Tyler Cowen on XTC:
They don't have a single album you can listen to straight through without wincing at least occasionally [Black Sea comes closest, though English Settlement has their highest peaks], the fey Britishisms can be offputting, and the vocals are sometimes monotonous [have I sold you on them yet?]. Plus they don't have a truly convincing greatest hits collection. But their very best songs are among the most significant achievements of rock and roll.
I can listen to 'Skylarking' pretty easily, except for that silly Dear God thing. 'English Settlement' is awfully good, too.
"Dear God, hope you got the letter, and I pray that you can make it better down here..."
What a fantastic song. :)
Is a "fey Britishism" anything like the unbearable twee-ness of being?
Tyler's view pretty much fits mine, actually. That silly is a pretty good term for Dear God.
I always get "Mayor of Simpleton" confused with Elvis Costello's "Veronica." But I'm an excellent poker player.
Kids still not here?
I once told a friend that XTC sounded like "a not very good band doing covers of songs written by a really good band". Not a comment on their ability with their instruments, I just thought the style could use some work.