How a tense studio clash birthed a psychedelic masterpiece that almost never happened
In short: When XTC arrived in New York to record their 1986 album Skylarking, they were a band on the brink of being dropped by their label. Their producer, Todd Rundgren, immediately began dismantling their songs, sparking intense friction. The result was a lush, genre-defying record that became a defining classic.
In early 1986, XTC faced an ultimatum from Virgin Records: produce a hit or lose their contract. The label, believing the band sounded too English, forced them to work with American producer Todd Rundgren. The sessions at Rundgren's Utopia Sound Studio in Woodstock were fraught with conflict. Bandleader Andy Partridge and Rundgren clashed over everything from drum patterns to song selection, with Partridge later recalling that the producer would sarcastically dismiss his vocal takes. Despite the tension, Rundgren’s firm hand—which included choosing the tracklist and enforcing a strict, unorthodox recording method—ultimately shaped the album's cohesive, concept-driven sound.
The album was conceived as a loose cycle representing a day, a year, or a life. Rundgren pushed the band to bridge Colin Moulding’s pastoral tunes with Partridge’s pop anthems. The recording process was unconventional; Rundgren favored speed, often recording the band during initial run-throughs rather than allowing them to polish parts. This approach frustrated Partridge, who viewed it as a cost-cutting measure, but it captured a raw, spontaneous energy. The band even resorted to humor to cope, playing the theme from The Munsters whenever Rundgren arrived, a joke he reportedly never understood.
Skylarking was initially met with indifference in the UK, peaking at number 90 on the charts. However, the inclusion of the song 'Dear God'—which became a college radio hit in the US—propelled the album to number 70. The record’s legacy has only grown since, with publications like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork including it on their lists of the greatest albums of the 1980s. While a mastering error once gave the album a thin sound, subsequent remasters and a 2024 Dolby Atmos mix have finally restored the lush, orchestral swirl that defines this art-pop landmark.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Skylarking
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