Go 2
This 1978 release was the last to feature the Swindon combo's original lineup. Within three months ofGo 2hitting the racks, keyboard player Barry Andrews--at loggerheads with Andy Partridge over the exclusion of several of his songs from the album--packed his bags (he soon teamed-up withRobert Frippin League of Gentlemen). Thus began XTC's evolution from convulsive art-punks into tuneful English pop bards. This isn't one of XTC's greatest albums (Andrews's excruciating "My Weapon" is one low point), but there's much to enjoy nevertheless, including Colin Moulding's sliding, twanged bass, and tracks such as the manic "Red," the hilariously robotic "Meccanic Dancing," and the nursery-rhyme-like "The Rhythm."--Kevin Maidment