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Magenta

 

Neo-Prog

3.49 | 140 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
3 stars "Magenta" is a band playing nice music. But other band's one.

While listening to "Hurt", one can be charmed with the wonderful voice of Christina Murphy but this combination between "Yes" and "Floyd" is a bit too much. I am not an utmost purist who can't tolerate some "borrowing" but "Magenta" is always going into the same direction. I prefer very much a song like "Moving On". A nice and powerful prog-folk piece of music. Of course, some will say (rightly) that it sounds a bit like a "Mostly Autumn" song. The case seems hopeless but this song is rather different when compared to most of their repertoire.

We'll revert into more familiar territory with "The Journey". Some "Genesis" synthesizers and female "Anderson-esque" type of vocals. The whole being seriously "Yes" oriented. Vocal harmonies found undoubtfully their origins in there but the mix with such Banks oriented notes is truely amazing. Surprinsingly enough, I like this song for these pastiche sounds. You have to dare to produce such things. Every ten or fifteen seconds, we are bounced back between those two fantastic bands. But it doesn't make this song fantastic. Just an incredible mix. I have never heard such a thing so far. And I know those two bands since 1973...

"Demons" is no mix. Pure Floydian. Great guitar break and bombastic keyboards. I can't say that I don't like this song. It is very well crafted, melodic, very professionally performed but it sounds too much as Floyd. Period. I found Hughes's reaction a bit exaggerated while he stopped his review of their debut album because they borrowed some notes to "Entangled". But maybe that he wasn't wrong. He would have choked with anger by now, should he have pursued with the review of their following albums.

To me, it is great fun to identify which songs (or bands) they are borrowing from. And believe me, there is plenty of work since there are lots of songs within a song (do you follow me?). I guess that since this "Magenta" album received very little reviews, most of the reviewers must have come to the conclusion that this band has gone too far in their "imitation" style. And I cannot blame them.

Even a song like "Joe" which sounds more personal, will fall into the "Yes" repertoire again ("Roundabout" of some sort at mid- time). Another nice tribute. My favourite song of this album is "Journey's End". A very good symphonic song during which Christina's work is phenomenal. the most related with "Renaissance".

Oh yes, I almost forgot to tell you that if you were expecting the same great vocals a la Annie Haslam ("Renaissance"), you won't be disappointed. You get them all here as well.

I might seem harsh in this review but don't get me wrong. The band is delivering good music, wonderful vocal harmonies but is just lacking in playing their own music IMO. It is still an enjoyable album and as such I rate it with three stars. Nothing to write "home" about but if you like the four bands I have mentioned you might give a try to this album.

ZowieZiggy | 3/5 |

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