@PuddingAtheist this song does kind of remind me of abbey road era beatles. particularly the more technically heavy stuff they did like 'shes so heavy' and 'you never give me your money'
Saw this song played live! It sticks with you for life! I can still see them playing every note in my mind, Will be with me until I too am just chisseled stone (Waow that was clever!!! NO! ....Ok )
Wow. I Just Stumbled On This Song Thru The Show Freaks And Geeks... This Song Is So Awesome. I Can Here Where Incubus, Ween, And Sublime May Have Found Influence. This Song If A Masterpiece. I'm About To Check Some Other Tunes out But I'm Worried Nothing Will Match Up To This...
I find it strange that people refer to "albums" where XTC are concerned. They brought together groups of songs that executives and producers struggled to package and release. How weird is "Black Sea" compared to the oh so wanna be weird albums of modern artitsts? It took me literally a decade before I would even let "Travels in Nihilon" play on my stereo. Now its incongruity seems sensible. No. XTC are not an albums band. Line all their songs up on a wall and each one is a work of art.
best band out of the '80s. Jeff Buckley took some serious notes from these birds and had a field day writing his song off their ideas and progressions. Beautiful music. Great words.
What a magnificent track - both musically and lyrically. XTC were always streets ahead of their contemporaries, and this is one of many examples of how the band pushed so much further than what was required for 'pop' musicians.
Black Sea was probably the album that confirmed beyond doubt that this was a very special band indeed.
@DilLspitZen I have a copy of Nihilon. Pretty good book. Found an old copy on ebay, cost me a little over $25 USD including shipping from AU. Good luck!
Why don't you posters put the lyrics on the More info?? Would be so great. HINT HINT!! This is a fantastic group and band. Sharred by a beautiful friend, I thank them for such a gift. : -) I agree their message is for today, they were Way ahead of their time. They have an unbelievably wonderful sound, and the energy is magnetic. : -)))
I suppose only diehard XTC fans will read this anyway, so here goes: I think Andy's lyrics, no matter what style he chooses, are among the very best. There are WAY too many examples but in this song, at the end of the bridge: "...I would've made this instrumental but the words got in the way!" I've never heard a songwriter break the proverbial "4th Wall" with such cleverness and magic!
No no no no no it's not cos it doesn't! It sounds like Andy Partridge singin' no no no no no...I'm not trying to pick a fight mate,I'm just giving my opinion.
I find it comical how some people hated "Generals & Majors". I still think it's a rather catchy tune with a valid message that isn't soooo preachy. It makes a point and it's still accessible. "Black Sea" is one of my Top 5 fave XTC albums. It changes from time to time ,but, my other current fave XTC CD's, in no particular order, are: "English Settlement" , "Skylarking" , " Apple Venus Vol. 1 " and "Chips From the Chocolate Fireball"
Oh I don't know. There are some shining moments on this album. Burning with Optimism's Flames, Love At First Sight, and who can forget Towers of London. All in all, another brilliant record.
Nibiru is coming! Nirubi is coming!
it's 2012
look...
/watch?v=KuUne-d-aZw&feature=related
sunflares got me
EmptyMindlessSpectre 1 hour ago
The Beatles would love this band, I wonder if Paul and George listened to them?
PuddingAtheist 3 months ago
@PuddingAtheist this song does kind of remind me of abbey road era beatles. particularly the more technically heavy stuff they did like 'shes so heavy' and 'you never give me your money'
MjXllcommando 2 months ago
I prefer the live version, but then again who doesn't?
PuddingAtheist 4 months ago
Saw this song played live! It sticks with you for life! I can still see them playing every note in my mind, Will be with me until I too am just chisseled stone (Waow that was clever!!! NO! ....Ok )
TheProfkaos 4 months ago
FUCKIN SUPERB!
mcjprr 6 months ago
Wow. I Just Stumbled On This Song Thru The Show Freaks And Geeks... This Song Is So Awesome. I Can Here Where Incubus, Ween, And Sublime May Have Found Influence. This Song If A Masterpiece. I'm About To Check Some Other Tunes out But I'm Worried Nothing Will Match Up To This...
kyuss50myt 6 months ago
@kyuss50myt
Enjoy the journey..Its a great one...great song after great song..
32INCHSTRIPER 1 month ago
I find it strange that people refer to "albums" where XTC are concerned. They brought together groups of songs that executives and producers struggled to package and release. How weird is "Black Sea" compared to the oh so wanna be weird albums of modern artitsts? It took me literally a decade before I would even let "Travels in Nihilon" play on my stereo. Now its incongruity seems sensible. No. XTC are not an albums band. Line all their songs up on a wall and each one is a work of art.
CONSIDERABLYMORE1 8 months ago
XTC - the most under-rated band ever. Like Queen, they never made a bad record.
GloucesterAdam 8 months ago
Comment removed
rednexRC 9 months ago
@rednexRC you sound like a dumb asshole
mmareeltalk 9 months ago
@rednexRC and you're an expert in fag sounds apparently since the shit got shoved in your lungs.
AlexanderDelarge100 8 months ago
@rednexRC Never heard of that band-friends of yours?
scooterboi17 4 months ago
Great stuff!
therealsoulproduct 10 months ago
I hate getting picked last for baseball
funyun2 11 months ago 6
also heard it on freaks and geeks and i fucking love it..
southernbrooklyngal 1 year ago 5
best band out of the '80s. Jeff Buckley took some serious notes from these birds and had a field day writing his song off their ideas and progressions. Beautiful music. Great words.
Lviavolante 1 year ago
who cares if they didn't tour so much, the albums do it all.
GeezerYoung 1 year ago
@GeezerYoung That's Right !!!!!
AlexanderDelarge100 1 year ago
What a magnificent track - both musically and lyrically. XTC were always streets ahead of their contemporaries, and this is one of many examples of how the band pushed so much further than what was required for 'pop' musicians.
Black Sea was probably the album that confirmed beyond doubt that this was a very special band indeed.
whouster 1 year ago
They played this the other day on KXT in Dallas. (our little NPR music station) Always love to hear obscure XTC on American radio.
TheKnightwhisper 1 year ago
This sounds so wonderfully Beatlesque to me without sounding derivative in any way. Black Sea is a masterpiece! Cheers from California
Nigelxman 2 years ago 4
What about Travels in Nihilon?
Let there be drums! (and rain)
fietsvriend 2 years ago
been lookin 4 the book by that title Alan Stilitoe
aint found IT
YET
DilLspitZen 2 years ago
or
is that sillitowe
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
as usual
O
DilLspitZen 2 years ago
@DilLspitZen I have a copy of Nihilon. Pretty good book. Found an old copy on ebay, cost me a little over $25 USD including shipping from AU. Good luck!
TheKnightwhisper 1 year ago
Why don't you posters put the lyrics on the More info?? Would be so great. HINT HINT!! This is a fantastic group and band. Sharred by a beautiful friend, I thank them for such a gift. : -) I agree their message is for today, they were Way ahead of their time. They have an unbelievably wonderful sound, and the energy is magnetic. : -)))
nancyl2 2 years ago
They play this song on Freaks and Geeks, the greatest series of all time. Amazing song.
ganstamannirvana93 2 years ago 30
Just thinking the same thing!!!!
pugsrdabest 2 years ago
@ganstamannirvana93 HAHAHAHAH When they were choosing teams for softball and Bill was picked after Gordon Crisp lol
sjgilley 9 months ago
Thank you OpenVault for bringing us precious gems!!!
4nom4ly 2 years ago
I suppose only diehard XTC fans will read this anyway, so here goes: I think Andy's lyrics, no matter what style he chooses, are among the very best. There are WAY too many examples but in this song, at the end of the bridge: "...I would've made this instrumental but the words got in the way!" I've never heard a songwriter break the proverbial "4th Wall" with such cleverness and magic!
MrWallygator2 2 years ago 20
All time favorite from this band, just for the lyrics alone. And we agree with your statement completely.
OpenVault 2 years ago 3
He does it quite often..."this is the middle of the song"...
asxtc 2 years ago
I like it how he does, it's almost mocking the popular music the public digest thoughtlessly.
ibazookajoe 2 years ago
Crazy how much it sounds like David Byrne at the "no no no no no we're leaving nothing behind" part.
therebelwaltz 2 years ago
No no no no no it's not cos it doesn't! It sounds like Andy Partridge singin' no no no no no...I'm not trying to pick a fight mate,I'm just giving my opinion.
jerrygreg2 2 years ago
and on the back of the sleave their helmets were on!! great great band, dream on kaiser cheifs,you try but fall well short of A P and C M magic,
TheDizzywhore1804 2 years ago
This whole CD was classic. I had it on Vinyl, when it first came out. Incredible songs, all of them.
diamonddust22 2 years ago 2
ありがとう
sanks
shokikoji 2 years ago
Heard This song In An Episode If Freaks And Geeks.
It Is A Really Good Song. I Can Listen To It Over And Over And Not Get Tired Of It. :)
GilmoreGirlz 2 years ago 22
Haha, so did I. Such a great moment.
ganstamannirvana93 2 years ago
@GilmoreGirlz I Know What You Mean This Song Totally Makes Me Lose All Ability To Use The English Language Correctly Lol
rickdlol 1 year ago
I find it comical how some people hated "Generals & Majors". I still think it's a rather catchy tune with a valid message that isn't soooo preachy. It makes a point and it's still accessible. "Black Sea" is one of my Top 5 fave XTC albums. It changes from time to time ,but, my other current fave XTC CD's, in no particular order, are: "English Settlement" , "Skylarking" , " Apple Venus Vol. 1 " and "Chips From the Chocolate Fireball"
bandcouver 3 years ago
I'm gonna cry...you didn't mention the best album ever....Drums & Wires...or Waspstar.
asxtc 2 years ago
it's all about black sea!
lalalovering 3 years ago
This track saved Black Sea from a fate worse than Living through another Cuba.
asxtc 3 years ago
Oh I don't know. There are some shining moments on this album. Burning with Optimism's Flames, Love At First Sight, and who can forget Towers of London. All in all, another brilliant record.
OpenVault 3 years ago 6
@OpenVault
Respectable Street, Rocks!! Great album. This and English Settlement were strong albums at this stage.
megelmoose 8 months ago
@asxtc Watchu talkin'? Black Sea is filled with gems!
rlbigfish 9 months ago
one of my favorites from that era. genius. thank you.
almadora 3 years ago