SEVEN

Honestly, I'd put it with the Symphonic bands. I didn't glanced toward Magenta all this time because I thought this was another band wanting to be Genesis. It is true, this band is trying real hard to show us it's roots. They really don't try to hide anything. I think this is was describes Magenta the best: a band copying it's heroes and not having an onze of shame about it. So, bands that's recongnizable here are the usual suspects: Yes and Genesis. And how! All along, steel lap and Gibson guitars (simply, it's Howe or it's Hackett), chimes, vocal harmonies a la Jon Anderson and a palette of keyboards pumping straight from Tony Banks' pond. Well, so are many bands, but Magenta really don't hide it too much. And to me, it could be their calling card!

To me, those who likes Glass Hammer (the latest years) will be pleased. Because, let's face it, even Christina's voice is sharing a ton with Flo Parrish from Glass Hammer. Basically, the roots of the two bands are exactly the same. Most of the songs could figure on Glass Hammer's Lex Rex and especially Shadowlands. It's almost the same band except for the fact that Magenta uses more of the orchestra and also, Magenta's songs are much more relaxed and 'gentle rainy day' oriented. And this is where they hit hard. They really have the knack to create cute, delicate breaks based on mellotron female 'oooh's and 'aaah's.

Anyway, not as impressive as the critics says and expect a relatively average amount of originality. But in the end, you could say that they've succeeded to create their own sound (like the cool 'cha cha cha' harmonies, the telephone voices and the rainy day moods). Listen to it a lot if you want to make your money's worth, the complexity of the songs is surprising.

Oh, and don't get fooled by the cover, this ain't no walk in the graveyard.

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