XTC didn't start out with any remote idea of aspiring to the very stifling punk classicism of the day.The only relation

'White Music' has to punk is the simple three chord structures.

Otherwise tunes like the catchy "This Is Pop" and the offbeat,

quircky reggae of "All Along The Watchtower" have more relation to not only early British invasion music but to the more abstract musical experiments of American avante rockers.Neither is this in any way typical XTC-in years to come the band would

develope a sound much more melodic and sweet (neither of those

terms ever apply to this music) but the stuttering vocals and

Andy Partirdge's clever humor are more then enough to carry this album.From a guy whose more interested in funk and fusion normally I find this album worth a listen-'White Music' will

definately command your attention.And it's not too loud either!

Although not my favorite XTC album, White Music has a number of strong tracks. What's most interesting on this reissue is how well the original vinyl artwork has been reproduced. The sound quality is very, very good although I don't hear a huge improvement between this and the previously issued version.

The big advantage here is the fact that the bonus tracks are at the end and not in the middle like the first CD edition (why someone would put them in the middle is beyond me. I don't recall seeing that happen to any other artist). There are hints at Partridge's further development as both a songwriter and vocalist (although here his shouter style most resembles that of Joe Strummer). Moulding's songs are fairly weak although there are a couple that suggest his distinct songwriter voice. Here he sounds as if he's trying to write material similar to Partridge's.

Barry Andrew's funhouse keyboards are a delight throughout the album. He helped give the early XTC a distinct sound compared to many of their contemporaries. Terry's propulsive drumming helps even the weakest of songs gain a foothold in the listener's memory.All in all this wasn't a bad debut. Kudos to producer John Leckie for trying to capture the band's live sound on tape. I have to admit I don't listen to this as much as the other stuff in XTC's catalog but I do prefer Go2 to the debut. Partridge's songwriting is more polished and his experimental nature begins to appear on that album.

It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since XTC's debut album on Virgin was released. But "White Music" still brings back fond memories of those hazy days when new wave and punk were still considered underground. Thankfully, this remastered CD version also contains the group's two early EPs ("3-D EP" and "Go+")and is a must for anyone who really wants to understand the origins of psychedelic new wave or avant-garde punk. Later on, the group streamlined their sound and, at least to these ears, lost some of their early vibrancy and charm. The first three XTC releases retain the urgency and dementia one would expect from Andy Partridge.

Strong debut from the band formerly known as the Helium Kidzand Star Park. Although not my fav XTC album (I came on board with Drums And Wires so I'm partial to the Gregory era line up), White Music proves to have legs; the best songs on White Music have withstood the test of time. Both This Is Pop, Statue of Liberty and Radios In Motion demonstrate the arrival of a unique and important voice in rock music.

Colin's songs aren't quite up to the quality of Andy's material here but they are quite charming in their own way. Terry Chambers' driving rhythm helps rescue the weakest material. Barry Andrews' fun house fueled keyboard playing adds considerable color to most of the tracks. His flamboyant style meshed well with the early XTC material. Although there aren't any songs by Barry on this album, he would develop into an interesting songwriter in Shriekback in years to come.

The bonus tracks are exactly the same as those on the earlier version except they're at the end of the CD instead of the middle. The result is an album that resembles the original as much as possible on CD. I never found the original CD configuration a distraction as most of the songs from the 3D EP and b sides were of a similar quality to the best songs on the album. Still, this is truer to the original work.

They claim this was remastered. If it was remastered, it was not from the original recordings. It carries the same flaw that has plagued every cd release of this album. Approximately 1.5 minutes into All Along The Watchtower, Andy sings,"All Along..Oohh", and in the word "Along", it sounds as if someone bumped into the reel. This flaw does not exist on my Original 1978 vinyl release on Virgin International. If you do not own this album on cd, then buy it. If you own it on cd, don't bother.