From quirky New Wave raves to quirky pop revivalists. No one could have predicted where XTC would end up.

Although some of its members had played together for years, the band that would debut as XTC formed in Swindon, England in 1976. Swindon has long been a punching bag in the UK, a synonym for Dullsville, and surely no band worth hearing would ever emerge from its lackluster city limits.

Surely.

Although Andy, Colin, Terry, and Barry (later Dave) endured a few London prejudices upon first arriving in town, all it took was one live performance in front of DJ John Peel to change their fortunes. His subsequent patronage spurred a record company feeding frenzy which Virgin eventually won, releasing the band’s debut album in 1978.

Too polished for punk and too poppy for post-punk — but too unusual for the mainstream — XTC became the textbook definition of a cult band, scoring only one Top 10 UK hit in their history (peaking at #10) and generally selling a modest number of albums to a loyal fan base. It likely did not help that primary singer and songwriter Andy Partridge had a slight nervous breakdown on stage at a sold out show in Los Angeles in 1982 and thereafter refused to tour.

Like The Beatles before them, XTC remained a studio band for the rest of their existence, trading an expanded audience for an expanded sound palette. Like their favorite bands from the late 60s, they began to use the studio as a toolbox and a playground, and the colors would abound. The music became more pastoral, less aggressive, and the melodies began to rival their influences. At the same time, Andy’s lyrics showed an increasing gift for extended metaphors and internal rhymes. The poetry of pop.

Prepare yourself for the boys in the band. It’s a magical place. Here’s the least you need to know:

Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles Collection (1977-1992) A double-disc set that almost completely serves your neophyte needs. It would be the only item you need except for the fact that, like their heroes, XTC didn’t only try to excel with singles, but also with whole albums.

English Settlement (1982) Their highest charting album containing their highest charting hit. Surprising, since it’s a double LP and they completely abandon short, radio-friendly songs. The band add acoustic guitars and huge drum sounds. Testing the limits. 1-2-3-4-5.

Skylarking (1986) A loose concept album taking place over the course of a day. Producer Todd Rundgren helps steer the band into previously uncharted sonic realms. Contains the left field US college rock hit “Dear God.”

Chips From The Chocolate Fireball (1987) XTC goes Sgt. Pepper, taking on the guise of The Dukes Of Stratosphear and recording music inspired by British psychedelia from 1967 and ’68. The first mini-album released as The Dukes on April Fool’s Day in 1985 sold twice as many copies as their previous album under their own name. It was so successful they released a full-length sequel in 1987. Chips From The Chocolate Fireball combines the two releases into one. Alas, there have been no further albums as the band died in a “horrible sherbet accident” shortly after their second album.

For further study: Drums And Wires (1979), Black Sea (1980), and Apple Venus Vol. 1 (1999). I can understand why some fans might quibble over the choice of English Settlement over Black Sea, but the latter has five songs on the Fossil Fuel compilation so it’s already well represented. I was close to being truly draconian and leaving off both, but decided that slack should be cut when it comes to my top-tier favorite artists. (Y’all are eventually going to get sooo many Neil Young albums recommended to you).