XTC Apple Venus Volume 1 LP COOKING VINYL UK orig+export DUKES OF STRATOSPHEAR

	€		55
	$		64

THIS IS THE 1999 ORIGINAL PRESSING on COOKING VINYL Records [EXPORT COPY: Made in England, for Italian Market, sticker on rear with new barcode and catalog, all the rest as UK copy, also catalog on spine and inner and label COOK 172]. GATEFOLD COVER + INNER SLEEVE (in VG+ condition, normal wear BUT mild creases on edges)  + COMPANY POSTCARD. THE COVER is in VG(+) condition: normal wear BUT discolouration/wear on/near corners (especially right panel,  top right corner with 2cm split), surface ringwear; left spine is fully readable. Vinyl is in EX condition [barely played].

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XTC

XTC was one of the smartest -- and catchiest -- British pop bands to emerge from the punk and new wave explosion of the late '70s. From the tense, jerky riffs of their early singles to the lushly arranged, meticulous pop of their later albums, XTC's music has always been driven by the hook-laden songwriting of guitarist Andy Partridge and bassist Colin Moulding. While popular success has eluded them in both Britain and America, the group has developed a devoted cult following in both countries that remains loyal over two decades after their first records.

"APPLE VENUS VOLUME 1"

tracklisting: please, for tracklist see pictures

 1999      LP     COOKING VINYL RECORDS     COOK 172  

EXPORT COPY MADE IN ENGLAND for ITALIAN MARKET    ORIGINAL PRESSING

GATEFOLD COVER + INNER SLEEVE + COMPANY POSTCARD

NOTES: Gatefold sleeve with spot varnishing of the peacock feather (front sleeve) and the track listing (rear sleeve). Includes a printed inner sleeve.    Heavyweight vinyl.

Made in England, for Italian market, sticker on rear with new barcode and catalog, all the rest as UK copy, also catalog on spine & inner, matrix, etc.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

 Barcode: 8 012842 135514

 LABEL: COOKING VINYL - MULTICOLOUR ARTWORK LABEL  - BLACK TEXT

 Catalog on cover: (spine) COOK 172    (sticker on rear) CKV 3551

Catalog on inner: COOK 172

Catalog on labels: COOK 172

 Matrix / Runout (Side A, Stamped/Etched):  Ⓜ COOK 172 A1 [SNA logo]

Matrix / Runout (Side B, Stamped/Etched): Ⓜ COOK 172 B1 [SNA logo]

 On labels: rim text "COOK 172 ℗1998 Idea Records.......© 1999 Cooking Vinyl.......Made in England"

 On Back Cover: Tracklist + Credits

℗ 1998 Idea Records under.......to Cooking Vinyl   © 1999 Cooking Vinyl under......from Idea Records

Cooking Vinyl..................Made in England

 Sticker on rear: ℗ 1998 Idea Records under.......to Cooking Vinyl

© 1999 Cooking Vinyl under......from Idea Records

Distributed in Italy by RTI MUSIC

 grading

RECORD EX but (please, read above description)

SLEEVE VG(+) but (please, see pictures and read above description)

 Seven years is a long time between records, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Apple Venus is a significant step forward from Nonsuch, but the sparse strings and circular arrangements of "River of Orchids" nevertheless come as a shock, especially since its slow build-up feels as ominous and intellectual as 20th century classical music. It provides the keynote for the album, setting the stage for an ambitious, unpredictable, and strangely beautiful record. Although there are similarities with the pastoral Skylarking or parts of Nonsuch, there is really no comparable record in XTC's canon, given its sustained mood, experimentalism, and glimpses of confession. Colin Moulding wrote the brightest tunes on the record, and while the bouncy "Frivolous Tonight" and "Fruit Nut" will be endearing to any longtime XTC fan, they don't fit the tone of Apple Venus, which feels like an Andy Partridge solo album -- not just a confessional, but a grand outpouring of ideas. Partridge insisted that Apple Venus be released in two parts -- guitarist Dave Gregory left partially because he believed the album would be stronger if it was consolidated to one record -- presumably because all his songs on Pt. 1 are of a piece, sharing similar lyrical and musical themes. Split between orchestral and acoustic pop, Apple Venus is alternately lush and melancholy, sometimes within one song. Some of Partridge's darkest work is here, such as the vindictive "Your Dictionary," yet the album overall has a hopeful note -- the perfect aural encapsulation of their long, bitter struggle of the '90s. The strike was frustrating for the band and fans alike, but perhaps the extended layoff paid off in sharpening Partridge's focus, since Apple Venus, Pt. 1 easily ranks as one of XTC's greatest works...(AllMusic)