September 8, 2015 Playlist

"Psonic Psunspot" by The Dukes of Stratosphear (XTC) (1987)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
The Dukes of Stratosphear (XTC)  "Psonic Psunspot"  1987 (UK)
Originally launched with an EP released on April Fool's Day 1985, there has always been some question about whether new wave Britpop group XTC's alter-egos "The Dukes Of Stratosphear" were a "tribute to" or a "parody of" groovy flower-power acid rock. I would say arguably, it's just good old flower-power acid rock that was recorded about 20 years too late. XTC was always a new wave "punk" group that seemed suspiciously friendly toward classic rock (their debut had included a cover of the Dylan/Hendrix staple "All Along The Watchtower"), and ala Steely Dan they gave up touring early on to concentrate on lavish studio productions of the intricate songwriting. The "fifth Beatle" in this situation was John Leckie, an engineer and producer from Abbey Road Studios in the 1970's whose credits include classic albums by Pink Floyd, BeBop Deluxe, and three of the ex-Beatles (all but Ringo; and in the 1980's he also produced The Fall, Public Image Ltd., Simple Minds and of course XTC). So basically, a guy like that making an all-out psychedelic pop record is certainly no "parody", it's more like the real deal in the original wrapper!
(N) = New Release
(R) = Listener Request

 
Artist Song Album Year Country
The Pretty ThingsBalloon BurningS.F. Sorrow1968
UK
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental BandThe Smell Of InsenceVol. 2: Breaking Through1967
USA
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The Blind Shake HurracanLive In San Francisco (N)2015 (Castleface)USA
Dr. OctagonBear WitnessDr. Octagonecologyst1996
USA
   
 
Bob Summers & Mike CurbPot PartyTeenage Rebellion1967
USA
The Fifty Foot HoseCauldronCauldron1967
USA
Lothar & The Hand PeopleIt Comes On AnyhowPresenting . . . Lothar & The Hand People1968
USA
   
 
The Dukes Of Stratosphear (XTC) (R)Little LighthousePsonic Psunspot
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
1987
UK
The Dukes Of Stratosphear (XTC) (R)You're A Good Man Albert BrownPsonic Psunspot
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
1987
UK
XTCGrassSkylarking1986
UK
The Dukes Of Stratosphear (XTC) (R)You're My DrugPsonic Psunspot
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
1987
UK
The Dukes Of Stratosphear (XTC) (R)What In The World?25 O' Clock EP 1985
UK
XTCElla Guru (Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band)B-side 12" single1988
UK
XTCGarden Of Earthly DelightsOranges And Lemons1989
UK
   
 
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   / Sofa #2
One Size Fits All1975
USA
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Mondo Drag Pillars Of The SkyMondo Drag (N)2015 (Riding Easy)USA
Bearhug The SkySo Gone (N)2015 (Spunk)Australia
 
  
Black Mountain Buffalo Swan (previously unreleased)Black Mountain (N - reissue)2005 (2015 Jagjaguar)Canada
NEU!WeissenseeNEU!1972
Germany
ChromeOpen Up (Locust Door)Chronicles1982
USA
 
  
Aphex Twin diskhat ALL prepared1mixed 13Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments, Pt. 2 EP (N)2015 (Warp)UK
Bjork Mouth MantraVulnicura (N)2015 (One Little Indian)Iceland
Dr. OctagonElective Surgery
   / Halfsharkalligatorhalfman
Dr. Octagonecologyst1996
USA
 
  
The OrbBlue RoomU.F.Orb1992
UK
      
   
   
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