XTC Wasp Star (Apple Venus Vol. 2)

3 stars out of 5 - "...Returns to basic rhythm-guitar rock...following the contours of their melodies, resisting the impulse to endlessly embellish - the songs are streamlined, uncluttered miniatures..."
3 stars out of 5 - "...Wistful, often wry, but always intelligent pop. Always have done, always will do..."
3 out of 5 - "...The bulk of WASP STAR could get [XTC] card-carrying memberships in the Traveling Wilburys alongside Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne..."
"...Makes like a British Steely Dan, surrounding themselves with slick session hands who fuss over the recipes for warmed-over rock'n'roll casserole..."
"...Harks back to old-school XTC....driven by hooks and harmonies...and [all the tracks] have that warm, rustic sensibility..."
"...A collection of guitary pop songs which may well be the band's most straightforward set ever....few people make records like this any more; big-hearted, brainy, funny and poignant..."
7 out of 10 - "...An album of well-constructed guitar songs....a surprisingly decent album, as good as anything they've ever made..."