The Chalkhills Guide to XTC Albums

Wasp Star [Apple Venus Volume 2]   Our own private improvised XTC slide show in the planetarium. You had to be there.	Apple Venus Volume 1   Seven years of expectation can lead to a little post-release depression.
Transistor Blast The Best of the BBC Sessions   These guys rocked in concert.	Upsy Daisy Assortment The Sweetest Hits   A nicely remastered set, but slightly odd choice of tracks. Worth it for the remastered and non-crossfaded version of “Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her”.
Nonsvch   Contains the hit songs “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” and “The Disappointed.”	Fossil Fuel The XTC Singles 1977-92   All the singles, all the time. Includes the withdrawn single that was the death-knell for the relationship between XTC and Virgin Records: “Wrapped In Grey”.
Rag & Bone Buffet Rare Cuts & Leftovers   Odds and ends from the rag and bone men.	Oranges & Lemons   A massive bright psychedelic ear feast. Recorded in America for the American audience.
Skylarking   A stunning song cycle chronicling the events of a day and a life: from sunup to sundown, from birth to death.	The Big Express   XTC's most powerful and least popular album. Includes Andy Partridge's favorite XTC song: “Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her”.
Mummer   A transitional album, chock full of difficult and rewarding songs.	English Settlement   The classic and essential sprawling pastoral double album. Sparkling arrangements and wide-ranging lyrics. A milestone.
Black Sea   A hard hitting concise and powerful statement. The songs are arranged for live performance, and are honed to a sharp point.	Drums and Wires   The start of a new era for XTC. Dave Gregory joins the group on guitar and keyboards. “Making Plans for Nigel” becomes XTC's first big hit.
Go 2   XTC albums always have great cover art. This album has some of the most memorable cover art of any album ever. XTC are just beginning to find their songwriting strengths.	White Music   Although XTC got noticed during the peak of the Punk/New Wave era, THIS IS POP. Evidence of strongest reason why XTC stood out in the crowd: originality.