Homespun: The Apple Venus Volume One Home Demos [Limited Edition] [Limited Edition]

XTC | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 5, 1999
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Tvt
• ASIN: B000020688
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,647 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #30 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave
  • #66 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Chamber Pop

Track Listings

1. River of Orchids

2. I'd Like That

3. Easter Theatre

4. Knights in Shining Karma

5. Frivolous Tonight

6. Green Man

7. Your Dictionary

8. Fruit Nut

9. I Can't Own Her

10. Harvest Festival

11. The Last Balloon

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

XTC may have spent most of the 1990s locked in a protracted "strike" against their record label of 15 years, but mainstays Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding continued to compose an impressive body of songs, many of which finally saw the light of day on the elegantly sophisticated Apple Venus Volume One. This new collection documents--literally and figuratively--those "lost years," from doodlings and scratched-out lyrical fragments to rough cassette tapes and multitrack home recordings. The resulting album, whose titles match Apple Venus track for track, is essentially a documentary of the earlier album's genesis, yet one whose compelling viewpoint stands on its own. Though obviously intended for XTC diehards, these stark, modernistic takes are rife with flourishes inspired by everything from Philip Glass to modern jazz. Partridge's and Moulding's copious notes are as blunt as they are playfully self-deprecating; good humor is hardly the least of their assets. It would be easy and wrong to characterize Homespun as Apple Venus Unplugged. Extra-dimensional is more to the point. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Demo versions of all 11 tracks from the English new wave leg ends' 1999 comeback outing 'Apple Venus Volume One'. Include s a 24-page booklet with lyrics, extracts from Andy Partridge's notebook and exclusive photos. 1999 TVT release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice, February 28, 2000

By 

Billy Dechand (St. Louis, MO, American Empire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homespun: The Apple Venus Volume One Home Demos [Limited Edition] (Audio CD)

Yes, the arrangements are almost identical to the studio release. But in many cases the performances are superior. Vocals come through clearer; ideas are more obvious. It's a real testament to their musicianship/professionalism that the songs are so similar in demo and final form. Clearly, they are their own producers, rather than pretty faced fools who let others turn their songs into hits. Have some heart, pundits. They need the money. I read a long (and entertaining) interview where they described how much it cost to rent the orchestra for one day. It wiped out almost all the money they had. Yes, their own money. So if you wanna hear the second Apple Venus, quit yer yappin. This demo CD is for supporters and fans of musicians, rather than record companies.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What's the point?, October 10, 1999

By 

Raymond Benson (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Homespun: The Apple Venus Volume One Home Demos [Limited Edition] (Audio CD)

Don't get me wrong. I'm a HUGE XTC fan from the beginning. I love "Apple Venus Vol. 1", but I'm perplexed why they would bother to put out this CD of "home demos" which do not differ significantly from the final product. I mean, this is an exact replica of "A.V. Vol. 1", track by track, except that the songs are in a cruder form. Okay, it's interesting for a listen or two, but why bother? I'd much rather listen to the final "Apple Venus Vol. 1"! For that matter, I'd rather hear "Apple Venus, Vol. 2!" I thought that was supposed to be out in August! Come on Andy, Colin... this is a bit of musical m*****bation, isn't it?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Blueprint of Happiness, December 16, 2000

By 

Solo Goodspeed (Granada Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homespun: The Apple Venus Volume One Home Demos [Limited Edition] (Audio CD)

One of the biggest problems I have with XTC is that so few people realize that Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding are Britain's greatest gift to songwriting since Lennon and McCartney. But you see, you can't really tell people this without them reacting as if you just blasphemed God.

That being stated, my reaction to those detractors who consider this release to be self indulgent would have to be something like, would you say something like that if The Beatles released a collection of rough demos of songs before being produced as polished albums? Imagine Abbey Road before the orchestral arrangements and segues were worked in.

If anything, hearing the rough takes of these magnificent songs gives a deeper appreciation for each one, if you happen to adore the album as much as I do. Actually, before buying this version I was expecting a tad more rough edges; I wasn't aware that much of the "orchestral" arrangement on Apple Venus was sampled sound. So let the buyer beware ... this is not exactly the "unplugged" approach.

Homespun could indeed be considered a for-fans-only release. Or maybe directed towards "limited edition" suckers like myself. I guess I just appreciate this album because it's sort of an invitation into the musical world of a songwriting team I happen to respect very highly, especially after such an admirable comeback effort as Apple Venus. I have already sung its praises in another review of that album. Hopefully THAT won't be considered too self-indulgent.