Great stuff!

Glad you like Reign of Blows. Strangely enough, that song popping up on shuffle was the impetus for me to get back into the band after several years away. I remember glancing at my iPod after hearing the pounding drums/industrial guitars/shrieking harmonica intro and having one of those "wait, this is [insert band]?" moments. XTC are one of those bands who have sneakily covered a lot more stylistic ground than they're usually given credit for.

I hope to get into Skylarking like you have some day. My disposition towards it is very positive, the songs just haven't managed to stick with me yet.

Having listened to several Elephant 6 bands extensively over the years, among other indie pop groups, I've heard many attempts at emulating Sgt. Peppers (alternatively, Pet Sounds), and I don't necessarily find Skylarking to be the strongest of those albums from a melodic standpoint. But, hey, I've changed my mind before.

Besides, labeling it a Beatles retread (which, to clarify, I don't think YOU did) has always seemed a bit reductive to me; it's much more lush and organic sounding record than Lennon/McCartney were capable of producing (or wanted to produce) back in '67.

re: Todd Rundgren's megalomania,
There was an interview with him at the AV Club where he (fairly convincingly) shifted the blame for the tensions on Partridge. I don't know who to believe, but, as usual, the answer's probably somewhere in the middle.