THE EARTH YEARS

The Earth Years - the most recent Magic Bus album at the time of writing - continues the band's ongoing tribute to the lighter, fluffier side of the Canterbury scene. Don't expect intense, complex jazz-rock like Soft Machine or avant-garde experimental proto-RIO like early Henry Cow - this takes early Gong and Caravan as its main lodestones, and adds on some West Coast folk rock harmonies to spice things up. It's good, but it's the sort of good we've heard from Magic Bus before; if you're heard their preceding albums, you know what the deal is here, and if you haven't I think they're a bit more fresh than this, which risks tipping over into being outright formulaic.

social review comments | Review Permalink
Posted Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | Review this album | Report (Review #3036661)

1/3 Caravan 2/3 Gong This album is a little different then the previous albums which have been quite similar. The focus is on shorter songs which are a tad sillier then before. Most of the songs are Paul Evans singing in his unique inflection. The first half of the album is largely similar, ... (read more)

Report this review (#2577695) | Posted by Beautiful Scarlet | Friday, July 9, 2021 | Review Permanlink

Magic Bus has come a long way since its inception. The rhythm section (bass / drums) which tinkered with the first two albums was replaced from the "Philipp The Egg" album by a line that holds up. The result matures and goes wonderfully with keyboard, guitar and Paul Evans' delicate vocals. O ... (read more)

Report this review (#2437776) | Posted by Muskrat | Saturday, August 15, 2020 | Review Permanlink

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).