Medusa (Clan of Xymox album)
Encyclopedia
Medusa is Clan of Xymox
's second release on the 4AD
label (CAD 613, CAD613CD, GAD613CD) in 1986. The album was mixed and produced by John Fryer
at Blackwing Studios
, London. John Fryer had produced Clan of Xymox
's (prior Medusa) EPs A Day, and Stranger, taken from their debut album. Fryer was known for his work with seminal bands on the 4AD
, Mute
, Rough Trade
and Beggars Banquet
record labels, including Depeche Mode
, Fad Gadget
and the Cocteau Twins
.
Clan of Xymox
's final 4AD EP, Blind Hearts, created a buzz in the clubs and the arthouse scene.. These EP club mixes were later modified and released as album tracks on the follow-up album Twist of Shadows
.
Medusa was seen as probably the group's career high point. Sounds Magazine
described Medusa as an "overriding achievement... every track sounds like the finale to a brooding epic overture" and "at their flimsiest they sound like Visage
; when they're good they blend Kraftwerk
with Joy Division
; in their prime passages they brush with a sexy breathlessness... that is pure, poignant, unadulterated Xymox".
"Sleek, efficient, even dramatic, Xymox understand the value of a direct understatement… a bright flash of hope in these blackout days" (Melody Maker).
Producers, Engineers
Graphic Design
Clan of Xymox
The band Clan of Xymox, also known as Xymox, formed in the Netherlands in 1981. Clan Of Xymox featured a trio of songwriters - Pieter Nooten, Ronny Moorings and Anke [also Anka] Wolbert - and gained success in the 1980s, releasing their first two albums on a prestigious independent UK label, a...
's second release on the 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
label (CAD 613, CAD613CD, GAD613CD) in 1986. The album was mixed and produced by John Fryer
John Fryer (music)
John Fryer is an English record producer. Best known for his production work, he also branched out as a musician as one of only two constant members of This Mortal Coil , providing keyboards, strings and synthesizer sequencing for the band, and its offshoot, The Hope Blister.- Career :Starting out...
at Blackwing Studios
Blackwing Studios
Blackwing Studios was an English recording studio, most notable for early Depeche Mode and Yazoo recordings in the early 1980s.-Background:The Blackwing Studios complex was housed inside a deconsecrated church in South-East London. All Hallows church was partly destroyed during The Blitz in 1941...
, London. John Fryer had produced Clan of Xymox
Clan of Xymox
The band Clan of Xymox, also known as Xymox, formed in the Netherlands in 1981. Clan Of Xymox featured a trio of songwriters - Pieter Nooten, Ronny Moorings and Anke [also Anka] Wolbert - and gained success in the 1980s, releasing their first two albums on a prestigious independent UK label, a...
's (prior Medusa) EPs A Day, and Stranger, taken from their debut album. Fryer was known for his work with seminal bands on the 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
, Mute
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
, Rough Trade
Rough Trade (band)
Rough Trade was a Canadian new wave rock band in the 1970s and 1980s, centred on singer Carole Pope and multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples. The band was noted for their provocative lyrics and stage antics; singer Pope often performed in bondage attire, and their 1981 hit "High School...
and Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet
- Personnel :The Rolling Stones* Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica on "Parachute Woman"* Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar on "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man", backing vocals, lead vocals on opening of "Salt of the Earth"* Brian...
record labels, including Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, Fad Gadget
Fad Gadget
Fad Gadget is the stage name of Francis John Tovey , a British avant-garde electronic musician and vocalist. He was a proponent of both New Wave and early Industrial music....
and the Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
.
Clan of Xymox
Clan of Xymox
The band Clan of Xymox, also known as Xymox, formed in the Netherlands in 1981. Clan Of Xymox featured a trio of songwriters - Pieter Nooten, Ronny Moorings and Anke [also Anka] Wolbert - and gained success in the 1980s, releasing their first two albums on a prestigious independent UK label, a...
's final 4AD EP, Blind Hearts, created a buzz in the clubs and the arthouse scene.. These EP club mixes were later modified and released as album tracks on the follow-up album Twist of Shadows
Twist of Shadows
Twist of Shadows is Xymox's third full-length album, released in 1989 on Wing Records and produced by ....
.
Medusa was seen as probably the group's career high point. Sounds Magazine
Sounds (magazine)
Sounds was a long-term British music paper, published weekly from 10 October 1970 – 6 April 1991. It was produced by Spotlight Publications , which was set up by Jack Hutton and Peter Wilkinson, who left "Melody Maker" to start their own company...
described Medusa as an "overriding achievement... every track sounds like the finale to a brooding epic overture" and "at their flimsiest they sound like Visage
Visage
Visage are a British New Wave rock band. Formed in 1978, the band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement of the early 1980s, and are best known for their 1980 hit "Fade to Grey".-New Wave years :...
; when they're good they blend Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
with Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
; in their prime passages they brush with a sexy breathlessness... that is pure, poignant, unadulterated Xymox".
"Sleek, efficient, even dramatic, Xymox understand the value of a direct understatement… a bright flash of hope in these blackout days" (Melody Maker).
Track listing
Personnel
Clan of Xymox- Ronny Moorings – Vocals, Lyrics, Guitar, Keyboards
- Anka Wolbert – Vocals, Lyrics, Keyboards, Bass
- Pieter Nooten – Vocals, Lyrics, Keyboards
Producers, Engineers
- John FryerJohn Fryer (music)John Fryer is an English record producer. Best known for his production work, he also branched out as a musician as one of only two constant members of This Mortal Coil , providing keyboards, strings and synthesizer sequencing for the band, and its offshoot, The Hope Blister.- Career :Starting out...
– Producer, Engineer - Keith Mitchell – Engineer
Graphic Design
- Vaughan OliverVaughan OliverVaughan Oliver is a British graphic designer based in Epsom, South of London. Oliver is most noted for his work with graphic design studios 23 Envelope and v23...
– Graphic Design - Nigel Grierson – Photography