The Dukes of Stratosphear

The Dukes are to XTC what Naz Nomad and the Nightmares are to the Damned: a nom de plume to allow that allows an artist to create atypical, self-indulgent music in peace. In the Dukes of Stratosphere's case, Andy Partridge dips his toes in the sandbox and writes a collection of trippy, '60s-inspired songs that would sound at home on any Nuggets collection. From the Hollies-esque pop of "Vanishing Girl" to the kaleidoscopic charm of "Your Gold Dress," the Dukes lovingly capture the era in which their love of music began.