RSSPlayboy Music
Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding have shared a passion for artypopcraft since forming their first band in 1973--a band that surfacedas XTC in punk 1977 and retired to the studio as soon as seemeddecent. Often their structures and polyrhythms have been too fussy,butSkylarking (Geffen) is what arty solitude is for.With Todd Rundgren adding his jeweler's touch to some very melodicsongs, the album soars like a bird or good Shelley, especially when itcelebrates young love? most enticingly on a song called "Grass,"about something good to do there, though at least half a dozen otherscome close.
In the tradition of England's depressed industrial north, theHousemartins are more soulful still, and they've made a splash intheir nation's troubled waters with their cardigans and baggy pants.These unpretentious lads are so perky, you think they're about tobreak into a cereal commercial; but, in fact, they have a differentproduct in mind: socialist revolution, with equal credit to Marx andJesus. And if you give the at first annoyingly cheerful music onLondon 0 Hull 4 (Elektra) a chance to rouse you, you,too, will be humming, "Don't shoot someone tomorrow/That you can shoottoday."
Playboy, June 1987
 | May 1987 | July 1987 |  |