Xerxes

Arcwelder | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 18, 1994)
• Original Release Date: April 19, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Touch & Go Records
• ASIN: B0000019K4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,179 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 'this is not a passing thought', December 27, 2000

By 

Michael Heminger "pantherboy" (Pardeeville, WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Xerxes (Audio CD)

Know that feeling when you're eating breakfast and the sun is screaming in the window and you want to close the curtains but you hesitate, thinking 'Hey - the sun is a warm, enriching thing - I'll leave it open'? Well, that's how Arcwelder can sound at times to me, particularly on the opening cut to "Xerxes" ("Smile") which shimmers with Bill Graber's linear guitar lines. "Passing Thought" showcases the band at its accessible best, with galloping drums and a rolling guitar line that beckons, like a dazzling pied piper, to be followed.

I prefer this album because drummer Scott Macdonald writes more of the songs (even the instrumental romp "Freebird") and has come into a stronger focal point in the band, balancing the vocal duties roughly 50/50 with Bill Graber. "Change" is brilliant, lilting along effortlessly with the vocal lines. Bill's composition "Let Down" strikes a perfect balance between his linear shimmer and a dreamy, floating chorus. "Down To The Wire" showcases the elemental whirl that makes this band so enticing in a live context, and the group composition "Attic" , which constantly threatens an ugly collision, interweaves both Bill and Scott's songwriting strengths AND vocals at their rockin' best.

This album has more grace and a feeling of accomplishment than its excellent forerunner "Pull" and makes for a more consistently enjoyable listen.

3.0 out of 5 stars Still good, still Arcwelder, but..., April 5, 2006

By 

brian5000 (Wisconsin!) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Xerxes (Audio CD)

...but just doesn't have the melodic edge of the earlier stuff. Buy the previous albums before adding this to your collection.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good effort, but don't start here, July 4, 2000

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Xerxes (Audio CD)

With Xerxes, Arcwelder's fourth album, the band is unfortunately beginning to run out of ideas. Some of the songs ("Smile," "Passing Thought") are reminiscent of earlier efforts. Others (particularly "All Mixed Together") trade in Arcwelder's classic power-pop sound for more of a classic rock cliche. However, the album is still quite enjoyable. "Let Down" is one of the best songs they have ever written -- up there with "And Then Again" and "Such a Very Long Time." With the first two albums no longer available, this is well worth buying. But if you're new to the band, start with "Pull."