Andy Partridge - My Failed Songwriting Career Vol 1 - Ape - CDep - Out Now
Since the dawn of the Edison cylinder, much has been said about the hit-and-miss life of a songwriter's fortunes, not least by the tunesmiths themselves. XTC's Andy Partridge isn't unique - well he is, but not when it comes to sharing his dismay at having his latest pre-requested creation getting the proverbial boot by another artist or label. And who can blame him? His Fuzzy Warbles album series introduced a few gems to listeners, deemed unsuitable by various clients from pop stars to film studios.
The tale continues with this all-too-brief EP of four songs "re-Andy-fied" and given just a little bit more love than the intended recipient may have done. All written for others and ultimately handed back to their creator, Partridge might be onto something here (depending on how many he's got squirreled away in vaultland).
I'm not going to bore you with who I think these songs were written for because speculation doesn't achieve anything. Besides which, I'm still trying to figure out who the stone-deaf plank was who scuppered Great Day's chances of becoming a number 1 - it's a classic bit of Partridge, all hazy-eyed harmonies, radio-friendly melodies and, darn it, a singalong chorus. I personally cannot see the McCartney comparison - it reminds me more of, er, XTC. It's better than McCartney these days anyway. Don't @ me. It also slots in nicely next to former co-writing Colin Moulding's Say It and Frivilous Tonight - same carefree rhythm, same exquisite vibe.
The remaining trio range from the fuzzy glam-rock shuffle of Ghost Train, the weepy psych-ballad Maid of Stars and the jaunty romp of The Mating Dance, which includes the typically cheeky lyric "If you wanna get inside their pants, you're gonna have to learn to do the mating dance...". I suspect that wouldn't have adorned the inner lyric sheet for Taylor Swift at any rate.
Here's to volume 2 then. Meanwhile, I'm still replaying Great Day.