MOTIONS OF DESIRE

Ever since I first heard V by Spock's Beard, I've been looking for another band with the same quality of musicianship and sheer talent that the Beard embodied when Neal Morse was still with the Beard. I think I've finally found what I'm looking for. Motions of Desire is the album that Neal Morse should have made with the Beard after Snow. As it turns out, Magic Pie picked right up without missing a beat. Grand and epic songwriting, masterful musicianship, catchy hooks, and odd time signatures all lend themselves to a very strong and epic sounding debut release from Magic Pie.

Although Motions of Deire is reminiscent of a mix between Genesis, Kansas, Marillion, and even a little Yes thrown in for good flavor, there is actually more modern influences than anything else. Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, and to a lesser extent Echolyn all come to mind when I listen to this album. Some will probably say that Magic Pie tries to sound too much like these bands while not lending enough of their own sound. While they definitely wear their influences on their sleeve, all of the band members seem to lend their own unique style and sound to the album.

All in all, I wouldn't go so far as to yet say this album is a "Masterpiece of progressive music" (whatever your definition of that is). The operative word here is "yet." It's simply too soon to tell. There are far too many people here on the site claiming that modern bands are producing masterpieces. For example, both Riverside and Mars Volta are in the top 100 artists of all time here. Albeit, these bands do produce quality work, when compared to Genesis, Yes, Rush, Tull, ELP (the list goes on) these bands are in their infancy. The same can be said for Magic Pie. Let them develop for a few years (or decades) and let them stand the test of time, then maybe, we can refer to these emerging gems as masterpieces. Until then, just enjoy them for what they are...awesome modern prog.