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This is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time. Perhaps even my favorite Synthpop release ever. Each song encompasses greatness with sleek, subtle and simple song structures. I could listen to this album over and over again and never get tired of it. Easily my favorite Xymox/Clan of Xymox release.
The band was obviously at a crossroads of transition when this came out, as their previous 2 albums were Gothic Rock and Darkwave. They had always flirted with Synthpop, but never released an album of pure Synthpop. Because they did change styles so drastically, their fanbase was divided. Some of the fans (maybe most) preferred them to stick with the Gothic Rock and Darkwave sound that was so much a part of the scene at the time. Synthpop represented a more 'commercially accessible' sound that some decried as 'selling out'. I however, was and am one of the fans who thought that Clan of Xymox made a genius decision when they made this album. They even changed the name of the band to just 'Xymox' during this period in the late 80s and early 90s. It's arguable that the name change was not necessary, but I can see why they did it. Totally different sound, different name.
The band would morph into a more 'Electronic' outfit after this album, and then finally they would 'repent' of their Electronic and Synthpop ways and return once again to the Gothic Rock and Darkwave goodness that their original fans loved in the mid to late 90s. You see, although this album, "Twist of Shadows" is such a great album - masterpiece really. The band would follow it up with a few albums that just didn't compare. They seemed lost for a bit there. So I am glad they returned to the sound that they started with. However, I still believe that "Twist of Shadows" needed to happen. If for nothing else, to get the idea out of their system and into the studio. Fans of Synthpop will always be thankful for this album, as it stands as one of the best Synthpop releases ever to have been released. If you are a fan of Synthpop and don't have "Twist of Shadows", please do yourself the favor of buying this.
Though the music is pretty much pure Synthpop throughout, there are still some traces of former Clan of Xymox with some of the sounds. There are a few songs that do still resonate with the Darkwave of a few years prior. Also, there is some Post-Punk on here too, in a few songs. So it's a very unique creation. Possibly my favorite Synthpop release of all time (either this or "Violator" by Depeche Mode would hold that honor for me).
Xymox – sometimes known as Clan of Xymox – is one of this writer’s absolute favorite bands, and the 1989 album Twist of Shadows was everything to me. The band had struck a deal with PolyGram’s new subsidiary Wing Records for two albums, and there was even a writeup in Billboard Magazine about it, oddly enough. The album remains the group’s biggest seller and with good reason – it’s solid through and through. Main producer Peter Walsh created an album that wasn’t saddled with that “4AD sound,” but instead gave Xymox a danceable and accessible sound that you could shake your tail feathers to if you wanted, or just sit and take in the moodier pieces.
“Evelyn” starts the album off with its gigantic synth/string intro, a love song with that goth twist with lyrics like, “We walked ‘til the sunlight died.” “Obsession” was the lead single and made a pretty good impression on radio; it includes some of Ronny Moorings’ twistedly visual lyrics like, “It’s just the way it should be / It’s so right as rain / We stayed awake at night / With visions so unreal / We stayed awake at night / with visions so ideal / It’s got a hold on me”. “Blind Hearts” and “A Million Things” had already been included on a 12-inch that proved to be the final release that the band would do for former label 4AD. Here in re-recorded form and definitely not as murky sounding, they meld in perfectly with the other original numbers. “Imagination” proved to be the real surprise as the third single released, sung by bass player Anka Wolbert. It actually charted in the U.S., landing at number 85 on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles and helping the album sell over 300,000 units. Not to be forgotten is the instrumental closer composed by main keyboardist Pieter Nooten, titled “Clementina.” It is a majestic and moving end to an album that has no blemishes.
This superb reissue has gone above and beyond by including five bonus tracks on the 2-LP edition (available in red or black) and 10 for the 2-CD version. Some are making their CD debut like the Club mix for “Blind Hearts,” the B-side track “Shame,” the Dub mix of “Imagination,” and the impossibly rare instrumental B-side (only available on a promotional pressing of the Blind Hearts 12-inch) “Promises.” There are still more, but I don’t want you reading all night, preferring that you find Twist of Shadows for yourself and spend your time listening. You will find it to be so worth it.
Gothic vocals surrounded by synthesizer atmospherics will greet you upon entering the world of Xymox. While Twist of Shadows isn't exactly industrial in its sound, the bpm's run mid-tempo and sound totally danceable in a New Order-ish way. This remastered expanded 2 CD release includes the club hits "Obsession" and "Blind Hearts" and several rare 12" mixes along with several B-sides, some of them on CD for the first. There are total of 10 bonus tracks with a lyrics booklet.
Artwork designed by Vaughan Oliver of 4AD fame and several tracks produced by Tony Visconti, responsible of several David Bowie landmark release. This is the most accessible Xymox album, selling over 300,000 copies and their first on major label. Originally released in 1989.
credits
released January 5, 2021
Artwork [Sleeve Design] – Vaughan Oliver
Engineer [Assistant] – Donal Hodgson, Martyn Heyes
Photography By [Photomicrography] – Richard McMillan
Producer – John A. Rivers (tracks: C3, D3)
Producer [Additional] – Greg Walsh
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Peter Walsh
Written-By – A. Wolbert, B. Barten (tracks: A4, B2, D2), R. Moorings
Phonographic Copyright (p) – UMG Recordings, Inc.
Copyright (c) – UMG Recordings, Inc.
Manufactured By – Universal Music Enterprises
Recorded At – Cobwebs Studio
Recorded At – Jacobs Studios
Recorded At – Ridge Farm Studios
Mixed At – Comforts Place
Designed At – v23
supported by 7 fans who also own “Twist Of Shadows (Deluxe Edition)”
It's uncanny just how good Actors is at emulating that Post-Punk synth sound from my younger days.
Each listen just gets better and better. I feel slightly ashamed for not having heard this album until a few short days ago. modestwriggles