Picking a favourite XTC riff is like picking a favourite child. You have to love them all, unconditionally. I'd say that the Black Sea album is XTC at their most rifftastic. 'Generals And Majors' for instance.
I was 10 when Black Sea came out and that chord progression on "Generals and Majors always Seem so unhappy 'less they got a war" is one of the greatest ever.
Totally agree. I made a Best Tracks playlist on Spotify with XTC and the idea was to add the entire albums and slowly remove ones I don't like that much. I ended up not removing anything and just deleted the playlist. Been a fan of XTC since High School and I appreciate this video. Thank you!
That riffing in the middle of 'Respectable Street' where Andy sings: 'It's in the order of their hedge ro-wo-rows. It's in the way their curtains open and clo-wose.....is something I could never master. I love it, even through my frustration at trying to pry it out. haha
The beauty of XTC is that I would have chosen NINE completely different riffs (I'd have kept "Stupidly Happy"), but it still sounds AMAAZING!!! Well done!! (and made me appreciate some on your list I haven't given enough thought to!). Wonderful stuff!!!!
Very cool. I think YT's matrix threw your clip up for me because I was listening to "English Settlement" while working on a model car last night..but seeing a young guy playing these riffs helped remind me of something. I used to say that XTC was the 'greatest band that no one's ever heard of'. I was wrong. Seems that whenever I'm around people who take music seriously, *most* of them love XTC. Musicians, music teachers, rock historians, etc. I personally was an old-school radio DJ and played drums in a New Wave cover band back then. So..I guess I'm saying all the "right" people know who XTC is? Oh, well. Nice chops. Now play "Towers of London" again, please.
Nicely done! I remember reading an interview with Andy years ago that the riff for “Living Through Another Cuba” comes from an instrumental that was originally called “Spy in Space.”
Can you do a part 2 and include "Millions"? Not "One of the Millions", I'm interested in seeing you play that haunting industrial riff in "Millions" from the "Drums and Wires" album. Thanks and great job!!
I'd have put "Wake Up" at #1, "Scissor Man" at #2, and so on. A nearly completely different list. It is hard to choose the best songs by them, and must be tougher just to get a consensus of their best RIFFS.
I actually get this joke. Andy was always telling Dave "no erning!" and Dave be like "what ?" Andy grab his guitar and play some repeating simple chord sound "ernee... ernieee.... erneee... ernieeee" "That ! NO ERNING !" He'd say lol.
Underlines the energy in Terry Chamber's drumming, really driving the songs on. Neither TC nor Dave Gregory/AP ever get mentioned in lists of best drummers/guitarists, staggering especially in DG's case
@@tiernanloud Mummer is one of my favorites for sure. Such a wide variety of songs, and a new sound for the band. Less guitar focused and more synth-y. Mummer is awesome!
On 'Sgt. Rock', try leaving the D string open on that first walk down riff from 11th fret to 9th fret. That's how I learned it based on the guitar chord chart in the "11 Different Animals" songbook that came out ... decades ago with sheet music from singles off their first 4 albums. I doubt anyone would notice the difference from the way you play it in the video, but in the spirit of being accurate to the riff, it's worth a try, innit? Great work on these. Andy and Dave Gregory are both amazing guitar players but Andy's knack for making up a chord because he likes the sound makes it so hard (for me anyway) to figure out how to play a lot their songs.
@@tiernanloud Richard Branson. It won't let me post the link here, but just type in xtc generals and majors and watch that video. That's Richard Branson. One of the richest men in the world, owner of virgin airlines, virgin records, friend of sicko Obama, and a frequent flyer to pedo island.
@@tiernanloud CZcams is removing my replies telling you that Richard Branson owns virgin airlines and virgin records AND WAS A FREQUENT FLYER YO THE ISLAND WHERE THE RICH FK LITTLE KIDS
Picking a favourite XTC riff is like picking a favourite child. You have to love them all, unconditionally. I'd say that the Black Sea album is XTC at their most rifftastic. 'Generals And Majors' for instance.
I'm a big fan of the "Mummer" album. Probably their most experimental time
I was 10 when Black Sea came out and that chord progression on "Generals and Majors always
Seem so unhappy 'less they got a war" is one of the greatest ever.
Totally agree. I made a Best Tracks playlist on Spotify with XTC and the idea was to add the entire albums and slowly remove ones I don't like that much. I ended up not removing anything and just deleted the playlist. Been a fan of XTC since High School and I appreciate this video. Thank you!
Very enlightened young man! There is hope for humanity afterall!
I sure hope so!
That riffing in the middle of 'Respectable Street' where Andy sings: 'It's in the order of their hedge ro-wo-rows. It's in the way their curtains open and clo-wose.....is something I could never master. I love it, even through my frustration at trying to pry it out. haha
some tough licks to wrap your head around for sure
It's tough, for sure. I was tasked with playing this in bands c. 1985-6. Partial success, really!
@@TonyLovellthat’s awesome!
A fair mix of the Moulding Partridge magic.
absolutely
素敵な演奏ありがとう。 XTC大好き。
The beauty of XTC is that I would have chosen NINE completely different riffs (I'd have kept "Stupidly Happy"), but it still sounds AMAAZING!!! Well done!! (and made me appreciate some on your list I haven't given enough thought to!).
Wonderful stuff!!!!
thanks brother , that's the beauty of it
Great point. I’d keep Reel by Reel but probably pick nine completely different song riffs
Fantastic! Nice job brother. Love XTC!
YASSS. Some of those chords are so odd, but sound soooooo good.
So true!
'Love At First Sight' has this post-punk dance energy that would come to be emulated by so many UK indie bands in the 2000s.
Good observation!
Very cool. I think YT's matrix threw your clip up for me because I was listening to "English Settlement" while working on a model car last night..but seeing a young guy playing these riffs helped remind me of something. I used to say that XTC was the 'greatest band that no one's ever heard of'. I was wrong. Seems that whenever I'm around people who take music seriously, *most* of them love XTC. Musicians, music teachers, rock historians, etc. I personally was an old-school radio DJ and played drums in a New Wave cover band back then.
So..I guess I'm saying all the "right" people know who XTC is? Oh, well. Nice chops. Now play "Towers of London" again, please.
I agree! And thanks a lot !
Great selection there, nicely played. I know it's really simple, but I think "Life Begins at the Hop" belongs in there somewhere too! Keep on riffin!
Thanks alot! You might like my life begins at the hop video: czcams.com/video/o6rIgI8RSeI/video.html
Some impressive fingering there. Really fluid playing.
Appreciate that greatly
Excellent job, and great spirit. I loved the song selection. Riches among treasures.
Thanks a lot pal
Brilliant thought provoking choices! So many fantastic XTC songs to choose from! ❤
Thanks a lot and true!
I wholly agree with Living Through Another Cuba at the top.
that's wonderful
The intro of towers of London is in my opinion one of the best guitar intros ever. But yes, I agree with Plok77, you got to love them all.
Very true
Very impressive. All great riffs. Bravo
Thanks !
I really enjoyed this. Thank-you.
So glad to hear that!
Glorious! Thank you for that!
thanks!
Well done!! More please!!
thanks alot , more coming soon stay tuned
"No Thugs" rocks so hard.
Totally agreed!
Nicely done! I remember reading an interview with Andy years ago that the riff for “Living Through Another Cuba” comes from an instrumental that was originally called “Spy in Space.”
Interesting, I wasn’t aware thanks
Brilliantly done!
thanks!
You're really, really good. And have wonderful taste in music! Kudos! :)
Thanks so much!
Nice job. Those are great!
Thanks so much
Well done!
Thanks brother
Can you do a part 2 and include "Millions"? Not "One of the Millions", I'm interested in seeing you play that haunting industrial riff in "Millions" from the "Drums and Wires" album. Thanks and great job!!
that's a great song. Has been on my radar
Now that's. A challenging riff. Good call.
I'd have put "Wake Up" at #1, "Scissor Man" at #2, and so on. A nearly completely different list. It is hard to choose the best songs by them, and must be tougher just to get a consensus of their best RIFFS.
Good picks, and you’re right there really is no possible consensus
Great Job! "No Ernie-ing!"....😅
Ernie Johnson?
I actually get this joke. Andy was always telling Dave "no erning!" and Dave be like "what ?" Andy grab his guitar and play some repeating simple chord sound "ernee... ernieee.... erneee... ernieeee" "That ! NO ERNING !" He'd say lol.
@@juleskazen7057 lol I wasn’t aware
Very tasty! I was hoping for Melt the Guns and Respectable St., but we all have different tastes. Sounded great!
thanks brother
great stuff. XTC is in my Top 5 groups all-time, So many great melodic riffs from Andy and Colin. Might have King for A day on the list. t
So many
well done and agree your 1st is really one of the best guitar riff ever
Thanks!
Liking your work! Really nice.
Thanks so much!
'Across This Ant Heap".
good one
Oh hell yes
Great guitar tone. A tasteful selection of songs as well. Have you played the one note solo from "Love at First Sight' it is hypnotic.
Thanks! I never thought about that. It really is just one chord played over and over
Yes, here is a live clip of this song when the solo starts: czcams.com/video/8ab69F8bDqw/video.htmlsi=fbuLD029Swgsofbf&t=92 @@tiernanloud
But it fits that tune perfectly
I really like the riff in then she appeared, no one play it :(( great video!
That’s a good one
Bravo!!!!!!
Thanks!
Brilliant 🤟
Thanks brother
Underlines the energy in Terry Chamber's drumming, really driving the songs on. Neither TC nor Dave Gregory/AP ever get mentioned in lists of best drummers/guitarists, staggering especially in DG's case
I agree completely
Great stuff
thanks!
Sweet!
Wow. Great job !
Thanks!
Great stuff bravo
Thanks!
Great w0rk. XTC s0l0s next please.
Very cool!!
Thanks!
Stupidly happy my fave
It’s awesome
Too many good ones!
Agreed!
Great choice
However, I think the riff in "Melt the guns" should be #1
I clicked on this because I saw the picture on the right side of the screen and misread the text across it as 'TOP TOXIC RIFFS'
Lol! I never noticed that
@@tiernanloud after this I am now getting a thirst for toxic riffs... Any suggestions out there or nominations for bands with the best toxic riffs?
@@lazygazzzer spinal tap
@@lazygazzzer czcams.com/video/_fFdzSarRz4/video.htmlsi=W57LWewvk9xxTRfk
Great stuff. Respectable Street on your next list?
Thanks a lot . They all are so good
Neon Shuffle.
Black Sea 🖤
I was expecting a lot of Black Sea on this list. That album has some of the best guitar riffs and playing out of all of their albums.
My favorite is Mummer
@@tiernanloud Mummer is one of my favorites for sure. Such a wide variety of songs, and a new sound for the band. Less guitar focused and more synth-y. Mummer is awesome!
@@veggie928 absolutely. Groundbreaking record
Earn Enough For Us
czcams.com/video/OZr62uIWIfg/video.htmlsi=uHHl2MoFxWWXL6MC
This was the very time I have come across yourchannel. I'll be back! @@tiernanloud
@@donkick2622 sweet! Welcome anytime
Simplesmente show de bola
o que isso significa?
@@tiernanloud absolutely fantastic
@@danieldaniel2 obrigado
@@tiernanloud what you think they best album?
@@danieldaniel2Mummer has a special place in my heart
oh yes!!!!
hell yea
On 'Sgt. Rock', try leaving the D string open on that first walk down riff from 11th fret to 9th fret. That's how I learned it based on the guitar chord chart in the "11 Different Animals" songbook that came out ... decades ago with sheet music from singles off their first 4 albums. I doubt anyone would notice the difference from the way you play it in the video, but in the spirit of being accurate to the riff, it's worth a try, innit? Great work on these. Andy and Dave Gregory are both amazing guitar players but Andy's knack for making up a chord because he likes the sound makes it so hard (for me anyway) to figure out how to play a lot their songs.
all these riffs have a somewhat Keith Richards` thing; have you noticed?
Andy has mentioned at least for the riff from stupidly happy he thought it sounded like a long lost Keith Richards riff
lost riff, most definitely...@@tiernanloud
The ballad of Peter P...
The Meeting Place...
great song
Generals And Majors should be here
czcams.com/video/2DQkT8NOWiA/video.htmlsi=4tW9xd1SSa-5UTNg
@@tiernanloud Nice
Scarecrow People?
Respectable Street? 😮
Making plans for Nigel for a number 1and the disappointed should have been on there. Great that young dude loves this most Underrated band!
some band that..
You can say that again
This is a Complicated Game
Im impressed and dismayed that generals n majors didnt crack your top ten. Guess that was the American hit
I learned that song after I made this video lol : czcams.com/video/2DQkT8NOWiA/video.htmlsi=VTihnE5wyv0X93fX
Also I am American
@@tiernanloud love that one man! Its so fitting today! So funny to see branson too
@@BubbaZen10 who is Branson? Lol
@@tiernanloud Richard Branson. It won't let me post the link here, but just type in xtc generals and majors and watch that video. That's Richard Branson. One of the richest men in the world, owner of virgin airlines, virgin records, friend of sicko Obama, and a frequent flyer to pedo island.
@@tiernanloud CZcams is removing my replies telling you that Richard Branson owns virgin airlines and virgin records AND WAS A FREQUENT FLYER YO THE ISLAND WHERE THE RICH FK LITTLE KIDS
Pretty much Black Sea had the best riffs imho.
You could certainly say that
do complicated games
not one mention of science friction or statue of liberty, you literally picked all the worst ones.
Good joke!
More like Top 10 XTC Riffs that anyone can play.
More like Top 10 comments anyone can make.
sounds like the beatles 2/10
XTC sounds like the beatles?
How did you get Julian Lennon to play the guitar ?
I’ve heard from a few people I look like him