Phideaux
„Number Seven“
Progressive /Psychedelic Rock. CD, Remaster 2010 (2009)

This album begins with the credits of the band that created this magnificent album. Yes, I am a huge fan of all Phideaux albums. Unfortunately, the CDs, not to mention the vinyl versions, are very difficult or exorbitantly expensive to obtain. Nevertheless, my goal remains to review every album. 

The cover depicts a dried-up world, with a lobster on the left and a shrew on the right, wrestling for supremacy. It also features a dormouse escaping a cult called The Great Purpose. My interpretation of this fable: it's about humans fighting each other for supremacy, that history always repeats itself, and that evolution has some other purpose than to "serve" the phase space of possibilities (here: life). In fact, only Xavier Phideaux knows what he's come up with.

I'm actually tempted to introduce each individual song. But I won't, because the album invites you to discover it. I won't mention any "similar" bands or albums either; you'll find any reminiscences. The remaster turns some of the songs here into an entire suite of over 19 minutes called "Waiting For The Axe To Fall." The story is divided into three parts on the CD: One: Dormouse Ensnared, two songs. Two: Dormouse Escapes, five songs. Three: Dormouse Enlightened, three songs. Basically, everything flows into one another. Apart from that, “The Search For Terrestial Life” and “Infinite Supply” are my highlights. There’s not much to say about Phideaux’s range; it’s extensive. Rock, prog, folk, pop, psychedelic, multiple vocals, a variety of instruments and musicians. Does that remind you of Gentle Giant (so there is a comparison here after all)? Certainly, because for all their complexity, Phideaux is more melodic, more stringent, and more accessible.

So who is Number Seven for? First and foremost, lovers of melodic prog music. Light tinkering included. Fans of psychedelia won't be left out. But even those with a musical curiosity will always find something they like. Technically, we're on Porcupine Tree's level, and musically, too. Grab it.

Fiendish 2003
Ghost Story 2004
Chupacabras 2005
313 2005
The Great Leap 2006
Doomsday Afternoon 2007
Number Seven 2009
Snowtorch 2011
Infernal 2018

The photos are all from my CD. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.