PHIDEAUX & MOGON PROMOTIONAL ISSUE

OK, since this is available (at the time of writing this) as a free download from phideaux.bandcamp.com (it says name your price and allows zero, but please consider pitching in a few bucks to help with the next album), you have no reason not to have this in your collection.

If the price isn't enough, this is a really great release to have. Some of the tracks are available elsewhere, and some are live versions, but I can't get this out of my player. It stands on its own as an outstanding listen.

If you're not familiar with Phideaux, check out some reviews of the individual albums for more. I will say that this collection mostly emphasizes the more symphonic side of Phideaux, except for the two Mogon tracks, which are more neo-psychadelic, and highlights the great song writing and ensemble playing that I love about Phideaux (the two female vocalists are awesome).

There is an alternate mix of Thank You for the Evil from Doomsday Afternoon. The mix is different and I think there are some new and alternate parts not on the album version, so this is very cool.

It includes Tempest of Mutiny and Strange Cloud which were previously available as single track releases. Both I think are improved masters - Phideaux told me in an email they had "found a more harmonious way to mix." I think they sound clearer and better.

There is a nice live version of Out of the Angry Planet. I believe this, plus Tempest and Strange Cloud are slated for the next full-length album release.

For me, the highlight is the amazingly incredible (can you tell I like it?) 21 minute live version of Chupacabras. This is a bit different from the album version - different opening, and you can tell the arrangement has been refined as they've played it over the years. If you are a Phideaux fan, you must have this one track alone!

There are two tracks from the Mogon project. Snuff is pretty cool, more of an 11 minute neo-psychadelic-symphonic romp, and even has a trumpet solo on it. The Chairs doesn't do a lot for me, very stripped-down and repetitive, and doesn't really go anywhere, although I'll cut it some slack for all the mellotrons.

And finally, there is an eighth track, not listed in any catalog entries or on the cover art, but the file is there in the download. It's called The Wind Never Dies and is a nice quiet emotional piece, all piano and solo vocal. Not sure where this is from.

Oh, and for mellotron fans, you will find lots and lots of tasty bits of mellotron throughout all the tracks.

It's hard to give a promo collection a masterpiece rating, but this is such a great collection, especially the live Chupacabras, that it's very tempting. Let's say 4.5, just barely rounded down to 4 stars, but you'd be crazy not to go get this immediately.