STRANGE CLOUD

In eager anticipation of the release of Snowtorch, I've decided to whet my appetite for more Phideaux. So, I've picked the remains from the now defunct 7 ' project. The most recent of which is Strange Cloud. It is comprised of a single track clocking in at seven and a half minutes. I suspect the choice of length might have been purposeful.

Musically it feels like it draws a bit from the band's earlier work as well as from its full length predecessor. Like the contents Great Leap and Ghost Story it has an overall harder and more rock oriented feel. However the music is richer and more layered likely owing to its close association with Number 7. Strange Cloud certainly features a larger group of musicians with a more diverse selection of instruments at their command than at least Ghost Story certainly did.

Overall, I like Strange Cloud. It's good but not great. If you like Phideaux then I think it is in your best interest to go out and pick it up. It might also make a fairly apt introduction to the style of the band, but I would highly suggest starting with an earlier full length album like Ghost Story or Chupacabras instead. So 3 out of 5 stars.