{"product_id":"xtc-black-sea-vinyl-lp","title":"XTC: Black Sea (Vinyl LP)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eXTC — \u003cem\u003eBlack Sea\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Virgin Records Canada  |  \u003cstrong\u003eCatalog:\u003c\/strong\u003e VL-2203  |  \u003cstrong\u003eSide A Matrix:\u003c\/strong\u003e VL2203-A SNB DM-2  |  \u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12\" Vinyl LP, Black  |  \u003cstrong\u003ePressing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Made in Canada\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Artist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/XTC\" title=\"XTC\"\u003eXTC\u003c\/a\u003e formed in Swindon, England in 1972 and evolved from a scrappy pub-rock outfit into one of the most inventive and intellectually ambitious bands of the post-punk era. Led by the songwriting partnership of \u003cstrong\u003eAndy Partridge\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eColin Moulding\u003c\/strong\u003e, XTC blended angular guitar riffs, intricate arrangements, and sharp, literate lyrics into a sound that defied easy categorization. After retiring from live performance in 1982, the band channelled all their energy into the studio, producing a remarkable run of albums that grew increasingly sophisticated and influential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Album\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBlack Sea\u003c\/em\u003e, released in September 1980, marked a pivotal moment in XTC's career — a harder, more aggressive record than its predecessor \u003cem\u003eDrums and Wires\u003c\/em\u003e, yet brimming with melodic invention and sardonic wit. Produced by \u003cstrong\u003eSteve Lillywhite\u003c\/strong\u003e (who also helmed landmark records by U2 and Peter Gabriel), the album is defined by its dense, compressed sound: thundering drums, choppy guitars, and Partridge's and Moulding's voices locked in urgent, almost breathless delivery. It reached #16 on the UK Albums Chart and is widely regarded as one of the finest post-punk records ever made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTrack Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\"Generals and Majors\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — The album's lead single, a propulsive anti-militarist anthem with an irresistibly hooky chorus.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\"Living Through Another Cuba\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — Cold War paranoia set to a frantic, almost panicked groove.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\"Love at First Sight\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — A deceptively bright pop song with a wry, unsentimental edge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\"Rocket from a Bottle\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — Moulding's contribution: a tightly coiled rocker with a nautical undercurrent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\"No Language in Our Lungs\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — A philosophical meditation on the limits of expression, closing Side A on an unexpectedly tender note.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecord:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVery Good (VG)\u003c\/strong\u003e — Cleaned with a Spin-Clean record washer and stored in a new inner plastic sleeve. Minor surface scuffs visible under light. Played flawlessly on a quality turntable with \u003cem\u003eno skips\u003c\/em\u003e; minor pops and crackles noted, consistent with grade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJacket:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eGood (G)\u003c\/strong\u003e — Intact and presentable with normal shelf and handling wear. Original inner sleeve included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA landmark of post-punk — angular, urgent, and endlessly rewarding. This Canadian pressing of \u003c\/em\u003eBlack Sea\u003cem\u003e is a fine addition to any serious vinyl collection.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Portage MCC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47491155165437,"sku":"VL2203-A","price":24.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/9597\/7651\/files\/PXL-20260504_163926188_2.jpg?v=1778086629","url":"https:\/\/portagemcc.com\/fr\/products\/xtc-black-sea-vinyl-lp","provider":"Portage MCC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}