XTC: Chalkhills & Children (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The authorized account of the rise of the Swindon based trio XTC and the reasons behind their longevity and decision to abandon live appearances. Based on interviews with Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory, it tells of their trials and tribulations since their formation in 1977. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Press; 2nd edition (July 15, 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0711991057
• ISBN-13: 978-0711991057
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,839,677 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for fans..., May 1, 2000

By	Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Xtc: Chalkhills and Children (Paperback)

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?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Detailed? Maybe in *some* ways, maybe not in others..., April 20, 2003

By	David Swan (Canal Winchester, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Xtc: Chalkhills and Children (Paperback)

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?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the sad truth, April 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Xtc: Chalkhills and Children (Paperback)

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.