...it was the spring of 1979. I returned from a trip to the mall with a real record under my arm! At a cost of $3.99! My mother was aghast, stating that one could buy four or five albums at Zellers for the same price! I'm sure other record nerds will relish their "first time" as well. The careful removing of the cellophane, the inspection of the insert (hopefully, there was one!), and a careful perusal of both front and back covers. The heady smell of cardboard--made in Canada, too!
..but I digress, with too many exclamation points to boot...XTC's third album "Drums and Wires" in retrospect, set up a template for my future musical tastes. Of course, everyone had heard 'Making Plans For Nigel' by this time, or even seen the video on The NewMusic, so I hadn't discovered any hidden gem. Carefully, I placed the record on my parents' giant-size department store HI-FI system, and dropped the needle. As was my custom, I reclined in front of the grilled beast and listened, and read the curiously written insert that came with the LP. I can honestly say that I was amazed. The songs had a very urgent feel...tense without being tough, and just a bit snotty. Quite a bit like myself, actually. How the band managed to put these kinds of feelings into audio form is still a mystery. Of course, the team of Moulding/ Partridge had a lot to do with it, along with the spectacular arrangements. Up until then, most "rock" music I had heard seemed rather repetitive, or without any focus. XTC were so focused they seemed mildly obsessed. Especially on side two..'Scissor Man', 'Complicated Game'...amazing stuff...edgy, nervous, with great choruses and middle eights. Inventive as hell...
Naturally, most people have heard this album , and probably don't need any introduction. Otherwise, people are free to "find" this album somewhere, and check it out for themselves. Try not to let the image of me grimacing musically on a throw rug in front of a Sears HI-FI ruin your enjoyment of this fine, fine disc. Two weeks later, I went out and bought "White Music" and "XTC Go 2" with an advance on my allowance...
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