XTC - Big Express (200 Gram Vinyl, United Kingdom - Import)
XTC - Big Express (200 Gram Vinyl, United Kingdom - Import)
Format: Vinyl LP
UPC: 633367606518
Release Date: 11/18/22
Condition: N
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Limited 200gm vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. XTC's seventh album, The Big Express was virtually ignored on release, much as it's immediate predecessor Mummer had been. If Mummer was XTC's quiet album, this was it's polar opposite: bright, brash, noisy - even cluttered on occasion if the song demanded it - as it became a concept album of sorts, a partly autobiographical reflection on growing up in an industrial town, Swindon, with it's history of engineering and railway accomplishments. Perhaps in keeping with that tradition of technical innovation, the album also made extensive use of (at the time) new technology with Linn-Drum programming (alongside drummer Peter Phipps), E-mu Emulator and other synths claiming space among the more traditional guitars, bass and drums mix under-pinning the vocals. This technology was juxtaposed with technology of a slightly earlier pop/rock era as phasing, backwards tapes and the inclusion of a mellotron hinted at a psychedelic influence that would move more center stage with the band's next project - The Dukes of Stratosphear. With XTC no longer touring, the sound radically different to any previous XTC album, in a musical climate where the upper end of the charts reflected national radio, producing the most mainstream result for years: Lionel Richie, Sade, Spandau Ballet, Howard Jones, Tina Turner, Queen - Frank Sinatra's final solo studio album... The space for a metallic, post-punk concept album about growing up amidst the ghosts of Swindon's industrial heritage proved non-existent. Of course the songs were as good as on any other XTC album - a very high standard indeed - but they went largely unheard. Given that position, it would be easy to conclude that the timing was wrong for the album. But the best musicians follow the music and allow the times to catch up with that; precisely what happened when XTC released it's next album Skylarking in 1986. Just as Mummer's reputation (and sales) has increased over the years, The Big Express is now regarded as a 'neglected classic' of it's era.
- 1 Wake Up
- 2 All You Pretty Girls
- 3 Shake You Donkey Up
- 4 Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her
- 5 This World Over
- 6 The Everyday Story of Smalltown
- 7 I Bought Myself a Liarbird
- 8 Reign of Blows
- 9 You're the Wish You Are I Had
- 10 I Remember the Sun
- 11 Train Running Low on Soul Coal
SHIPPING & RETURNS
SHIPPING & RETURNS
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RETURNS
Items may be returned within 60 days of the delivery date.
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GRADING
GRADING
Yellow Racket assigns condition based on the Goldmine Standard for grading records.
New (N) (Not typically included in the Goldmine Standard)
New records are purchased directly from the label, distributor, or registered wholesaler. Records are still sealed. Jackets may have slight shelf wear, but media has never been played.
Mint (M)
Still sealed. Never played. No observable flaws. Items have been purchased secondhand.
Near Mint (NM)
A Near Mint (NM) record will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. The record should show no obvious signs of wear.
The cover (and any additional packaging) has no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable defects.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
A Very Good Plus (VG+) record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it.
Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playback as a whole. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches.
The disc and LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be gently marred by spindle marks, paper scuffs, wrinkled corners, etc.
Very Good (VG)
Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident, but will not overpower the music. Disc may have light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels, jackets, and inserts will have visible cosmetic flaws such as wrinkles, cut-outs, slight splitting, etc. However, it will usually have less than a dozen minor flaws.
Good (G)
A record in Good condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present.
While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
The record may be cracked, badly warped, or won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve may be water damaged, split, or heavily marred by wear and writing.
