On their third album it's bye bye Barry Andrews and organ and hello Dave Gregory and XTC achieve their "classic sound", ie one that lasted through Black Sea and English Settlement. On Drums And Wires Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding really came into their own as songwriters and Terry Chambers first displayed his peculiar and inimitable THUD WHACK drumming style. The freneticism of the first two albums was tempered by a growing and unique musical sophistication, yet there's an economy of style that reflects that these songs were supposed to be played live in front of actual people. Andy Partridges' crippling stage fright was still several years off and the complex arrangements of Skylarking even farther. My introduction to XTC was the second album Go2 and so when Barry Andrews was kicked out I didn't know what to expect. Well what I got was one of the nuttiest and finest albums these clever pop hooligans ever made. From Colin Mouldings' early hit Making Plans For Nigel to Andy Partridges' most loopy song Helicopter, it's sheer mad genius.

Sometimes, when I haven't listened to this album in a while, I forget how great it is. This is often regarded as the first "true" XTC album, as it begins to create the "Beatle-based pop" sound for which the band is now (somewhat) famous, rather than the organ-heavy pseudo-punk of the first two albums (which are also good, by the way). It kicks off with XTC's first hit single, "Making Plans For Nigel," followed by the frantic "Helicopter." Other highlights include the tongue-twisting "Outside World" (about not wanting to know what depressing things are going on in the world, a subject with which I can often identify), the cautionary fantasy (or mockery thereof, perhaps) of "Scissor Man," and the world-weary "Complicated Game." There are also odes to the overwhelming feeling of being in love ("When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty" and "Ten Feet Tall"), and social commentaries on such issues as factory work ("Day In Day Out"), lack of privacy ("Real By Reel"), and devotion to the automobile ("Roads Girdle The Globe"). A great aspect of this album is the way that the music fits the mood of each song. "Making Plans For Nigel" is mechanical; the whirring sounds of "Helicopter" bring an actual helicopter to mind; "Roads Girdle The Globe" is noisy and droning; and "Complicated Game" is delightfully paranoid. I wouldn't say this is XTC's best work (that would be Skylarking), but it is an all-around wonderful album.

"Go 2" showed a band with an increased focus; "Drums & Wires" showed the band backing up that focus with songwriting. It's about the same quality level because about the same number of songs hit, but this is the first XTC album where you can actually pick out distinct, fully-developed songs which in a weird universe might actually come close to being on the radio. I'm speaking of "Making Plans For Nigel," "Ten Feet Tall," and "Life Begins At The Hop," three sublime tracks which showed that Colin Moulding had actually developed talent beyond his superb bass skills. The addition of second guitarist Dave Gregory also helped the band discover a more full, meaty sound than before (Steve Lillywhite's production is also to thank for this) which helped toughen up the material. Only a few duff songs and a surprising lack of energy throughout (very noticeable compared to the last two albums) keeps this from achieving pure greatness. Buy it anyway; it takes a few listens to sink in yet it's very rewarding if you give it time.

Drums & Wires (1979) is a fine album by XTC. I first heard of this band back in 1983 when they released English Settlement and their single Senses Working Overtime. This band doesn't really strive hard for hit songs. Instead, they just put out albums that are solid throughout. I like to think of them as a band that gives some and takes some. What I mean by that is they have influenced and inspired other artists (such as The Police, for example) with their unique sound that blends pop, punk, new wave, funk, and even reggae, but at the same time THEY have been influenced by other artists. But, everybody out there is influenced by something. Still, XTC has a sound that's really like no other pop or new wave band. Their music is like a tossed salad - everything is thrown in, it seems. Drums & Wires is a good example of this.

My favorite songs on this album are Ten Feet Tall, Complicated Game, and Millions. I find Andy Partridge's vocals on Complicated Game amusing but above all, different.

I recommend this album as a good starter album if you're just getting into XTC.

Drums and Wires was a purchase that I held off on for a long time, and I don't know why, because it's absolutely brilliant. After getting hooked on English Settlement, Black Sea and Skylarking, I perhaps thought that it wouldn't be easy to adapt to their earlier sound. I was wrong, because this album is much more toned down compared to their first two releases, White Music and Go 2, which are extremely new waveish and punkish. Drums and Wires has the new wave and punk sounds, but is more "tuneish." The album starts with a song that isn't exactly the best to kick off with--Making Plans for Nigel. While it's a classic, and a great song, it somehow doesn't fit into the first slot very well. The second song, (Helicopter) would've been a better starter. What I like most about this album is its catchy choruses and overall simplicity. Dave Gregory joined the band after Barry Andrews departed, and the songs immediately had more texture and depth. This is a great album to start your collection with. Standout tracks include MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL, HELICOPTER, DAY IN DAY OUT (guitars sound a lot like Black Flag), TEN FEET TALL, ROADS GIRDLE THE GLOBE, REEL BY REEL (sort of sounds like the Rolling Stones), MILLIONS (my favorite track on the album) THAT IS THE WAY and COMPLICATED GAME. The guys were in top form for this one........you won't be disappointed. In fact, all 15 songs are stellar!!! 10/10