LORD OF THE AGES

On the whole I think Seasons might have the edge on Lord of the Ages when it comes to Magna Carta's early albums of folk rock with the occasional progressive inflection; in particular, whilst the title track is rather grand, the fantastical lyrics don't really seem like the right fit for Magna Carta's style, with their reflections on the cycle of the year on the title track of Seasons perhaps fitting their aesthetic better.

Glen Stuart left the band shortly after this; he stuck around long enough to make the clunky Martin's Cafe, a much more generic and nondescript album which the record company balked at releasing (it would eventually trickle out in 1977), but that's enough of a disappointment that perhaps Lord of the Ages is the best epitaph for his tenure in the group; indeed, some would argue that it's the last standout release from the band. That may or may not be so - but whatever the case, I think it deserves a tier just a shade lower than Seasons, which is perhaps their true greatest moment.