METAMORPHOSIS

This (so far) latest release by Magenta isn't really a generally accepted great work looking at the present rating of 3,57. And that's strange because I consider it their best effort albeit that I still have to check out Home. Revolutions is also a strong release in my opinion whereas "Seven" I was at least a bit ambivalent about as it is their supposed (near) masterpiece and generally considered magnum opus by most. It just shows that there is no general truth about a piece of art (which I consider most prog records). I do notice by the way that more neo minded reviewers really do appreciate this album and those who are usually more into other subgenres rate it lower. So there you go, it's probably the analysis for this unevenness. You have to be a neo/symph fan for this band and album to appreciate it.

Anyway, about Metamorphosis now: It's an album with four songs: two large epics, a very short song and a medium length one. First epic (The Ballad of Samuel Layne) offers all an epic can offer me: great composition, variation, nice instrumental bits and cohesion as well. No critics ? Actually no, it's terrific according to me though it's not the very best I ever heard but that has to be taken literally. (I'm an epic collector so I have an enormous list of comparable efforts and then this one scores almost towards the very highest league I can think of). The following statement will tell you enough probably: when I thought the epic was halfway when I recently listened it was already near the end so then you might say: time flies when you're having fun. 4,5*.

Next is the short Prekestolen a nice folky tune thanks to the uilleann pipes by Troy Donockley. It's the sort of song Reed also produced on his Creeping Vine album in his Cyan period. It works very nice is great for the variation. 3,25*.

Third is the title track, second epic and longest song on the album. Same as the opener also this one is pretty energetic and far from boring. Maybe the composition is even slightly better though overall the score for this one will be the same. Robert Reed has surpassed himself once again here. Christina does a much better performance on this album than on Seven where I found her slightly annoying at certain points also due to poor lyrics. On this song (and entire album by the way) I'm not annoyed or disappointed by any means. It's another great track and like I said another 4,5*.

Blind Faith is the closing track clocking about 6 minutes and is no match for the two epics. It more or less goes on in the same style but it's simply too short to reach the same impressive level. Good song nevertheless with some surprisingly heavy guitar. 3,75*.

I respect others opinions but I have no idea where the low ratings come from, this album is close to a masterpiece I believe. It's just not there I feel and therefore I will have to round down to four stars but that's the very least it deserves. Well done Magenta !