XTC made plans for their future in the new wave limelight with the complicated commercial gamesmanship and eccentric railway rhythms of this melodic post punk power pop paragon. Their first two albums 'White Music' and 'Go 2' had established a hurky jerky punk sound for the Swindon quartet; but keyboardist Barry Andrews was feeling shut out with three songwriters in the band.
Colin Moulding reveals: "There just wasn't room for me and Andy and Barry to write songs. There just wasn't an outlet for him. And he got fed up with the fact that most of his songs ended up as outtakes."
They brought in Dave Gregory to replace Andrews and he brought in a more accessible sound. 'Drums and Wires'was recorded at The Town House in London with the team of producer Steve Lillywhite and engineer Hugh Padgham. The album features Andy Partridge on vocals, guitars, and synthesizers; Colin Moulding on vocals and bass; Dave Gregory on guitars, keyboards, and background vocals; and Terry Chambers on drums, percussion, and background vocals; with Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory, Terry Chambers, Steve Warren, Hugh Padgham, Al Clark, and Jumbo Van Reinen as the Vernon Yard Male Voice Choir on "Roads Girdle the Globe"; and Dick Cuthell adding trumpet on "That is the Way".
Partridge considers: "Initially, we were trying to avoid all the old cliches like the guitar solos and things...I think it's the fact that we were based in Swindon. We weren't fashion conscious. If we'd been based in London we might have gotten swept along by the punk thing."
'Drums and Wires' became the breakthrough XTC were seeking, charting outside the UK for the first time, reaching one hundred and seventy-four in the US and number twelve in New Zealand. The album also reached number thirty-four in the UK.
"Making Plans for Nigel" went to number ninety-four in Australia, thirty-two in the Netherlands, twenty-nine in New Zealand, and number seventeen in the UK.
We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has his future in a British steel
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
And loves to be spoken to
Nigel is happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
"Life Begins at the Hop" was originally a non-album single, reaching number ninety-four in Australia, eighty in Canada, and fifty-four in the UK. The song was added to later pressings of the album.
Side one
Side two
bonus tracks
live in Australia
Beatown/Meccanik Dancing/Making Plans for Nigel/The Rhythm/Roads Girdle the Globe/Science Friction/Life Begins at the Hop/This is Pop?/Battery Brides/Crosswires/Outside World/I'm Bugged/Crowded Room/Radios in Motion/Are you Receiving me/Set Myself on Fire
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