Phoenix (Clan of Xymox album)

Phoenix is the fourth studio album by Dutch dark wave band Xymox, released in 1991 by Wing Records/PolyGram.[1] It was produced by Peter Walsh. Guitarist Michael Brook guested on the tracks "The Shore Down Under" and "Mark the Days".

Phoenix
Studio album by
Released1991
Genre
Length46:28
LabelWing Records/PolyGram
ProducerPeter Walsh
Xymox chronology
Twist of Shadows
(1989)
Phoenix
(1991)
Metamorphosis
(1992)

The album charted in the United States at No. 163 on the Billboard 200.[2] The single Phoenix of My Heart peaked at No. 16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart,[3] as well as reaching No. 16 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart[3][4] and No. 27 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.[4]

Reception edit

The album was perceived as slicker and more pop-minded than Xymox's previous albums.[1] Gavin Report proclaimed the album "a faultless offering of this clan of musicians we call Xymox".[5] Melody Maker said, "They haven't entirely abandoned seamless, panoramic sweeps that characterized their first couple of releases on 4AD, and they still have a firm emotional grip, but now they work in a less gloomy space. Phoenix is full of surprises".[6]

Track listing edit

Based on:[1][7]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Phoenix of My Heart/Wild Thing outro"Ronny Moorings, Chip Taylor4:11
2."At the End of the Day"R. Moorings3:42
3."The Shore Down Under"Moorings5:15
4."Mark the Days"Moorings6:10
5."Believe Me Sometimes"Anka Wolbert4:54
6."Wonderland"Pieter Nooten4:57
7."Written in the Stars"Moorings5:03
8."Dancing Barefoot"Patti Smith, Ivan Kral3:40
9."Crossing the Water"Nooten3:46
10."Smile Like Heaven"Wolbert4:47

Personnel edit

Xymox
Additional musicians
  • Michael Brook – guitar (3, 4)
  • Gavyn Wright – concert master (5)
  • Nick Ingman – arranger, string arrangements (5)
  • Manny Elias – drums, drum programming
  • Greg Walsh – keyboards, programming
  • Simon Clark – organ, Hammond organ (4)
Producers, engineers
  • Peter Walsh – producer, engineer, mixing (
  • Ronny Moorings – producer (2, 9)
  • Shaun Cymbalisty – engineer
  • Paul Apted – engineer
Graphic design
  • Chris Thompson – package design
  • Kevin Davies – photography

Notes edit

Recorded at Jacobs Studios, Surrey. Mixed at Marcus Studios and Ridge Farm Studio.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Henderson, Alex. Phoenix at AllMusic. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Chart History Phoenix". Billboard. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Chart History Phoenix of my Heart'". Billboard. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Phoenix - Xymox". Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  5. ^ Atwood, Brett D. (March 1991). "Phoenix, Clan of Xymox". Gavin Report.
  6. ^ True, Everett (May 1991). "Review Phoenix". Melody Maker.
  7. ^ "Phoenix Tracklist with Credits". Retrieved 14 December 2011.