MOTIONS OF DESIRE

Magic Pie

Symphonic Prog

3.87 | 312 ratings

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russellk
Prog Reviewer

What a splendidly accomplished debut album this is. I'd recommend it without reservation to any fan of symphonic rock.

Within the first three minutes MAGIC PIE lay it all before us. 'This is what we're like', their music says. 'Yes, we have taken our sound from the golden age of progressive rock, but we've incorporated more recent advances in production and musicianship.' In particular their music has a harder edge than much symphonic rock. The result is pleasing to the ear, without being overly challenging to the mind. Older '70s progheads, in particular, will be able to reminisce to this music. I rate them above Scandinavian contemporaries WOBBLER, but still inferior to THE FLOWER KINGS. I hope that helps those trying to decide whether to lay down their readies for this record.

But there are problems. Foremost are the lyrics: perhaps there are problems in translation, but they are twee at best and downright appalling at worst. Second, they have not built an album carefully enough: it takes many listens to distinguish the songs with any certainty. Thirdly, there are too many moments that make the listener think s/he is listening to some other band: the opening drumming on the title track is a case in point. Has my playlist defaulted to MARILLION'S ' Assassing'? And finally the vocals are average at best.

My favourite track, 'Full Circle Poetry', is one I include on any showcase of modern progressive sounds for my jaded '70s friends who no longer listen to music, and many of them report an immediate bond with the track. If you like this song, chances are you'll love the album.

Nearly a four-star album, then: if only it had better lyrics, I'd plump for four stars without a doubt. I look forward to 'Circus of Life' with a deal of anticipation.

russellk | 3/5 | 2007-8-31

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