XTC’s 45 (Vol. 1) collects the band’s singles from 1977 to 1980, running from ‘Science Friction’ to the soundtrack rarity ‘Take This Town’. Across these early years, songwriters Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding moved through punk, new wave, ska and off-kilter pop while developing a sound unmistakably their own. The arrival of guitarist Dave Gregory helped expand their musical range, while frequent standalone singles encouraged constant experimentation. Also included is the US A-side version of ‘Ten Feet Tall’, capturing a remarkably fertile period in XTC’s career.