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Review:
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Americans Phideaux led by mastermind and keys player
Phideaux Xavier have been a top prog band and critics favourite
for 8 years, and this is their eighth album, he is most
certainly productive. Their music is classic early Genesis,
ELP, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Supertramp, Camel, Renaissance
symphonic prog with a distinct English pastoral flavour.
Joining Phideaux on vocals are ladies Ariel Faber, Valerie
Gracious, and the Ruttan sisters Linda and Molly. This is
very easy album to listen to, although the two main Snowtorch
songs are very long (19 and 16 minutes), they are very well
put together as they shift through the various parts, and
it is all so familiar, like a montage medley of your favourite
early 70's prog. This is an album that could have been released
at any time in the last 40 odd years, with loads of vintage
keyboards, fuzzy guitars, flute and violin. This has caused
a slight difference of opinion, I believe prog means progressive
not regressive, and that something new or different should
be done with your sources, but my 70's prog fan friend loves
the way Phideaux rekindles the spirit of the 70's masters,
they are nearly all dormant so he's more than grateful that
someone is still carrying the torch. This in no way decries
or demeans the standard of music on offer here which is
exemplary. I particularly like their playfulness, with song
titles that stir fond memories of Caravan silliness such
as 'Blowtorch Snowjob' and the final brief epilogue which
you could merrily morris dance to. They also released a
couple of singles last year, available separately, which
I have used to bulk up this short album by prog standards
(further releases are planned), 'Strange Cloud' which for
some strange reason reminds me of that other very retro
band Oasis, and the ripping good rocker 'Tempest of Mutiny'
which was a collaboration with Rich Mouser and Ann Burstyn
from Dream Aria that was intended as a graphic novel tie-in
about Pirates, telling the tale of Captain Jack Rackham
and Anne Bonny. The nub of the matter is that if you love
classic 70's prog, then you already be heading to their
website http://www.bloodfish.com/home.htm
, a vintage 8.5 out of 10.
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