Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding have long been out of step with fashion -- and, as this characteristically dichotomous collection of pop-music-as-art Partridge epics and pop-music-as-pop Moulding singalongs again confirms, with each other.

But with XTC now officially down to a duo, they're stuck with each other, and we with them.

Reason enough, it seems, to celebrate the first new XTC release in eons by filling no less than four CDs with an eclectic collection of heartwrenching tales of Partridge's failed marriage (notably the regretful I'm the Man Who Murdered Love and the bitter Your Dictionary) and whimsical music-hall ditties from Moulding to lighten the mood.

More of the same, you say? Well, as XTC fans would be quick to note, that is never a bad thing -- few songwriters have Partridge's thirst for new melodic adventures or Moulding's pure-pop sensibility.

Apple Box offers an intimate glimpse into two fertile minds. Plus, for those in search of something more lush, there are a number of clever arrangements for full orchestra on offer.

Yes, that's the word: Clever.

Track Listing:

Disc 1:
1. River Of Orchids
2. I'd Like That
3. Easter Theatre
4. Knights In Shining Karma
5. Frivolous Tonight
6. Greenman
7. Your Dictionary
8. Fruit Nut
9. I Can't Own Her
10. Harvest Festival
11. The Last Balloon

Disc 2:
1. Playground
2. Stupidly Happy
3. In Another Life
4. My Brown Guitar
5. Boarded Up
6. I'm The Man Who Murdered Love
7. Were All Light
8. Standing In For Joe
9. Wounded Horse
10. You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful
11. Church Of Women
12. The Wheel And The Maypole

Disc 3:
1. River Of Orchids
2. I'd Like That
3. Easter Theatre
4. Knights In Shining Karma
5. Frivolous Tonight
6. Greenman
7. Your Dictionary
8. Fruit Nut
9. I Can't Own Her
10. Harvest Festival
11. The Last Balloon

Disc 4:
1. Playground
2. Stupidly Happy
3. In Another Life-Excerpt of original demo
4. In Another Life-Jug band version
5. Some Lovely
6. Boarded Up
7. I'm The Man Who Murdered Love-Early other cassette
8. I'm The Man Who Murdered Love-Tamla demo excerpt
9. I'm The Man Who Murdered Love
10. Were All Light-Early cassette idea
11. Were All Light
12. Standing In For Joe-Lounge version
13. Standing In For Joe
14. Wounded Horse
15. You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful
16. Lie For A Lie-Cassette demo
17. Church Of Women
18. The Pot Won't Hold Our Love-cassette demo
19. Everything Decays-Early cassette demo
20. The Wheel And The Maypole