Black Sea (XTC album)

Background

In August 1979, XTC released their third LP Drums and Wires, a more pop-oriented venture than the previous Go 2 (1978). It met positive reviews and peaked at number 34. Bassist Colin Moulding's dissatisfaction with XTC's "quirky" reputation inspired the group to take a more accessible approach; he recalled, "Up until that point, we were viewed as a poor man’s Talking Heads or something ... when we came out with Drums and Wires it was like a different band, really."

The lead single "Making Plans for Nigel" boosted the band's popularity, selling out every date of their UK tour, though they still felt unfashionable in England. The LP sold well in Canada and elsewhere, but only minimally improved sales in England. Frontman Andy Partridge sensed he was losing leadership, partly because Moulding had provided all charting singles to date, attracting favouritism from Virgin Records. Partridge attempted to exert more authority, later calling himself "a very benevolent dictator."

Guitarist Dave Gregory disagreed, recalling the band was "pretty tired" and Partridge "could be a little bit of a bully." Moulding said Virgin wanted a quick follow-up to "Nigel," and Partridge was eager to prove he could write a hit. The band recorded Partridge's "Wait Till Your Boat Goes Down" with producer Phil Wainman, but it became their lowest-selling single.

Songs

"Respectable Street" was lyrically inspired by Partridge's observations of Bowood Road, a Swindon street opposite where he lived, and a neighbour nicknamed "Mrs. Washing." After finishing the song, he realised it could only be about England and appended an old-fashioned Noël Coward-style intro later repurposed for the bridge. "Generals and Majors" was written by Moulding as a satirical take on "oh, what a lovely war." It was his attempt at a one-chord composition, inspired by the Beatles' "Doctor Robert" and "Paperback Writer," with a guitar riff supplied by Partridge and a disco drumbeat from Chambers.

"Living Through Another Cuba" addressed Partridge's fears of the Cold War and Britain's diminished role, describing it as "total nuclear-war paranoia" and the "uselessness of England." "Towers of London" is a tribute to Victorian-era London workers, one of the few XTC songs that modulates key unintentionally and one requiring an edit of Chambers' drum performance. The music stemmed from Partridge subconsciously rewriting the Beatles' "Rain," aiming for "clangorous guitars crashing together, and sort of droning."

The recording begins with Lillywhite saying "take-a-hundred-and-three," echoed by Chambers and Partridge imitating Ian Reid. "Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)" was a lyrical throwback to the band's earlier Helium Kidz days; Partridge considered it "the most irrelevant song on the album" and regretted writing it.

Release

Released on 12 September 1980, Black Sea sold moderately, spending 7 weeks on the UK album charts and peaking at number 16. In the US, it spent 24 weeks on the Billboard 200, reaching number 41 in February 1981. Virgin's marketing department found the album difficult to promote, splitting campaigns between serious national media, independent music press, and schoolgirl-oriented magazines; Partridge recalled the label "wanted us to be the power-pop teen dream thing."

Several singles were issued: "Generals and Majors" (number 32), "Towers of London" (number 31), and "Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)" (number 16). "Sgt. Rock" elicited feminist hate-mail for the lyric "keep her stood in line"; the band performed it on the BBC children's programme Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, where Partridge gave away his acoustic guitar. "Respectable Street" was banned from BBC radio due to references to abortion and a "Sony Entertainment Centre."

"Love at First Sight" was issued exclusively in Canada. Music videos were filmed for "Towers of London," "Generals and Majors," and "Respectable Street." Initially, "Towers of London" was the lead single, but after filming its video, Virgin changed plans and issued "Generals and Majors" first. On 10 October 1980, BBC-2 premiered the documentary XTC at the Manor, featuring a faked studio session of "Towers of London."

Touring

During filming, the band voiced concerns about having no video for "Generals and Majors"; Virgin owner Richard Branson rented war uniforms and organized a makeshift video, which Partridge called "the worst video ever made by man." From 1980 to 1981, XTC toured Australia, New Zealand, and the US as the opening act for the Police, doing two tours. Todd Rundgren attended a Chicago date; Robert Stigwood met them backstage at The Ritz in New York, calling them the most exciting live band since the Who.

In Athens, Georgia, local band R.E.M. supported XTC and covered XTC songs. The night after John Lennon was killed, XTC played in Liverpool, performing "Towers of London" and "Rain" in tribute.

Critical reception

Black Sea received critical acclaim. An unnamed Billboard reviewer deemed the album "consistently appealing and more accessible than [Drums and Wires]." In Musician, Roy Trakin praised its fusion of "Partridge's love of rhythm and Moulding's affinity for melody," noting songs like "Towers of London" and "Burning With Optimism's Flames" achieved a seamless synthesis. Don Shewey of Rolling Stone found the album consistent except for "Travels in Nihilon," which he wrote "strays from the intersection of punk and pop where XTC are most at home."

Jeff Tamarkin of CMJ New Music Report described it as a refinement with "superb production, musicianship and writing," though disappointed by the lack of Moulding songs. Biographer Chris Twomey noted detractors thought its "complex musical nuts and bolts [were] too arty or too clever for their own good." Michael Kremen of The Michigan Daily reviewed that the songs "no longer sound fresh," hearing too many bits from previous records and Beatles-era material.

Did You Know?

• The band originally considered titling the album Terry and the Lovemen, had drummer Terry Chambers agreed to pose in a Lurex tuxedo for the cover.
• In Japan, the album was initially advertised under the title Work Under Pressure.
• The album cover features the band in antique diving suits in front of a nautical painting by Ken White, after a sketch by Partridge.