Release type
ALBUM
Release options
© 2001 Virgin Records Ltd
-
1
Summer's Cauldron
03:19
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
2
Grass
03:05
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
3
The Meeting Place
03:14
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
4
That's Really Super, Supergirl
03:21
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
5
Ballet For A Rainy Day
02:50
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
6
1000 Umbrellas
03:44
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
7
Season Cycle
03:21
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
8
Earn Enough For Us
02:54
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
9
Big Day
03:32
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
10
Another Satellite
04:15
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
11
Mermaid Smiled
02:26
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
12
The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
03:24
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
13
Dying
02:31
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
14
Sacrificial Bonfire
03:49
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
15
Dear God
03:39
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10
Working with producer Todd Rundgren didn't necessarily bring XTC a sense of sonic cohesion -- after all, every record since English Settlement followed its own interior logic -- but it did help the group sharpen its focus, making Skylarking its tightest record since Drums and Wires. Ironically, Skylarking had little to do with new wave and everything to do with the lush, post-psychedelic pop of the Beatles and Beach Boys. Combining the charming pastoral feel of Mummer with the classicist English pop of The Big Express, XTC expand their signature sound by enhancing their intelligently melodic pop with graceful, lyrical arrangements and sweeping, detailed instrumentation. Rundgren may have devised the sequencing, helping the record feel like a song cycle even if it doesn't play like one, but what really impresses is the consistency and depth of Andy Partridge's and Colin Moulding's songs. Each song is a small gem, marrying sweet, catchy melodies to decidedly adult lyrical themes, from celebrations of love ("Grass") and marriage ("Big Day") to skepticism about maturation ("Earn Enough for Us") and religion ("Dear God"). Moulding's songs complement Partridge's songs better than before, and each writer is at a melodic and lyrical peak, which Rundgren helps convey with his supple production. The result is a pop masterpiece -- an album that has great ambitions and fulfills them with ease. The initial release of Skylarking didn't feature "Dear God," which was originally the B-side of "Grass." After "Dear God" became an unexpected hit, "Mermaid Smile" was pulled from the album so the hit single could be added. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
1. Summer's Cauldron
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
2. Grass
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
3. The Meeting Place
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
4. That's Really Super, Supergirl
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
5. Ballet For A Rainy Day
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
6. 1000 Umbrellas
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
7. Season Cycle
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
8. Earn Enough For Us
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
9. Big Day
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
10. Another Satellite
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
11. Mermaid Smiled
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
12. The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Andrew Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
13. Dying
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
14. Sacrificial Bonfire
by Xtc
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Composer
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Prairie Prince
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper
15. Dear God
by Xtc
- Drums
- Prairie Prince
- Lyricist
- Andy Partridge
- Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Additional Vocals
-
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory - Engineer
- Todd Rundgren
- Recording Assistant
-
George Cowan
Kim Foscato - Bass Guitar
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Guitar
- Andy Partridge
- Keyboard
- Dave Gregory
- Percussion
- Prairie Prince
- Primary Artist
- Xtc
- Composer
- Andy Partridge
- Performer
-
Colin Ivor Moulding
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory
Prairie Prince - Vocals
- Colin Ivor Moulding
- Mastering Engineer
- Ian Cooper
- Producer
- Todd Rundgren
- Studio Personnel
-
George Cowan
Todd Rundgren
Kim Foscato
Ian Cooper - Composer Lyricist
- Andy Partridge
Technical Specifications
- Volume
- 1 volume only
- Tracks
- 15 tracks available
- Type
- ALBUM
- Format
- Digital Media
- Duration
- 49 minutes and 24 seconds
- Explicit
- None
- Coverart
- Available and up to 1000x1000 px
- Booklet
- Not available
- Max Quality
CD Quality (Lossless)
16bit / 44.1 kHz
Stereo
- Audio Extension
Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF
Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA
- Archive Format
- Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR
- Lyrics
- All tracks have lyrics
- Synchronized Lyrics
- All tracks have synced lyrics
- Genres
- Pop/Rock, Baroque Pop, New Wave, '80s Alternative, Brit Pop, Brit Rock
- Label
- Virgin Records
- Music Distribution Service
- UMG Global
- Country
United Kingdom- Language
- English (United States)
- Popularity
- Popularity 3/10
- Release Date
- Oct 26, 1986
- Track Preview
- Available
- Delivery Charge
- Free
- Delivery Method
- Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site
- UPC
- 724385069055
Loading reviews