CHUPACABRAS

The layout of the album kind of reminds me of 2112. A long suite followed by several shorter tracks. Also like 2112, the suite totally steals the show. The track Chupacabras is flowing and dark. The instrumentation is superbe. I particularly enjoy the piano which runs through its course and the points where acoustic guitar takes the lead. The vocals on the Chupacabras, and for Phideaux in general are top notch too. The female singing is spacey and soft and the male is harsher and slightly plaintive. It's a unique sound. For the record I sort of consider Okay to be just another part of the epic. It feels like a good launching point for album.

Other than Chupacabras, the instrumental Fortress of Sand and Titan stand out for me. They are both textural pieces. They are sombre especially when place beside the grandeur of Chupacabras.

The Party is much pop-ier (relatively) than the rest of the album. It's kind of quirky and fun, but not really why I get into this album. The multi-part Ruffian on the Stairs is not my cup of tea sadly. It clashes with Fortress of Sand and Titan which book end it and just isn't up to standard that the rest of the album sets. Its abrasive enough to keep me from giving Chupacabras the five stars which the suite richly deserves.

Don't be deterred by Ruffian though, it's only ten minutes of an otherwise spectacular fifty or so minutes. I highly recommend this album. (As if that means anything to anyone but me. Hah!)

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