NUMBER SEVEN

I am of the opinion that we are living in a renascence period for prog music. Last decade and a half produced two genius composers. Although their music is completely different from each other, together they define the diametric boundaries of prog music for our times. Phideaux Xavier holds the post at one end of the spectrum. He is the most successful synthesizer of all musical styles and emotions of the genre to date. Everything he composes has a strong foot firmly planted in the last 40 years of high caliber music with the other foot and arms reaching for the forms of the future.

Number 7 is an absolutely brilliant album. Besides Phideaux, the star of the album is Valerie. Her voice has a unique timber and she has the ability to exploit this gift to its full potential. I would say she defines the sound of this album. Notable contributions flow through every single member of the large ensemble of 10 creative individuals. Although I would like to single out Johnny Unicorn's saxophone work as one of the differentiating sounds between Number 7 and Doomsday afternoon. This album has strong resonances with Tull's Passion Play.

Number 7 will be inevitably compared to Doomsday Afternoon. I rated Doomsday afternoon five stars. The reason Number 7 gets 4.5 instead of 5 is solely due to my personal preferences. The topic and lyrics of Doomsday Afternoon somehow resonated with me more strongly then Number 7. This is simply a personal preference. I invite everyone who thinks they are into progressive music to listen carefully both albums and make their own minds.

Share this PHIDEAUX review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to spleenache
• Report this review (#232066)
• Buy PHIDEAUX music online with PA partners
• Show all PHIDEAUX MP3/Stream
• Go to PHIDEAUX page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Number Seven page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for PHIDEAUX related discussions