" is just about close they get (even if it is still far away).

So I was listening to it today, considering how easily a surprisingly literate country singer could make it into a country song and at the same I was thinking how overly repetitive the end is and thinking how there really should be another a rhyming pair for "She really shake you donkey up" than "She really make you donkey up." And it came to me, the answer for making this a hit country song and varying the couplet at the end was the same thing.

She really make you Donkey up
She really Honky Tonk you up

and the answer killed a little piece of my soul.

still, I wonder if Andy had ever considered this rather corny pairing other than the final priduct.

Sorry, Don; did you mean "This sick(sic) thing is catching, no?"


Noo(sic)

Contagious?