FIENDISH

3.5 stars. The album cover is psychedelic but the pictures in the booklet are quite gothic. In the liner notes it says "Dedicated to my best friend and father, David Nevin Riggs". Also we get these words "Fiendish an excorcism performed by Phideaux". I have to say that this guy can write a song, i'm very impressed with his lyrics on this album.This is a collection of eclectic songs that range from good to very good.

Things get started with "Fragment" a catchy mid paced tune with piano and even some theremin after 3 minutes. "Animal Games" is an interesting song about nature. The guitar 2 minutes in really lights things up.The sound of crickets ends it. "100 MG" is humerous as the answer to our subjects problems in life is always 100 mg. This always takes his problems away. Haha. Cool sounding guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. "100 Coda" is darker with distant sounding vocals. "Hellphone" features strummed guitar which is joined by electric guitar with vocals to follow. Some harpsichord in this one too. Female vocals help out as well. "Little Monster" is one of my two favourites on here.The lyrics are interesting and we get male and female vocals. Some ripping guitar before 3 1/2 minutes. Some spoken words and singing from children on this one too. "Headstones" sounds so good with the acoustic guitar and vocals. Light drums join in followed by some grinding guitar in the background. A special song. "Fiendish" opens with cello, some autoharp takes over before almost whispered vocals come in before 2 minutes. Female vocals arrive as well. "Vultures And Mosquitoes" is all about the lyrics. The acoustic guitar is quite beautiful.

"Soundblast" is my favourite and it's about the Atom Bombs that were dropped on Japan. Fragile vocals to open before a heavier sound arrives before a minute. Higher pitched vocals follow. This is really hair-raising yet tastefully done. The female vocals sing over and over "Evacuate your cities, surrender", as Phideaux sings his words. Then we start to hear another person counting down slowly from 10 to 1 as an emotional guitar solo comes in. Brilliant ! It ends with Phideaux barely singing over and over "I have you to blame for nothing" as it has calmed right down to end the song. This is such a proggy and meaningful song. "Space Brother" is mostly piano and reserved vocals. A sad song.

I like this cd quite a bit, a collection of fairly relaxed tunes that are done very well.