Wasp Star (Apple Venus, Pt. 2) - XTC
  • Band Name: XTC
  • Record Label: TVT
  • Release Date: May 23, 2000
Wasp Star (Apple Venus, Pt. 2) Image
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Sonicnet
    100
    Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2) finds Partridge and Moulding at the top of their game, making the collection a fitting match for past XTC triumphs...
  2. Billboard
    80
    Nine of the album's dozen songs were written by Partridge, and each unfolds like an act of a melodious Shakespearean play -- lyrics drenched in imagery and metaphor, plots twisting through the experience of love and betrayal.
  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.
  4. All Music Guide
    60
    This record is really nothing more than a collection of sharp, witty, well-constructed pop songs.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. WillyP
    10
    Partridge is the rare artist whose songwriting abilities continue to grow into middle age.
  2. HappyM.
    10
    One of XTC's best!
  3. JimRobson
    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.… Expand
  4. TravisC.
    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

See all 6 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Rumours [35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] - Fleetwood Mac
    Metascore: 99
  2. Sunbather - Deafheaven
    Metascore: 97
  3. Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 2 - Miles Davis Quintet
    Metascore: 92
  4. Jama Ko - Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
    Metascore: 90
  5. Southeastern - Jason Isbell
    Metascore: 90
  6. Like a Rose - Ashley Monroe
    Metascore: 89
  7. Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Musgraves
    Metascore: 88
  8. Your Turn - Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog
    Metascore: 88
  9. The Graceless Age - John Murry
    Metascore: 88
  10. Minute by Minute - The James Hunter Six
    Metascore: 88
  11. M B V - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 87
  12. Acid Rap - Chance the Rapper
    Metascore: 87
  13. Yeezus - Kanye West
    Metascore: 87
  14. Beautiful Africa - Rokia Traoré
    Metascore: 87
  15. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
    Metascore: 87
  16. LSXX [Last Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition] - The Breeders
    Metascore: 87
  17. Annie Up - Pistol Annies
    Metascore: 87
  18. Without a Net - Wayne Shorter
    Metascore: 86
  19. Once I Was an Eagle - Laura Marling
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »