Customer Reviews

Breaking Point

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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?

I just got this album and hasn't left my player for days. I just simply loooooveee it! The sequence of the songs is perfectly chosen, it starts of with their single (naturally I would say) , with Calling You Out going slowly into an other mood. It is Clan Of Xymox over and over again , just brilliant soundscapes , atmospheres , gripping vocals, melodic keyboard and guitar lines.The instrumental Pandora's Box is very seductive, Cynara, We Never Learn, Eternally just downright beautiful. Be My Friend is surely their next hit , yes , I am sure. Under The Wire kicks ass , She's Dangerous I simply love and What can I say , I normally do not review bands , but I just want to shout out to the world what an absolute wonderful album this is.For me it is one of their best so far... ( because Ronny always knows how to surprise us over and over)

The long-awaited new attempt of the legends of the dark wave scene after the really strong "Farewell" (2003) is finally reality and all of us can cherish the emotional beauty of Ronny Moorings' dreams, nightmares, desires, sorrows presented in small stories in the shape of inspired compositions. The name of it "Breaking Point" and I think that this specific album is really a "breaking point" for the band simply because it has that flawless feeling "Medusa" (1986) used to evoke to the listener, the feeling that everything that is present is present only for good and nothing more.

Ronny Moorings and Clan Of Xymox seem to offer one of their strongest releases of the last 16 years, along with "Creatures" and "Farewell". The whole album is well-conceived, well-executed, filled with a beautiful and fragile surrounding atmosphere and, above all, the aesthetic that Clan Of Xymox always had, this very special and unique feeling that is present in their compositions throughout the years. The guitar work is one of the best Clan Of Xymox ever had, gothic-rock oriented just like on "Creatures" with the one brilliant guitar idea coming right after the other or having a more accompanying slightly present role, adding another beautiful and floating sense to the compositions.

Clan Of Xymox seem to experiment with electronics more than ever before and all I can say is that the electronic touch of the album is quite successful, lending to it a more "mechanical" sense evoked through the "cold" and "lifeless" aesthetic of the electronic music. The synthesizers are used in a genius way and except for the electro-apparoch they lend to the album in some of its compositions they are always present through the whole duration of the album without forgetting to adorn it with a wailing and touching melancholic atmosphere. The drum machine is used in the most appropriate way, lending groove and pulse to the compositions, in the most ideal way, just like it has to be, and I guess none of you would expect Clan Of Xymox to have problems with the use of the drum machine in the year 2006 since they have been using it for the last 25 years! I think it's needless and pointless to talk about Mourings' vocal interpretation and lyrics, but I'll give it a try. For one more time Ronny offers a fabulous and flawless interpretation, whether he sings with his deep and "cold" accent or sounds more emotional and heart-rending, evoking emotions of solitude, utter melancholy and a feeling as if hope has perished, giving a really special meaning to the poetic and heart-felt lyrics. And this twisted crying female almost-monologue on "Pandora's Box" just leaves you so... empty...

The variety of the album is of course something really positive. You will find the more danceable electro-driven compositions that have the power to become dance-floor favorites, the more gothic rock-oriented ones with the upbeat and groovy feeling and the fragile and serene ones that will definitely make sorrow blossom in the core of the listener's soul. The album flows as one and there's no need for pointless high-light pick ups, the only thing you have to do is press the play button and drown because Clan Of Xymox albums should be embraced as whole experiences and not single parts.

Well, Clan of Xymox is a legendary act of the dark scene and "Breaking Point" is a really mature album, another one, filled with intensity, deep emotions and an atmosphere adorned with roses...

A most wonderful release of Clan Of Xymox . This album pleases me greatly . The tone is directly set with the powerful and energetic opening track `Weak in my knees', after which The Clan manoeuvres between fine uptempo tracks ('She is dangerous', `What is going on', `Under the wire') and haunting electronic goth ballads ('Cynara', `Pandora's box').

"Breaking point" has a tight and clear production and sounds solid as a rock. I have high hopes that the band will experience a large-scale breakthrough one of these days, If there is one album that has that ability, then it's this one.

I enjoyed most of Notes From The Underground, but didnt like Farewell because it was too EBM sounding. Breaking Point is much better and the songs seem to have their own feel. There is more guitar on this album than the last, which is good because Ronny Moorings is a good guitar player. Get this is you liked how Creatures or Medusa sounded. Great cd. Also get Twist Of Shadows!

Recommended

Not to tire anyone with my point of view but I simply want to express how moved I am with this release. I play this album for days non stop and never get enough of it. Thanks for listening to me . If you do not know this album get it and you know what I am talking about.

Finally, the album you've been waiting 16 years for IS HERE!

After waiting years for something resembling the old Clan of Xymox, Ronny has finally produced a CD that recaptures the magic of their first three albums: Clan of Xymox, Medusa and Twist of Shadows. Once you get past the 1st obligatory "goth" track you are immediately transported back to the 1980's and into a world of imaginative synth, vocals and guitars, all blended together in perfect melancholy.

I can't rate this album highly enough. Sure it has some flaws (like the first track, which sounds like yet another Sisters of Mercy rip-off), but songs like Pandora's Box and We Never Learn evoke such melancholy and despair that you can't help but be touched at some deep level and reminded again of what made the original Clan of Xymox band so great.

I truly hope that COX continues to expand on their rediscovered sound for their next album rather than going back to the bland techno-goth drivel that has plagued their last few outtings. Yes, some of songs on their past few CDs have been okay, but nothing as good as this album. This CD keeps growing on me each time I listen and I will catch myself singing along to many of the tracks. To me, that's the sign of good music--it's memorable and actually touches you on some level. This is why I came to love the original Clan of Xymox sound.

If you're a fan of the original Clan of Xymox, buy this album! You WILL NOT be disappointed. Hopefully it will do well enough that COX will continue in the same vein for future releases (fingers crossed).

Not to put down the first two tracks but old Clan of Xymox fans, start with track no. 3 when you buy the album. You will be in for a treat. Tracks 3-8 are definitely old school Clan of Xymox and they will blow you away. It almost sounds like Xymox did the first two tracks and the last two tracks to try to appeal to their new EBM/Synthpop fans but honestly, they really didn't need to do that. Their classic style can stand on its own and my only wish was more tracks like tracks 3-8. Ronny's voice is still amazing and the classic strings are back. I really hope all of the Xymox fans and even non-Xymox fans buy this album to support the group. I am already looking forward to their next album which I hope will be filled with tracks like tracks 3-8. Do yourself a favor and purchase this cd!!!