Customer Reviews

Phoenix

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Xymox is one of those bands that has shown a lot of creativity in their previous albums and this one seems to take their sound to a level I bet nobody really expected or even imagined. Polygram liked the band, but asked for something more commercial sounding. The band, being pretty much goth, did the best they could and as a result made some of the most intruiging music I have ever heard.

The melodies are very accessible and so is a lot of the music. Many late 80's club fans will get a definite charge out of the music while straight up music fans will appreciate the contemporary feel. The real difference in all this is the singing style that Ronnie and Anke have were still very much post modern. The mix of brooding vocal style and a brighter sounding musical tone give this album a killer feel.

Progressive dance tracks are still here with songs like WRITTEN IN THE STARS and Wonderland. You also get some sweet reflective tracks with PHOENIX OF MY HEART and MARK THE DAYS. Then Anke's lush singing style gives you a whole different feel with SMILE LIKE HEAVEN.

Gothic techno fans will likely not like this album as much as their debut or Twist of Shadows, however those of you who are a little open minded about creative and danceable music, just a little, you will find some great music here.

This CD is one of the best CD's I have ever heard. I am not a die hard XYMOXER. Everything I read about this CD is that it sucks. I am here to tell you that it doesn't. This CD is unexpected almost pop from XYMOX. I think their best effort!!
Incredible.

I'd like to chime in here as well. "Phoenix" is a superb pop-jazz-fusion album, far too joyous for the death-watching crowd that got a stiffy from "Creatures." A beautiful record with wonderful songs. I don't understand why people forced Ronny to go full-on deathwave- CoX always explored deep souls that were quite capable of seeing the beauty in life.

They lost most of their Goth and alternative fans with this one due to it unapologetically pop sound (don't worry, they've since kissed and made up with Clan's rededication to darkness). Hey, Goths like dance, but not when it's this obvious. To be honest it sounds a whole lot like the mid-80's synth band Book of Love, especially when female member Anke sings. But that isn't the most horrible thing in the world; they could've sounded like Bon Jovi or Loverboy. The songs that most have this feel are "Smile Like Heaven", "Written in the Stars" and the Patti Smith cover "Dancing Barefoot". Also cheesy was the lead single "Phoenix of My heart" which does an outtro blending in verses from "Wild Thing".

However the people who throw this disc out entirely are missing soemthing special. "The Shore Down Under" is a slow developing, darkly beautiful piece with a throbbing yet subdued bassline - I know that's hard to imagine but trust me here. That song is on par with anything they'd done previously and reminds me of a more romantic, introspective version of the broody "Craving" from 'Twist of Shadows'. Xymox fans, go dig up this disc or borrow it just to hear this song - it is sadly a lost treasure by this band that you fans are overlooking.

The rest is disappointing by previously set standards, with moments of solid dance pop if that's what you were looking for... obviously existing X fans were not. A strange omission is the wondrous, ether-surfer "Dreamhouse", which was a b-side to one of the lesser singles. It would have been the second best song on the CD, saturated with some of the dreamiest, most meditative music you'll find. Get it if you can - good luck trying.

I loved this when it came out, anyone who thinks it sucks did not give it a chance, buy it and appreciate it. nothing sucks about this cd. from start to finish it is awesome.

I know, (Clan of) Xymox is more of a goth band than a pop band, so it's no surprise that this album didn't fare well with Xymox's primarily gothic fanbase. I first bought this when it was new, and my favorite band was Depeche Mode, and I literally listened to this at least 20 times without hearing anything else.

This songs on this album have an atmospheric quality to them, for me this is one of those albums that takes you places.

I have 4-5 other Xymox releases, and I enjoy them, but none of them come close to this for me. I own a ton of music, most if it synth driven or experimental rock, I am a huge music nerd, and this is still one of my favorite albums of all time.

If all you want is darkness, this isn't for you, but if you crave some melancholy synth-pop, give this a try.

Ah yes the nightmare Ronny Moorings doesn't want to see or hear of again. I can understand - this is dreadful stuff. Well OK I'm being a bit cruel. But the songs sound so tuneless that it's horrible to believe that this is the same band who would make A Day and Your Vice - then again I suppose technically it's not since the band has changed many times. I think this must be the point where Anka moved out and Mojca came in on the next album. But there tends to be a total lack of depth in the music ( I was going to say originality but even at their greatest Xymox were never the most original in terms of music but were enjoyable ).

You probably have to be an utter diehard to enjoy this at all. But then maybe all Xymox fans are a little diehard

Are you kidding me , this is such a hard to fine item, some of the song itself does'nt exist anywhere except on this album. I've had this album on tape when it first came out, yes i said TAPE,accidentaly broke it, been missing it ever sence, until now, gret fine. Now that i'm older, (I think this album came out in the 80's)it does'nt seem to sound as good, but it is still a great fine, if you are into goth music or just somthing different.