My XTC story begins, alphabetically, with their tenth album, 1999's Apple Venus, Volume 1. The "volume 1" designation comes because this was XTC's first album after they'd been "on strike" for six years against Virgin Records, and they had multiple albums worth of matrial ready to release. Volume 2 was Wasp Star, which came out the following year.
Looking back, it seems like most of the good songs are on the first volume, because Apple Venus Volume 1 is one of the strongest XTC albums, and Wasp Star is one of their weakest. It was the one that was the biggest departure from XTC's signature sound, compounded by Dave Gregory walking out during the sessions after twenty years with the band.
As a result, most of the album was recorded "orchustically" with acoustic songs by Andy and Colin expanded with orchestral backing. Apparently AV1 alienated "many fans", but I wasn't one of them. Ten years after its release, I think it's one of the best things they ever did. Here's "Easter Theatre".
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