A música progressiva é um gênero conhecido por sua complexidade e pela capacidade de criar atmosferas únicas e imersivas, onde por meio de Number Seven, a Phideaux fornece um excelente exemplo de como essa tradição pode ser mantida e inovada. Este álbum conceitual é uma verdadeira obra de arte que oferece uma experiência auditiva rica e multifacetada, onde cada audição revela novos detalhes e nuances. Grosso modo, o personagem, "Dormouse", parece enfrentar desafios internos e externos em um mundo distópico ou pós-apocalíptico, enquanto passa por estágios de desespero, aceitação e finalmente uma espécie de despertar ou iluminação.
O álbum é dividido em três suítes, cada uma com seu próprio caráter e narrativa, mas todas conectadas por uma história central que se desenrola através de metáforas e simbolismos. A capa do disco, que ilustra uma luta entre um arganaz e um lagostim, já indica a natureza alegórica do trabalho, representando forças opostas em conflito.
A primeira suíte, "Dormouse Ensnared", começa com "Dormouse - A Theme", uma introdução acústica que apesar das influências de bandas como Genesis e Pink Floyd, mantém uma originalidade própria e um toque medieval. Essa introdução prepara o terreno para "Waiting For The Axe To Fall", uma faixa vibrante e poderosa que combina piano e coros inspirados em Pink Floyd com vocais oníricos, criando uma atmosfera densa e envolvente.
"Hive Mind" é uma faixa de transição que se destaca pelo uso brilhante e preciso de diferentes teclados, com inspirações na música barroca. A segunda metade da faixa é marcada por mudanças extremas e passagens poderosas, exemplificando o melhor do rock progressivo. "The Claws Of A Crayfish" continua a explorar temas de drama e melancolia, com uma orquestração impressionante e o uso inspirador do moog. "My Sleeping Slave" encerra a primeira suíte com uma atmosfera delicada e dramática, combinando piano e moog com vocais influenciados por Pink Floyd.
A segunda suíte, "Dormouse Escapes", é introduzida por "Darkness At Noon", uma faixa com influência folk que flui suavemente até "Prequiem", que se destaca pelos lindíssimos teclados e guitarras elétricas influenciadas por David Gilmour. "Gift of the Flame" mantém a atmosfera onírica, acrescentando um saxofone que traz uma sensação jazzística à música, seguida por uma mudança repentina para uma atmosfera mais alegre com vocais femininos. "Interview With A Dormouse" e "Thermonuclear Cheese" exploram temas medievais e eletrônicos, enquanto "The Search For Terrestrial Life" introduz elementos de new age e música celta. "A Fistful Of Fortitude" fecha a suíte com um clima nostálgico que se transforma em algo mais alegre e melódico.
A terceira suíte, "Dormouse Enlightened", começa com "Love Theme From Number Seven", uma faixa intrigante com um solo de piano encantador, seguido por um canto feminino e uma guitarra distorcida que conduz a música por instantes, antes de retornar ao piano para uma passagem frenética. "Storia Senti" continua sem interrupção, com um piano sentimental e vocais poderosos, evoluindo para uma passagem mais rock. "Infinite Supply" evoca os primeiros álbuns do Alan Parsons Project, com pianos maravilhosos e vocais lindos, enquanto "Dormouse - An End" fecha o álbum de maneira acústica e bem elaborada, sem muita pompa, mas com a certeza de que um verdadeiro espetáculo musical foi entregue.
Number Seven é um álbum que mostra a capacidade da banda de homenagear suas influências sem se tornar um clone delas. É um trabalho que exala personalidade, seriedade e alma, organizado de maneira especial e perfeccionista, evitando cair em clichês. Fácil de ouvir, mas extremamente difícil de descrever, é um disco que deve ser explorado com atenção e repetidas audições para ser plenamente apreciado.
================================Progressive rock is a genre known for its complexity and its ability to create unique and immersive atmospheres. With Number Seven, Phideaux provides an excellent example of how this tradition can be maintained and innovated. This concept album is a true work of art that offers a rich and multifaceted listening experience, where each listen reveals new details and nuances. Essentially, the character "Dormouse" seems to face internal and external challenges in a dystopian or post-apocalyptic world, undergoing stages of despair, acceptance, and finally a sort of awakening or enlightenment.
The album is divided into three suites, each with its own character and narrative, but all connected by a central story that unfolds through metaphors and symbolism. The album cover, illustrating a struggle between a dormouse and a crayfish, already suggests the allegorical nature of the work, representing opposing forces in conflict.
The first suite, "Dormouse Ensnared," begins with "Dormouse - A Theme," an acoustic introduction that, despite influences from bands like Genesis and Pink Floyd, maintains its own originality and a medieval touch. This introduction sets the stage for "Waiting For The Axe To Fall," a vibrant and powerful track that combines piano and Pink Floyd-inspired choirs with dreamlike vocals, creating a dense and immersive atmosphere.
"Hive Mind" is a transitional track that stands out for its brilliant and precise use of various keyboards, with inspirations from baroque music. The latter half of the track is marked by extreme changes and powerful passages, exemplifying the best of progressive rock. "The Claws Of A Crayfish" continues to explore themes of drama and melancholy, with impressive orchestration and the inspiring use of the moog. "My Sleeping Slave" concludes the first suite with a delicate and dramatic atmosphere, combining piano and moog with Pink Floyd-influenced vocals.
The second suite, "Dormouse Escapes," is introduced by "Darkness At Noon," a folk-influenced track that smoothly transitions into "Prequiem," which stands out for its beautiful keyboards and David Gilmour-inspired electric guitars. "Gift of the Flame" maintains the dreamlike atmosphere, adding a saxophone that brings a jazz-like feel to the music, followed by a sudden shift to a more cheerful atmosphere with female vocals. "Interview With A Dormouse" and "Thermonuclear Cheese" explore medieval and electronic themes, while "The Search For Terrestrial Life" introduces elements of new age and Celtic music. "A Fistful Of Fortitude" closes the suite with a nostalgic mood that transforms into something more cheerful and melodic.
The third suite, "Dormouse Enlightened," begins with "Love Theme From Number Seven," an intriguing track with a charming piano solo, followed by female vocals and a distorted guitar that drives the music for a moment, before returning to the piano for a frantic passage. "Storia Senti" continues seamlessly, with sentimental piano and powerful vocals, evolving into a more rock-oriented passage. "Infinite Supply" evokes the early albums of the Alan Parsons Project, with wonderful pianos and beautiful vocals, while "Dormouse - An End" closes the album in an acoustic and well-crafted manner, without much pomp but with the assurance that a true musical spectacle has been delivered.
Number Seven is an album that demonstrates the band's ability to pay homage to their influences without becoming clones of them. It is a work that exudes personality, seriousness, and soul, organized in a special and meticulous way, avoiding clichés. Easy to listen to, yet extremely difficult to describe, it is a record that should be explored with attention and repeated listens to be fully appreciated.
NOTA: 9.5/10
Tracks Listing
- ONE: DORMOUSE ENSNARED
1. Dormouse - A Theme (1:05)
2. Waiting for the Axe to Fall (6:12)
3. Hive Mind (4:00)
4. The Claws of a Crayfish (5:40)
5. My Sleeping Slave (3:27)
- TWO: DORMOUSE ESCAPES
6. Darkness at Noon (1:50)
7. Prequiem (2:10)
8. Gift of the Flame (6:10)
9. Interview with a Dormouse (1:10)
10. Thermonuclear Cheese (2:10)
11. The Search for Terrestrial Life (5:30)
12. A Fistful of Fortitude (2:44)
- THREE: DORMOUSE ENLIGHTENED
13. Love Theme from "Number Seven" (7:30)
14. Storia Senti (6:50)
15. Infinite Supply (5:05)
16. Dormouse - An End (2:00)
Ouça, "Waiting for the Axe to Fall"
Progressive rock is a genre known for its complexity and its ability to create unique and immersive atmospheres. With Number Seven, Phideaux provides an excellent example of how this tradition can be maintained and innovated. This concept album is a true work of art that offers a rich and multifaceted listening experience, where each listen reveals new details and nuances. Essentially, the character "Dormouse" seems to face internal and external challenges in a dystopian or post-apocalyptic world, undergoing stages of despair, acceptance, and finally a sort of awakening or enlightenment.
The album is divided into three suites, each with its own character and narrative, but all connected by a central story that unfolds through metaphors and symbolism. The album cover, illustrating a struggle between a dormouse and a crayfish, already suggests the allegorical nature of the work, representing opposing forces in conflict.
The first suite, "Dormouse Ensnared," begins with "Dormouse - A Theme," an acoustic introduction that, despite influences from bands like Genesis and Pink Floyd, maintains its own originality and a medieval touch. This introduction sets the stage for "Waiting For The Axe To Fall," a vibrant and powerful track that combines piano and Pink Floyd-inspired choirs with dreamlike vocals, creating a dense and immersive atmosphere.
"Hive Mind" is a transitional track that stands out for its brilliant and precise use of various keyboards, with inspirations from baroque music. The latter half of the track is marked by extreme changes and powerful passages, exemplifying the best of progressive rock. "The Claws Of A Crayfish" continues to explore themes of drama and melancholy, with impressive orchestration and the inspiring use of the moog. "My Sleeping Slave" concludes the first suite with a delicate and dramatic atmosphere, combining piano and moog with Pink Floyd-influenced vocals.
The second suite, "Dormouse Escapes," is introduced by "Darkness At Noon," a folk-influenced track that smoothly transitions into "Prequiem," which stands out for its beautiful keyboards and David Gilmour-inspired electric guitars. "Gift of the Flame" maintains the dreamlike atmosphere, adding a saxophone that brings a jazz-like feel to the music, followed by a sudden shift to a more cheerful atmosphere with female vocals. "Interview With A Dormouse" and "Thermonuclear Cheese" explore medieval and electronic themes, while "The Search For Terrestrial Life" introduces elements of new age and Celtic music. "A Fistful Of Fortitude" closes the suite with a nostalgic mood that transforms into something more cheerful and melodic.
The third suite, "Dormouse Enlightened," begins with "Love Theme From Number Seven," an intriguing track with a charming piano solo, followed by female vocals and a distorted guitar that drives the music for a moment, before returning to the piano for a frantic passage. "Storia Senti" continues seamlessly, with sentimental piano and powerful vocals, evolving into a more rock-oriented passage. "Infinite Supply" evokes the early albums of the Alan Parsons Project, with wonderful pianos and beautiful vocals, while "Dormouse - An End" closes the album in an acoustic and well-crafted manner, without much pomp but with the assurance that a true musical spectacle has been delivered.
Number Seven is an album that demonstrates the band's ability to pay homage to their influences without becoming clones of them. It is a work that exudes personality, seriousness, and soul, organized in a special and meticulous way, avoiding clichés. Easy to listen to, yet extremely difficult to describe, it is a record that should be explored with attention and repeated listens to be fully appreciated.
NOTA: 9.5/10
Tracks Listing
- ONE: DORMOUSE ENSNARED
1. Dormouse - A Theme (1:05)
2. Waiting for the Axe to Fall (6:12)
3. Hive Mind (4:00)
4. The Claws of a Crayfish (5:40)
5. My Sleeping Slave (3:27)
- TWO: DORMOUSE ESCAPES
6. Darkness at Noon (1:50)
7. Prequiem (2:10)
8. Gift of the Flame (6:10)
9. Interview with a Dormouse (1:10)
10. Thermonuclear Cheese (2:10)
11. The Search for Terrestrial Life (5:30)
12. A Fistful of Fortitude (2:44)
- THREE: DORMOUSE ENLIGHTENED
13. Love Theme from "Number Seven" (7:30)
14. Storia Senti (6:50)
15. Infinite Supply (5:05)
16. Dormouse - An End (2:00)
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