LORD OF THE AGES

This was the high water mark for Magna Carta, and also their most prog-oriented album, not surprisingly given its 1973 release, a year when even those not inclined to prog were adopting its mannerisms, and nobody who counted was sick of it yet.

While "Seasons" did contain a pretty decent suite that was in the extended folk realm, "Lord of the Ages" includes a real epic in the form of the ripping title track, which alternates spoken verses with hard rocking (at least by Magna Carta standards) interludes. But even the shorter tracks have a mysterious vibe while avoiding any smugness that one might associate with some or the more woodsy British folk rock of the period (Incredible String Band, Spirogyra). In particular "Two Old Friends" deals with a rift with sensitivity and sincere caring, not to mention a gentle swing, even if those trademark Simon and Garfunkel harmonies are sometimes cloying.

The album's midsection sags a bit like a middle aged belly, but it closes strongly with "That was Yesterday" and the sublime medieval sounding "Falkland Grene" that singlehandedly re-captivates the listener before silence ensues.

As this is the best Magna Carta album by far, I am distinguishing it by rounding up to 4 stars. If you want only one by this group, make it "Lord of the Ages"