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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It may be 2006 but it feels a lot more like it's 4 A.D. , April 25, 2006
Like clockwork Ronny Moorings and the Clan from Amsterdam have synthesized yet another melodic masterpiece and while Xymox appears to have found its North American home on the Metropolis label, there is no mistake that this is indeed the Clan of Xymox circa the 4 A.D. years. Breaking Point is an eclectic fusion of both modern and classic styles with memorable compositions that should delightfully appeal to fans of vintage C.O.X.
The first two tracks, "Weak in My Knees" and "Calling You Out" made their anticipated debut months ago on the single with the title track sounding more like a cut off their more contemporary electro-goth albums Farewell or Notes From the Underground but the crux of Breaking Point's acoustical arcane delights and somber vocals sound hauntingly like remnants of long lost recording sessions or forgotten B-sides unearthed from Subsequent Pleasures, Medusa, or their self-titled mid-eighties album, specifically on tracks such as "She Is Dangerous" "Eternally" "We Never Learn" "Cynara" and "Pandora's Box" that evoke such forlorn memories of the Clan's distant yesterdays that will send you reminiscing into a euphoric sentimental nostalgia... breaking out the 4 A.D. albums and kicking it old-school immediately thereafter.
Coming full circle with the post-modern dance track "Be My Friend" would almost immediately be identified with a trendier dance mix by Enigma with its flamboyant use of the operatic O Fortuna chorus if it weren't (thankfully) for Ronny's reverent vocals to elevate it far above the cliches of mainstream synthpop and giving it an appropriately resplendent sonic substance.
The progressive beats and minor synth-chords of "Under the Wire" easily make this track along with the illustrious "She is Dangerous" my two personal favorites and though I would have preferred the album to have concluded with the radiant "Under the Wire" to round it out with its harmonic crescendo, Breaking Point ends instead on a more ambiguous note with the daunting darkwave track "What's going on?" that will leave you just as disconcerted as both the lyrics and melody portends or is perhaps segueing into the next chapter of the Clan's enduring artistic legacy. Time, as always, will tell but for now Clan of Xymox, like all great eternal works of art, just keep getting better with age.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most Perfect Album, April 27, 2006
This is the most perfect album of Clan Of Xymox , combining the old with the new : a journey through sonic landscapes , alternating , sad and lonely places come to mind but also cynical lyrics like "Be my Friend" , obviously about someone Ronny wants to be left alone by:)
Cynara, Pandora's Box , We Never Learn, Eternally are the most beautiful slow ballads I have heard in a long time. The energetic Weak In My Knees , What's Going On and Under The Wire proves Clan Of Xymox are pumping out dance floor killers with every release. One of the most gripping songs to me is Calling You Out , a song about most likely the Gothic Scene or maybe Ronny's friends..maybe we get an answer in an interview on that one. In Short a PERFECT album and I could not wish for more. This band amazes me with every release and I think they are the leading forces of todays musical stream!
"Breaking Point" is possibly their most perfectly blended album yet. Featuring searing guitar lines, strong bass sounds mixed with atmospheric and powerful synths and Ronny Mooring's deep, sensuous and harmonic voice it delivers all of Xymox's trademark sounds and references offered in their iconic and unique style. This 'classic' sound is no more evident than on album opener and first single "Weak In My Knees" - a club hit par excellence : mighty tunes, powerful chorus line, a perfect sing-a-long melody which catches the listener in an instant. The following track "Calling You Out" shows them from their darker, even more aggressive side with straight guitar lines and no compromises, while "She's Dangerous" is yet another dancefloor hit - complete with infectious synth lines, driving rhythms and a permenant hook. "Eternally", "We Never Learn" and "Cynara" are songs that will capture the hearts of their older fans immediately - quiet, almost introspective, slow, thoughtful and eternal. "Be My Friend" presents another powerful club hit while album closers "Pandora's Box" - forms an interlude into the aggressive song "Under The Wire" ( a track that demonstrates perfectly the rockier side of Clan Of Xymox ) and finally "What's Going On" a melodic masterpiece that demands replaying.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Brilliant, April 27, 2006
Clan of Xymox are one of those bands that I have been aware of for many years. I've seen them live a couple of times and enjoyed their music very much. Clan of Xymox provide soundtracks for both the dance floor and at home, offering dance beats for the former and introspective atmospheres for the latter.
I get the strangest urge to wave my hands aloft during "Weak In My Knees". The synthesisers are to the fore, with a touch of Vangelis circa Bladerunner. While much dance music is anonymous, singer Ronny's voice gives the music a human quality. There's some near submerged guitar, which gives the song an edge. "Calling You Out" has the synthetic textures of early Simple Minds. Whether this song is about duels, cricket or something else entirely is not satisfactorily made clear. There's distorted guitar, which keeps things interesting.
"She's Dangerous" abandons the harsh sound for a more strummed-acoustic guitar-led style. There are still electronics in the background - and occasionally in the foreground - but you no longer feel you're been bludgeoned by dance beats. Monks go 'ahhh' in the background, which is a selling point for me.She's Dangerous is I think a salutary tale of the dangers of Internet dating: "I met her on-line. She took a step back. I saw her undress. She's like a goddess..."
With its soaring synthesisers, cyclical bass and filigreed guitar "We Never Learn" sounds like The Cure circa The Head On The Door. Despite its depressing outlook - this song gives "Sinking" a run for its money in ability to drain all hope from you - this song is thrilling. Elsewhere "Be My Friend" sounds spookily like New Order, crossed with the demonic chants of Carmina Burana. In particular the guitars, Ronny's vocal delivery and the simplicity of the lyrics all conjure images of Barney Sumner and friends. "All the gifts you gave to me, it was plain for me to see, that you leave no stone unturned..."
Vintage synths usher in "Cynara". Some flourishes of Classical promise keep things interesting. Meanwhile "Pandora's Box" starts like Dead Can Dance if they'd been regular visitors to Maplins, rather than the World Music Shop on the High Street. With a woman talking seductively and hysterically over the top of the languid synths it's like hearing a French film, though it makes me feel as if I'm missing out on some of the action without the visuals.
We're dancefloor bound for "Under The Wire". I prefer the slower introspective side of the band - but Ronny's charismatic vocals keep the interest rate high despite the repetitive beats. "What's Going On" is another song for the disciples of the glow stick. There's a Gary Numan-esque feel to this track. Ronny plaintively repeats the title of the song, before asking: "Tell me, what went wrong?" Then we're led into an instrumental break worthy of Depeche Mode.
Due the Clan of Xymox's consistency of releasing high quality albums recently it can be tempting to take the band for granted, but who could have predicted when the band emerged in 1984 that they would still be a potent force in 2006?
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