Singer-songwriter-bassist Colin Moulding came to fame as a founding member of new wave\/art pop band XTC. The Swindon, England-based group is perhaps best known as a vehicle for the songs of Andy Partridge, but while Moulding has been a far less prolific songwriter, his high-quality songs are a key to the success \u2013 both critical and commercial \u2013 of XTC. Prior to and since that band\u2019s dissolution in 2006, Moulding occasionally worked outside the band as well, collaborating with a fascinating assortment of other artists including Anton Barbeau, Days Between Stations and Billy Sherwood\u2019s Prog Collective. Here are five XTC tracks that showcase the creative artistry of Colin Moulding.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife Begins at the Hop\u201d (single, 1979)<\/strong>
\nEarly XTC tracks \u2013 like those presented on the band\u2019s 1979 debut album White Music<\/em> and Go 2<\/em>, released the same year \u2013 were often characterized by a herky-jerky, nervous character. \u201cLife Begins at the Hop\u201d has some of that quality, but Moulding\u2019s songwriting displays catchy pop values, making the song the best of both worlds. The band\u2019s fifth single, it was XTC\u2019s first to chart in the UK, Australia and Canada. Greater success was just around the corner.<\/p>\n