PHOBOS

Despite the warning, something made me go ahead and purchase it from the $3 used rack. This was after the abomination that was Negatron, knowing that the line-up had not changed. Well, I'll be honest. The key selling point was the 21st Century Schizoid Man cover. Having heard them cover 2 Pink Floyd tracks that I didnt really care all that much for as originals, I figured the chance of hearing what Piggy could do with a true prog anthem was worth the $3. I was not disappointed.

I cannot put my finger on it. Either it was the overall music structure that made Eric Forrest's vocals more tolerable on Phobos, or perhaps he settled in and chemistry improved. Pound for pound, his vocals are really no different. There appears to be a slightly different approach to recording him than on Negatron. That is, he appears to be mixed thin. Most of the time he sounds like he is singing through a transistor radio. And...it works! Consider communication on any moon in our solar system, such as is Phobos. Likely to be radio communication, right?

Where Negatron was just an amorphis, chunky pile of metal, Phobos actually moves in different directions in an allusory manner. And the ubiquitous sci-fi themes now have symbiosis with the music. The recording lacks clarity for sure, but it is largely made up for by the interesting song structures and ominous textures. And the drums no longer have the clicky bass.

Finally, we arrive at the coup de grace, the cover of 21st Century Schizoid Man . I have heard complaints that Voivod does nothing innovative with the song. Well, sometimes you just play the song, you play it well, and that is enough. And Voivod does, very well. Not a streamlined, watered-down radio edit. They rock it. And if that was ever a time that Eric Forrest's vocals shined, it was on this cover. This is an album that I rather enjoy. I understand that it does not carry the sound quality that would keep many listeners happy, and while I find Eric Forrest's voice to work much better with this album, it would likely still annoy others to no end. Therefore, 3 stars. Good, but if you think it sucks, I understand.

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