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Rating: 
Summary: Nice chronological bio of XTC's career.
Review: Chris Twomey has given a pleasing read for all XTC lovers who wish to know their story. In many respects, the band has remained unrecognized within the commercial music industry, and Twomey gives us a hint why. I wish XTC all the best for the future, and this book left me with a feeling of great respect for them. After all, their independence and willingness to follow their hearts over profitability is admirable.
Rating: 
Summary: Detailed? Maybe in *some* ways, maybe not in others...
Review: I am becoming more and more an XTC fanatic, and this book has certainly helped my interest grow. It's a detailed biography of the band and the individual musicians who made up XTC...
But, the details are sometimes only partial to times and events that were, it would seem, obviously much easier to chronicle.
The Swindonians that made up XTC get a thorough childhood-to-adult/musician treatment, and I just wish the happenings of the band had been as emphasized. Sure, we read all that happened, but as the band comes together and pushes onward, it seems to go by much too quickly. Barry Andrews' admission into and departure from the band goes by like a fleeting wind. Although it is made clear how the band felt about certain events and delves into controversies (i.e. the dealings with Todd Rundgren as a producer, the news of Andy's decision to stop touring, etc., etc.) it all seems jucier to me than what I get; It makes me wish Twomey'd left out some extra details about Swindon and given us, the fans, more to chew on that had to do with what we feel a connection with; The band, the individuals, the albums, etc at a time they came into *our* lives via the music & videos (which you hear almost nothing about). One very long chapter alone could've been spent on something like the Rundgren fiasco, and yet it is only one of four or five observations that are glanced over within one chapter!
I understand the "Song Stories" would possibly leave me even less satisfied. >sigh!< Oh well, we get what we can (and as much of it as possible) about a band that we love as much as XTC! Anyone Else want to write a book that is not only more informational, but updates the lads into this next millenium, as well?
Rating: 
Summary: This is the sad truth
Review: If you're not a fan of XTC, this book is probably not for you. But if you are a fan of the greatest proponants of British Pop for the last 20 years, you absolutely must own a copy. It's may not be the best biography of a band ever written, but it's very good nonetheless, and the author has done his homework.I admit I'm a fan of the worst sort. I own all their released albums, as well as a number of singles, promotional releases, and a very bad video copy of a German TV concert with terrible sound that I can still watch over and over. I find myself siting at home with the guitar absent mindedly playing "Love on a Farm Boy's Wages" or "Mayor of Simpleton" while watching TV. If you're that kind of person, you certainly need to know all the details of the band, how it came about, the references in the songs and so forth. So what are you waiting for?
Rating:
Summary: A must for fans...
Review: If you're not a fan of XTC, this book is probably not for you. But if you are a fan of the greatest proponants of British Pop for the last 20 years, you absolutely must own a copy. It's may not be the best biography of a band ever written, but it's very good nonetheless, and the author has done his homework. I admit I'm a fan of the worst sort. I own all their released albums, as well as a number of singles, promotional releases, and a very bad video copy of a German TV concert with terrible sound that I can still watch over and over. I find myself siting at home with the guitar absent mindedly playing "Love on a Farm Boy's Wages" or "Mayor of Simpleton" while watching TV. If you're that kind of person, you certainly need to know all the details of the band, how it came about, the references in the songs and so forth. So what are you waiting for?
Rating:
Summary: This is the sad truth
Review: Though this biography was downplayed by the band in Song Stories, I believe it has more journalistic substance. Chris Twomey actually got to know the memebers, and was ballsy enough to be critical in his appraisal. He obviously touched a nerve, or there would be no need for Song Stories! Read it and realize they're people too,each with their own vision of what should have been.
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