Funk Pop a Roll Consumes Me Whole
Fudgeland just posted this handy compilation of video clips [Link] by one of my favorite bands, XTC. I enjoy tunes from all of the group's various incarnations, but I have to admit that I'm most partial to the angular, post-punk pop they recorded back in the late 70s (watch Making Plans For Nigel and Are You Receiving Me).
When keyboardist Barry Andrews left to form Shriekback, and the band stopped touring, their music gradually became a lot more bucolic and lost that punky edge. Worse, Andy Partridge got preachy about his personal beliefs, a musical conceit that I've never (with the exception of The Clash) found particularly interesting. Oh, they still produced gorgeous melodies like Garden of Earthly Delights, which I sang to my newborn son almost 18 years ago (it's a wonder he didn't try to crawl back into the womb after hearing his pop croon), and they produced some delightful neo-psychedelia as the Dukes of Stratosphear, but it was never quite the same for me.
In other news, tomorrow is my 47th birthday, so I'll be busy celebrating with my peeps, having hip-replacement surgery, and shopping for a nursing home to move into. On Sunday, I leave for Washington D.C. where I'll be working for a week. The blogging forecast calls for mostly dry conditions with occasional flurries of posting.
Alohaderci!
Comments
Butbutbut you're so hip! Why on earth replace THAT?!
Posted by: rone | September 8, 2006 11:02 AM
Many happy returns! Watch out for Rover though.
Posted by: The Cartoonist | September 8, 2006 11:12 AM
@rone: I'm not hip, but I am hep.
@ralf: fanks, mate!
Posted by: MrBaliHai | September 8, 2006 12:08 PM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Humuhumu | September 8, 2006 1:40 PM
Thanks, Hunanhumu!
Posted by: MrBaliHai | September 8, 2006 1:51 PM
happies! if'n i still worked in dc i'd suggest meeting for a drink but i be an hour to the north, alas. let me know if perchance your work brings you to baltimore. i'm not being a slacker by not coming south, i have an exam on friday :P
Posted by: johnny dollar | September 8, 2006 3:12 PM
Johnny: I'll actually be way down in Springfield, VA, so that'd be a *really* far drive from Your Charm City, even if you were free to do so.
I'll be coming out again the week of the 25th, and I'll probably fly in on a Saturday, so maybe we could meet up over the weekend or something.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | September 8, 2006 3:29 PM
Have a happy, y'old fart at play.
Posted by: M.Ace | September 8, 2006 5:52 PM
Have a fab birthday!
Posted by: A cow-orker | September 8, 2006 6:30 PM
Happy birthday! Have a wonderful, wonderful day. Mine is on Tuesday. :)
Posted by: michelle | September 8, 2006 6:40 PM
Thanks, mystery cow-orker!
michelle: happy birdies to you too!
Posted by: MrBaliHai | September 8, 2006 6:49 PM
hey happy birthday! listen, i've already had my hip replaced about ten years ago. it went exceptionally well as i'm sure yours will too. any questions drop me a line. good luck.
wick
Posted by: wick | September 8, 2006 9:41 PM
Have a good trip. Virginia eh? If you are ever coming to Chapel hill
NC let me know, your'e welcome here.
Posted by: fritz | September 9, 2006 10:33 AM
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Du alter Stinker! Mögest Du auf ewig leben! Prost!
Posted by: orangeguru | September 9, 2006 10:44 AM
Recovered now? Awake again?
Posted by: The Cartoonist | September 11, 2006 1:09 PM
Maybe.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | September 13, 2006 5:25 AM
Birthdays are like assholes...
Posted by: Swanky | September 13, 2006 9:26 AM
That's right, Swanky. The sun shines out of my birthday asshole!
P.S. I have no idea what that means.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | September 13, 2006 5:19 PM