The XYC BBC Sessions, back when they were a live band.
Hughesy's assessment: And a rather classy one at that. Nothing to surprise here, but a succession of classy eighties power pop that's well worth a listen. Maybe not all killer, but zero filler.Acceptable.
Track listing
Disc One: Opening Speech [John Peel Show 15 October 1979]; Life Begins at the Hop [Kid Jensen Show 31 May 1979]; Scarecrow People [Richard Skinner Show 5 April 1989]; Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her [Bruno Brookes Show 20 November 1984]; Ten Feet Tall [John Peel Show 15 October 1979]; Garden of Earthly Delights [Andy Kershaw Show 11 June 1989]; Runaways [Kid Jensen Show 25 January 1982]; When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty [Kid Jensen Show 31 May 1979]; I'm Bugged [John Peel Show 26 September 1977]; Another Satellite [Sunday Live Show 22 February 1987]; You're the Wish (You Are) I Had [Bruno Brookes Show 20 November 1984]; Crosswires [John Peel Show 26 September 1977]; Roads Girdle the Globe [John Peel Show 15 October 1979]
Disc two: No Thugs in Our House [Kid Jensen Show 25 January 1982]; One of the Millions [Andy Kershaw Show 11 June 1989]; Real by Reel [John Peel Show 15 October 1979]; The Meeting Place [Sunday Live Show 22 February 1987]; Meccanic Dancing (Oh We Go!) [John Peel Show 23 November 1978]; Poor Skeleton Steps Out [Richard Skinner Show 5 April 1989]; Into the Atom Age [John Peel Show 26 September 1977]; The Rhythm [John Peel Show 23 November 1978]; This World Over [Bruno Brookes Show 20 November 1984]; Snowman [Kid Jensen Show 25 January 1982]; Danceband [John Peel Show 26 September 1977]; Making Plans for Nigel [Kid Jensen Show 31 May 1979]; Jason and the Argonauts [Kid Jensen Show 25 January 1982]
Disc three: Radios in Motion; Crosswires; Science Friction; Statue of Liberty; The Rhythm; I'll Set Myself on Fire; New Town Animal in a Furnished Cage; All Along the Watchtower; Beatown; This Is Pop?; Dance Band; Neon Shuffle [Recorded for Sight & Sound In Concert at The Hippodrome, Golders Green, London, 9 March 1978 except Science Friction The Rhythm and Beatown Live in Concert at Paris Theatre, London, 17 January 1979]
Disc four: Live in Concert, Hammersmith Palais, 22 December 1980: Life Begins at the Hop; Burning with Optimism's Flames; Love at First Sight; Respectable Street; No Language in Our Lungs; This is Pop; Scissor Man; Towers of London; Battery Brides; Living Through Another Cuba; Generals and Majors; Making Plans for Nigel; Are You Receiving Me?
Highlights::