SYMPHONY FOR A MISANTHROPE

Apparently this one of those intriguing albums that causes all kinds of ratings and opinions. I like that because it's always interesting to let people know where you stand. But what mainly surprises me is that none of the prog reviewers can really appreciate it. With this statement I'm already revealing what my opinion is and that is a very postive one.

But first something else: This is my first album from this band and when I heard it a few times I was sure this band had to be placed in the heavy prog category (maybe that also had to do with Explorers Club, a Trent Gardner project) but they appeared to be in crossover. Later on I bought two other albums by Magellan and I have to say: crossover is the right category in the end. What I'm trying to say is that this is probably their haviest album. And that is actually caused by the impressive and dominant epic on this release. Cranium reef suite (4,25*) is over 18 minutes pretty rough stuff, one of my favourite epics from recent years. And guess what: it isn't even my favourite track on the album. That honour is for the second song of the album, Why water weeds (4,5*). What a terrific song this is ! Probably the best Magellan song ever although I have to achieve a lot of their other albums to know that for sure of course. But I think this song can only be evened by another, not surpassed. I dare say that. Two other (short) songs are more or less classical, the opening Symphonette (3,5*) and the Pianissimo Intermission (3,5*) both sounding very nice as well. Wisdom (3,5*) and Doctor Concoctor (3,25*) are good songs as well so that leaves the final song to be my least favourite one (3*).

So anyone who can do a bit of maths know what this means. It can only be 4 stars, be it rounded up (3,65).