English Settlement

This article is about the XTC album. For the historical area of the United States known as the English Settlement, see English Settlement (Illinois).

Untitled

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Pitchfork	(10.0/10)
Q
Robert Christgau	(B+)
Rolling Stone
Smash Hits	8.5/10

English Settlement is the fifth studio album by the English band XTC, released on 12 February 1982. The album reached No. 5 on the UK Album Chart and No. 48 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

The lyrics are largely political and often feature scathing critiques of the British people and their ways of life.

Album information

The Uffington White Horse.

The cover design is based upon the Uffington White Horse in southwest Oxfordshire, which is about 8 miles east of Swindon, Wiltshire, XTC's home town.

The album spawned three UK singles: "Senses Working Overtime" (released on 8 January 1982 and reaching No. 10 on the UK singles chart); "Ball And Chain" (released 26 February 1982 and reaching No. 58 on the UK singles chart); and "No Thugs in Our House" (released 14 May 1982).

The album was previewed with a live performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test program in January where they performed "Yacht Dance" (their only performance of the song) and "No Thugs In Our House". They also made a live appearance on The Oxford Road Show performing "Snowman", "Ball and Chain" and "Jason and the Argonauts". The song "English Roundabout" was inspired by a Swindon landmark known as The Magic Roundabout. This song is a rare example of popular music written in the unusual 5/4 time signature.

The band made promotional videos for "Senses Working Overtime", "No Thugs in Our House", "All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)" and "Ball and Chain".

Only nine full shows were performed on the proposed 1982 English Settlement World Tour due to Partridge's collapsing at Le Palace in Paris, France on 18 March (during the first song in their set) and subsequent breakdown after their performance at The California Theatre, San Diego, California, U.S.A. on 3 April. This would prove to be XTC's last show as a touring band.

English Settlement is the last XTC album recorded while Terry Chambers was still a full member, although Chambers did appear on a few tracks of Mummer. The band's retirement from the road, caused by Partridge's nervous breakdown, meant that he could no longer make money as the band's drummer, only as a guest performer.

English Settlement is XTC's longest studio album, as well as the band's first double album. Despite being well short of the industry red book requirement of a maximum 74:33 playing time for CDs, the first pressings of the CD edition removed the tracks "Leisure" and "Down In The Cockpit", with no explanation given. All later CD remasters restore the entire album.

Track listing

UK LP: V 2223

Side 1

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Runaways"	Colin Moulding	4:34
2.	"Ball and Chain"	Colin Moulding	4:32
3.	"Senses Working Overtime"	Andy Partridge	4:50
4.	"Jason and the Argonauts"	Andy Partridge	6:07

Side 2

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"No Thugs in Our House"	Andy Partridge	5:09
2.	"Yacht Dance"	Andy Partridge	3:56
3.	"All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)"	Andy Partridge	5:21

Side 3

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Melt the Guns"	Andy Partridge	6:34
2.	"Leisure"	Andy Partridge	5:02
3.	"It's Nearly Africa"	Andy Partridge	3:55
4.	"Knuckle Down"	Andy Partridge	4:28

Side 4

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Fly on the Wall"	Colin Moulding	3:19
2.	"Down in the Cockpit"	Andy Partridge	5:27
3.	"English Roundabout"	Colin Moulding	3:59
4.	"Snowman"	Andy Partridge	5:03

Initial U.S. and Canadian track listing

A 1-LP version was initially released in the United States on Epic Records and in Canada on Virgin Records. Five songs were removed for this release ("Yacht Dance" 3:56, "Leisure" 5:32, "Knuckle Down" 4:28, "Fly on the Wall" 3:19, "Down in the Cockpit" 5:27).

Side 1

1. "Runaways" (Moulding)
2. "Ball and Chain" (Moulding)
3. "Senses Working Overtime"
4. "Jason and the Argonauts"
5. "Snowman"

Side 2

1. "Melt the Guns"
2. "No Thugs in Our House"
3. "It's Nearly Africa"
4. "English Roundabout" (Moulding)
5. "All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)"

1-LP worldwide version

Released in much of the world in 1982.

Side 1

1. "Runaways" (Moulding)
2. "Ball and Chain" (Moulding)
3. "Senses Working Overtime"
4. "Jason and the Argonauts"
5. "Snowman"

Side 2

1. "Melt the Guns"
2. "No Thugs in Our House"
3. "Yacht Dance"
4. "English Roundabout" (Moulding)
5. "All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)"

Personnel

• Colin Moulding - lead vocals, backing vocals, fretless bass, Fender bass, mini-Korg, piano, percussion
• Andy Partridge - lead vocals, backing vocals, electric guitar, semi-acoustic electric 12-string guitar, semi-acoustic electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mini-Korg, Prophet V, anklung, alto sax, percussion, frog
• Dave Gregory - electric 12-string guitar, electric guitars, nylon-string Spanish guitar, semi-acoustic electric 12-string guitar, Prophet V, mini-Korg, backing vocals, percussion, piano
• Terry Chambers - drums, drum synthesiser, percussion, backing vocals

with:

• Hugh Padgham - backing vocals on "Ball and Chain"
• Hans de Vente - backing vocals on "It's Nearly Africa"