"Easter Theatre" by XTC
Strong Songs
Unraveling the Musical Complexity
Delve into the intricate musical composition of the song, exploring the dynamic movements and parallel elements within the music, from guitar and trumpet solos to mythic and naturalistic lyrical themes. Analyze the lush vocal arrangement, lydian swirl, and minimalist styles in the wind arrangement, dissecting the interaction between woodwind lines, strings, drums, electric guitar, and trumpet to create a dynamic and exciting sound.
Stage left! It's time for Strong Songs to talk about XTC. Stage right! Now the song is picked, analysis can begin. Stand up! If we listen close, we'll hear some lovely notes...
On this episode, Kirk takes the stage alongside "Easter Theatre," the first single off of XTC's 1999 experimental symphono-pop album Apple Venus: Vol. 1. Bring on the bassoons and power up the mellotron; we've got some shapes to stack.
Written by: Andy Partridge
Produced by: Haydn Bendall & Nick Davies
Album: Apple Venus Vol. 1, 1999 and Instruvenus, 2002
Listen/Buy via Songwhip
ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:
- “Senses Working Overtime” by Andy Partridge from English Settlement, 1982
- “Dear God” by Partridge (eventually) from Skylarking, 1986
- “Mayor of Simpleton” from Oranges & Lemons, 1989
- “River of Orchids,” “I’d Like That,” “Greenman,” “Frivolous Tonight,” and “Fruit Nut” by XTC from Apple Venus, Vol. 1, 1999
- "Easter Theatre (Demo Version)" and "How Easter Theatre Came to Be" released with the UK single, 1999
- Partridge’s 1999 Guitar Player interview
- Complicated Game: Inside the Songs of XTC by Andy Partridge with Todd Bernhardt
- A subsequent behind the song interview published by XTC
- “Killer Queen” by Freddie Mercury from Sheer Heart Attack, 1974
- “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens from Illinoise, 2005
- “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton as sung by Whitney Houston on The Bodyguard Soundtrack, 1992
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