- Medusa (Clan of Xymox album)
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Medusa 
Studio album by Clan of Xymox Released 1 November 1986 Genre Darkwave Length 42:18 Label 4AD Producer Clan of Xymox & John Fryer Clan of Xymox chronology Clan of Xymox
(1985)Medusa
(1986)Twist of Shadows
(1989)Medusa is Clan of Xymox's second release on the 4AD label (CAD 613, CAD613CD, GAD613CD) in 1986.[1] 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.[2]. 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.[1] 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".[3]
"Sleek, efficient, even dramatic, Xymox understand the value of a direct understatement… a bright flash of hope in these blackout days" (Melody Maker).[4]
Track listing
No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Theme I" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 2:54 2. "Medusa" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 5:53 3. "Michelle" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 2:59 4. "Theme II" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 1:43 5. "Louise" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 5:17 6. "Lorretine" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 3:33 7. "Agonised By Love" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 5:18 8. "Masquerade" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 3:54 9. "After the Call" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 5:55 10. "Back Door" R. Moorings, P. Nooten, A. Wolbert 4:52 Personnel
- Clan of Xymox
- Ronny Moorings – Vocals, Lyrics, Guitar, Keyboards
- Anka Wolbert – Vocals, Lyrics, Keyboards, Bass
- Pieter Nooten – Vocals, Lyrics, Keyboards
- Producers, Engineers
- John Fryer – Producer, Engineer
- Keith Mitchell – Engineer
- Graphic Design
- Vaughan Oliver – Graphic Design
- Nigel Grierson – Photography
References
- ^ a b Mason, Stuart. Medusa (Clan of Xymox album) at Allmusic. Retrieved 31July 2011.
- ^ "Clan of Xymox". 4AD. http://www.4ad.com/artists/clanofxymox. Retrieved 2 Aug 2011.
- ^ Swift, Harry (Nov 1986). "Medusa, Clan of Xymox". Sounds Magazine.
- ^ Mathur, Paul (Jan 1987). "Review: Medusa". Melody Maker.
Categories:- 1986 albums
- Darkwave albums
- 4AD albums
- Albums produced by John Fryer
- Clan of Xymox albums
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