Phoenix (Clan of Xymox album)
Encyclopedia
Phoenix is Xymox's fourth full-length album, released in 1991 on Wing Records (PolyGram)
and produced by Peter Walsh (acclaimed producer of Simple Minds
's New Gold Dream album).
The album charted in the United States at No. 163 on Billboard 200
.
The single Phoenix of my Heart peaked at No. 16 on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play Singles (also known as Hot Dance Club Songs Chart), as well as reaching No. 16 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks. The single reached No. 27 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales.
proclaimed the album "a faultless offering of this clan of musicians we call Xymox". The Melody Maker
observed in their review of the album that "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".
Additional musicians
Producers, Engineers
Graphic Design
Wing Records
Wing Records was a record label subsidiary of Mercury Records, founded in 1955, that enjoyed its greatest success during the late 50s. In 1986, the label was revived by Mercury's parent company PolyGram and, just before its final fade, the label enjoyed a brief success with then new R&B singers...
and produced by Peter Walsh (acclaimed producer of Simple Minds
Simple Minds
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band who achieved worldwide popularity from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The band produced a handful of critically acclaimed albums in the early 1980s and best known for their #1 US, Canada and Netherlands hit single "Don't You ", from the soundtrack of the...
's New Gold Dream album).
The album charted in the United States at No. 163 on Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
The single Phoenix of my Heart peaked at No. 16 on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play Singles (also known as Hot Dance Club Songs Chart), as well as reaching No. 16 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks. The single reached No. 27 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales.
Reception
The album was perceived as slicker and more pop-minded than Xymox's previous albums. Gavin ReportGavin Report
The Gavin Report was a San Francisco-based radio industry trade publication. The publication was founded by radio performer Bill Gavin in 1958. Its Top 40 listings were used for many years by programmers to decide content of programs...
proclaimed the album "a faultless offering of this clan of musicians we call Xymox". The Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
observed in their review of the album that "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".
Track listing
Personnel
Xymox- Ronny Moorings – Vocals, Lyrics, Guitar, Keyboards
- Anka Wolbert – Vocals, Lyrics, Keyboards, Bass
- Pieter Nooten – Keyboards
Additional musicians
- Michael BrookMichael BrookMichael Brook is a Canadian guitarist, inventor, producer, and film music composer. He plays in many genres, including rock, electronica, world music, minimalism and film scores....
– Guitar (Track 03 and 04) - Gavyn WrightGavyn WrightGavyn Wright is a British violinist and orchestra leader with the London Session Orchestra and Penguin Cafe Orchestra, best known for his orchestral arrangements on pop productions as well as numerous TV and movie soundtracks Gavyn Wright is a British violinist and orchestra leader with the London...
– Concert Master (Track 05) - Nick IngmanNick IngmanNicholas Ingman is an orchestra conductor and composer.Early recordings include:*'Big Beat' *'The Love Album' *'Terminator'...
– Arranger, String Arrangements (Track 05) - Manny EliasManny EliasManny Elias is an English drummer, notable for being the original drummer with Tears for Fears during the 1980s.Originally a member of the rock band Interview from Bath, Somerset. Elias began working with Tears For Fears in 1982 and drummed on the albums The Hurting and Songs From The Big Chair,...
– Drums, Drum Programming - Greg Walsh – Keyboards, Programming
- Simon Clark – Organ, Organ (Hammond) (Track 04)
Producers, Engineers
- Peter Walsh – Producer, Engineer, Mixing (All Tracks)
- Ronny Moorings – Producer (Track 02 and 09)
- Shaun Cymbalisty – Engineer
- Paul Apted – Engineer
Graphic Design
- Chris Thompson – Package Design
- Kevin Davies – B&W Photography