The Big Express is a Rock album by XTC, originally released in 1984. On Gatefold: 67 pressings tracked, owned by 20 collectors.
About
XTC's seventh album, First album without Terry Chambers on drums. Originally released in 1984, Andy Partridge describes this album as "A loco derailing itself in the rusty goods yard. An altogether more industrial affair. Slashing electric guitars, sheets of steel bass and diesel oil drums. An iron opera, steam powered and brick encased.” An autobiographical concept album inspired by the band's hometown of Swindon and its railway system, the Swindon Works. In comparison to its predecessor Mummer (1983), which had a modest, pastoral approach to production, the album features a bright, uptempo sound marked by studio experimentation and denser arrangements, setting a template that they would develop on subsequent albums. Much of the album showcased the band's psychedelic influences through its reliance on Mellotron, a tape-based sampling keyboard popular in the 1960s and 1970s, and effects such as backwards echo and phasing. The title was chosen as a double entendre referring to express trains and artistic expression.
via Last.fm
The Clerk says
The Clerk knows this whole record — the pressing quirks, the credits, the take.
Tracklist
Side A
- A1Wake Up
- A2All You Pretty Girls
- A3Shake You Donkey Up
- A4Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her
- A5This World Over
Side B
- B1The Everyday Story Of Smalltown
- B2I Bought Myself A Liarbird
- B3Reign Of Blows
- B4You're The Wish You Are I Had
- B5I Remember The Sun
- B6Train Running Low On Soul Coal
Sound DNA
- Rock
- Art Rock
- layered
- intense
- urban
Notes from the original pressing. Later editions may differ.
Issued in die-cut wheel-shaped sleeve and inner sleeve.
Recorded at Crescent Studios, Bath, Spring 1984. Mixed at RAK Studios, London, July 1984. Digital Mastering at Tape One. Cut At The Townhouse.
Credits
The people behind it.
Performers
- Andy PartridgePERFORMER , VOCALS, ELECTRIC GUITAR , DRUM MACHINE , HARMONICA PERFORMER , VOCALS, ELECTRIC GUITAR, DRUM MACHINE , HARMONICA VOCALS, ELECTRIC GUITAR , DRUM MACHINE , HARMONICA
- Colin MouldingPERFORMER , VOCALS, BASS GUITAR VOCALS, BASS VOCALS, BASS GUITAR
- Dave GregoryELECTRIC GUITAR , PIANO, MELLOTRON, SYNTHESIZER ELECTRIC GUITAR, PIANO, MELLOTRON, SYNTHESIZER ELECTRIC GUITAR, PIANO, MELLOTRON, SYNTHESIZER, LINER NOTES
- Pete PhippsDRUMS MUSICIAN , DRUMS PERFORMER , DRUMS
- Stuart GordonMUSICIAN , VIOLIN, VIOLA PERFORMER , VIOLIN, VIOLA VIOLIN, VIOLA
- Annie HuchrakBACKING VOCALS MUSICIAN , CHOIR PERFORMER , CHOIR
- David LordARRANGED BY MUSICIAN , ARRANGED BY
- Stephen SaundersMUSICIAN , EUPHONIUM PERFORMER , EUPHONIUM
20 collectors on Gatefold own this · 67 pressings tracked on Gatefold
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