XTC
MUMMER
APE
★★★★
XTC’s sixth LP followed Andy Partridge’s decision to quit touring after English Settlement’s success. A proper “studio album”, therefore, Mummer nevertheless lacked label support for its dearth of singles and, sadly, Virgin were right: Wonderland’s synth-vibes tanked and Love On A Farmboy’s Wages’ acoustic art-pop peaked at No.50. The frisky Funk Pop A Roll might have fared better, while Beating Of Hearts’ Eastern flavours repay attention, and In Loving Memory Of A Name offers charms like China Crisis’.