Search - Xymox :: Phoenix

Goth-Pop.... can you believe it?

SRFireside | Houston, TX United States | 10/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Departure for Xymox but Not as Bad as You've Been Told

SandmanVI | Glen Allen, VA United States | 02/19/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

An awesome cd.

R. Nolting | Colorado | 04/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."