As an example of a negative opinion, when I listened to Vanishing Girl it kept reminding me of several songs I couldn't quite remember and on the whole it seemed like a decent pastiche and not one of the best songs ever. I didn't particularly jump out in terms of strength and emotional resonance when I encountered it on the Children of Nuggets box set (and 25'o Clock just seemed fake in comparison to other songs there). Of course XTC is way ahead in terms of melodicity compared to other bands there, but I couldn't find the sincerity behind their songs.