MAGIC IS A CHILD

Magic is A Child has suffered from prejudiced critics over the years who can`t stop comparing it to thier previous more psyched-out material which, at best, acquired them a loyal cult following on both sides of the Atlantic. By 1977 when this album was released many prog bands were changing formats to suit the whims of the record companies and with one of their main proponents from their formative years, Roye Albrighton gone, Nektar found themselves in the same predicament that many bands found themselves in during the late seventies when musical tastes were shifting towards less cerebral music. But unlike such prog catastrophes as Triumvirat`s atrocious "A la Carte" and ELP`s horrendous "Love Beach" , Nektar produced this streamlined work which stuck to many prog-rock formulas with well tempered synths ( programmed by Larry Fast who would later work with Peter Gabriel ) a string quartet, as well as great vocal harmonies. Although there are no long extended tracks to be found on the album these shorter pieces are compositionally just as good as any FM band of the day ( Supertramp, Styx ) even if they were a bit lacking in the lead vocals department. Nevertheless, new guitarist/vocalist Dave Nelson, proves more than adequate for this toned down progressive rock endeavour.

Most of the music on the album is a refreshing escape from the early seventies onslaught of furious soloing, impossible time signatures and worn out themes. It does have it`s heavier moments on tracks like " Midnight Lite " and "Train From Nowhere", which has a Gentle Giant twist to it on the middle instrumental section which had potential for development into a more drawn out instrumental excursion. " Listen " is perhaps the most intense track both lyrically and musically with some great Floydish guitar soloing with beautiful multi layered keyboard backdrops. The opening tracks, "Away From Asgard" and the title track," Magic Is A Child" complement each other nicely. "Away From Asgard", with it`s almost disco-like backbeat was obviously a failed attempt at commercial success but still retains many progish elements such as synths sounding like harpsichords and chimes not to mention the fantasy lyrics. The title track " Magic is a Child " will apeal to the listener looking for symphonic elements with a beautifully arranged string quartet and harpsichord/synth accompaniment along with other keyboard texturizing which is omnipresent throughout the whole album. Also look for some subtle but effective tape driven effects on the fatherly " Love To Share ( Keep Your Worries Behind You ) ".

My only real qualm with this otherwise thoroughly enjoyable album are a few fade out endings which give the impression of creative cop-out. However, Magic Is A child should not be ignored for the fact that it doesn`t capture the previous krautrock/hard rock elements of previous Nektar recordings. There are enough old-school prog influences and sophistication both lyrically and musically to make each track redeemable in some essental way and a fair compromise is made between commercial demands of the day and artistic integrity. An Underrated gem with one of the most beautiful covers of any prog album ever to boot.