Phideaux
The Great Leap
CD. 2006. Art, Prog, Rock.

In 2006, "The Great Leap" was released, the first album in a trilogy on the subject of authoritarian surveillance states and ecological crises called The Eco Terror Tale by Xavier Phideaux. With "The Great Leap", Phideaux returned to simpler song structures. Or, as Phideaux puts it, whatever means easier. The album is also significantly rockier. And still wonderfully melodic, more entertaining, and more punchy. Sounds like a conclusion already, doesn't it?

As always, there is a colorful booklet included. Here, too, you can see all the pages later. I have no complaints about the production. The sound is typically clean for CDs. As always with Phideaux.

"Wake Up"—a guitar is plugged in, and we're woken up with a rockin' blast. A great start. The anthemic "You And Me Against A World Of Pain" follows. A wonderfully fragmented song. Beautifully flowing lyrics. Proggy. "The Waiting" isn't just rock either. It also features little gimmicks, like almost every song. "Abducted" takes us into a dark song, into a dark world. It particularly appeals to the "sociologist" in me. Song 5, "Rainboy," isn't exactly cheerful, but it has more proggy edges in its 6:05 minutes. "Get out of the Rain Boy, the water is rising, you might be washed away." A nod to the Last Generation Movement. "I Was Thinking" is wonderfully atmospheric and folky. A love story? Or surveillance? A quiet beginning, a climax in the middle, and then a calm ending. Entertaining, well-thought-out, and good. "Long And Lonely Way" takes a rockier turn a little past the middle. Here we also hear an electric sitar. In general, Phideaux's band uses all sorts of instruments, such as violin, cello, and trumpet. The lyrics and how they're sung, one of Xavier's strengths, really shine here. "They Hunt You Down" is dirtier, rockier, and darker. "Behind the old and creaking wooden door, they hunt you down." Sounds like 1984. An intense song. "Tannis Root" starts beautifully, with guitar and slow drums. Here, too, there's a palpable energy. "One Star" is also brimming with energy. The rockiest song. Distorted vocals. I simply can't decide which one isn't among my highlights. Because the brilliant ballad "Last" is also one of my highlights. The lyrics are excellent once again. Everything flows together seamlessly.

In conclusion, let me list them. Glam. Prog. Art. Rock. Wave. Folk. Consistently well-thought-out lyrics and music. Exceptionally good musicians. Lyrics and music flow seamlessly together. If this isn't prog, then I need to recalibrate my antennae. Not classic prog, of course. Anyone who appreciates intelligent music should definitely give this a listen.

Phideaux Xavier – Vocals, Electric Sitar, Rhodes, Harp, Bass
Gabriel Moffat – Electric Guitar
Rich Hutchins – Drums, Percussion
Linda Ruttan-Moldawsky – Vocals
Ariel Färber – Vocals, Violin
Valerie Gracious – Vocals
Molly Ruttan – Vocals
Stefanie Fife – Cello
Jo Pusateri – Snare Drum
Scott Brannon – Hammer Dulcimer
Hiker Frostbelt – Flute, Zurna, Recorder
Probyn Gregory – Theremin, Trumpet, div. Horns, Trombone
Arlan Schierbaum – Hammond Organ, Piano, Clavinet, Wurlitzer, Synthesizer, Minnimoog

The trilogy consists of three albums, each getting its own review.

The Great Leap. 2006
Doomsday Afternoon. 2007
Infernal. 2018

Fiendish 2003
Ghost Story 2004
Chupacabras 2005
313 2005
The Great Leap 2006
Doomsday Afternoon 2007
Number Seven 2009
Snowtorch 2011
Infernal 2018
AutoMoto Animus 2026

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.

No AI was used in the making of this Review.
©01.12.2024