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Wasp Star (Apple Venus, Pt. 2) - XTC
  • Band Name: XTC
  • Record Label: TVT
  • Release Date: May 23, 2000
User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8

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  1. TravisC.
    May 22, 2002
    8
    While more pedestrian by XTC's standards, it's still a stand out among the current crop of clone-rockers dominating the sales charts and radio stations nowadays. The absence of long time lead guitarist and overall utility man Dave Gregory stands out on a few tracks, most notably on "Stupidly Happy" and "We're All Light", however the brilliance of Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding helps shape another album full of top calibre songwriting. As usual, there are numerous stand out tracks, but "My Brown Guitar" probably ranks among XTC's all-time best.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. HappyM.
    Jan 3, 2006
    10
    One of XTC's best!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. WillyP
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    Partridge is the rare artist whose songwriting abilities continue to grow into middle age.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. JimRobson
    Dec 17, 2001
    10
    One of the ORIGINAL trendsetter bands from the '70's who have continued thru to this very day as an example of HOW to write clever, witty, exceptionally precise yet the loose groovers they would like to remain. They continue to inspire my very own songwriting styles. I flips me lid to 'em. -Jim Robson.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. FredH.
    Jun 24, 2001
    8
    The last XTC album I enjoyed this much was 1989's Oranges and Lemons. The GREAT songs outnumber the only OK ones. And it's got depth - the more I listen to it, the more I discover and the more I appreciate how wonderful it is.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. BrooksH
    Nov 26, 2002
    7
    A welcome return of electric guitars (compared to the more acoustic/orchestrated companion piece Apple Venus Vol. 1). A nice effort from Swindon's finest. Great writing and playing by Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, but can't help but wonder how much better the album would have been if multi-instrumentalist/arranger Dave Gregory had not departed the band (his contributions to some of these songs were not included on the final mixes). Would rank this behind more essential XTC albums; English Settlement, Skylarking and Black Sea. … Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Magnet
    40
    The balance of the album is crammed to capacity with placeholders for more fully developed ideas.
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  2. Wall of Sound
    81
    Wasp Star adheres to the bouncy melodicism and skewed humor that's been XTC's stock in trade for 25 years.
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  3. Pitchfork
    80
    It's a great bunch of songs, and it solidifies the notion that XTC are back from the wilderness and ready to rock the show.
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