MOTIONS OF DESIRE

I am almost lost for words. ALMOST I said. I have been exposed to so much good music by people recently that I feel as though I have won the Golden Ticket to a prog wonderland. I am ashamed to admit that I was unaware of how influential Norway is, or has become. Magic Pie are awesome and this album just HAS to be checked out. Opening track 'Change' is superlative and at twenty mnutes length is a feast of fun. I never felt the urge to skip to the next track at any point during it. It has many influences throughout and has a middle passage with a latin feel to it. It also has a 70s prog vibe but does NOT feel dated - the musicians are masterclass and I'd love to hear this track live. They must have known this track is destined to become a CLASSIC. Stadium-prog anyone? The title track comes next and at only six and a half minutes is one of the shorter tracks. It builds up nicely, the keyboards are lush and feature prominently (as they SHOULD in a prog band ha!) - I just love that organ sound. This is another excellent track and it begins to dawn that just maybe there are NO obvious fillers on this album. God, please let this band tour the UK soon and dont miss out where I live! 'Full Circle Poetry' comes next, at fourteen minutes the second longest. It starts a bit Yes-like then becomes Magic Pie-like. It will become a compliment to be compared to this band because they are class. Again synths are given as much prominence as other instruments and this track has a funky almost reggae-like edge to it. The fourth track 'Without Knowing Why' opens with di Meola-sounding phrases, again the organ/synthesiser is up there almost in tandem as a rhythm-guitar one minute and lead the next. Next comes the tri-partite 'Illusion & Reality'. Over eighteen minutes in total and a journey through styles and ifluences. The middle part has a more metallic,rockier theme and I can cope with that anytime. The last section has Camel brushstrokes without losing the bands own identity. The eigt and final track is 'Dream Vision' - again I am reminded of di Meola (in both electric/acoustic guitar). Its a superb track again and leaves you wanting more. I have to say that this album is ESSENTIAL listening because you will have to know what you are talking about when others discuss it, and discuss it they WILL.