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horza

Prog Reviewer

Joined: August 31 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 2530

Topic: Magenta
Posted: June 24 2006 at 05:55

I have 'Seven' which I really like - reminds me of the band Solstice (anyone know them?).

Originally posted by darkshade:

Calling Mike Portnoy a bad drummer is like calling Stephen Hawking an idiot.

necromancing777 View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: March 19 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 144

Posted: June 23 2006 at 21:39

Prog-jester wrote:

I have "Seven",and it's stunning!!!

I dislike YES,and I wasn't sure that I need the band which was described to me as a "YES rip-off"...Hell no!!!They're even better than YES!!!Christina is my favourite female singer,she has very touching and emotional voice...besides,she's so pretty

.The "Confess" part in "Lust"(6.10-7.30) is probably the most listened place at the whole album...sometimes,when I feel depressed,I just listen this bit and it makes wanna live again!!!
"Sloth" and "Envy" are my favourite tracks - both simple but very melodical,well-written,arranged and performed.The beginning of "Gluttony" is one of the most YES-like bits I ever heard!..and I love it!!!

A fantastic album for sure. Christina is not bad on the eyes either. Get their 'Gathering' DVD if you haven't already. You would be disappointed.

Politician wrote:

"Home" at least sees the band playing to its strengths for the first time - it makes me realise that Christina Murphy is actually a capable singer, and the musicianship is pretty competent too. However, their strength is seemingly for power ballads (with lyrics every bit as incisive as one would expect from, say, Whitney Houston) interspersed with occasional homages to late period Pink Floyd (especially "The Wall") to make it palatable to prog rock fans.

This is true, the lyrics are the weakest link in the new tunes I'm afraid to say. I don't know why Christina is not allowed to write her own lyrics?

"Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash,
But it was mine in the first place, so I'll burn it to ash."

richardh

Prog Reviewer

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 27958

Posted: June 23 2006 at 17:47

I've just got my ticket to see them 8 Sept at the Borderline in London.

Anyone else going?

Politician View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: July 02 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 521

Posted: June 23 2006 at 11:46

"Home" at least sees the band playing to its strengths for the first time - it makes me realise that Christina Murphy is actually a capable singer, and the musicianship is pretty competent too. However, their strength is seemingly for power ballads (with lyrics every bit as incisive as one would expect from, say, Whitney Houston) interspersed with occasional homages to late period Pink Floyd (especially "The Wall") to make it palatable to prog rock fans.

chopper

Special Collaborator

Honorary Collaborator

Joined: July 13 2005
Location: Essex, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 20029

Posted: June 23 2006 at 07:28

richardh wrote:

I've got 'Home' on order.Hopefully should arrive any time!

I got it last week - the special edition with the New York Suite CD. It's excellent, I don't think you'll be disappointed Richard.

Prog-jester View Drop Down

Prog Reviewer

Joined: June 05 2005
Location: Love Beach
Status: Offline
Points: 5865

Posted: June 23 2006 at 07:12

I have "Seven",and it's stunning!!!

richardh

Prog Reviewer

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 27958

Posted: June 23 2006 at 02:03

I've got 'Home' on order.Hopefully should arrive any time!

Forgotten Son View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: March 13 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 1356

Posted: June 22 2006 at 18:40

I 'm really enjoying Magenta's album. I've not heard any of their other albums, however glancing at some of the track lists makes me fearful that they've have fallen into the trap of making long tracks just for the sake of it like so many modern prog bands do. 'Home 'steers well clear of this.

It actually reminds me of Marillion's Brave and Camel's Nude, in equal measure, rather than the bombastic Yes and Genesis influenced Prog that I'm led to believe is to be found on their previous discs.

necromancing777 View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: March 19 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 144

Posted: June 22 2006 at 17:23

richardh wrote:

I have to say I'm not optimistic about the new album having heard some of the tracks already. I'll always stick up for 'Seven' though. One of the best albums I've heard for years if not exactly 'progressive' in approach.

After hearing the new album, 'Home', I'd have to agree with you.

To this point I still like 'Revolutions' and 'Seven' much better. However, the bonus disc 'New York Suite' is more enjoyable to listen to IMO. Maybe because of the longer compostions and the sound is a bit more "proggy".

Edited by necromancing777 - June 22 2006 at 17:25

"Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash,
But it was mine in the first place, so I'll burn it to ash."

richardh

Prog Reviewer

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 27958

Posted: April 01 2006 at 15:11

I have to say I'm not optimistic about the new album having heard some of the tracks already.I'll always stick up for 'Seven' though.One of the best albums I've heard for years if not exactly 'progressive' in approach.

necromancing777 View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: March 19 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 144

Posted: April 01 2006 at 11:19

Politician wrote:

I think I'm in the minority here - I can find very few redeeming features in
MAGENTA's music. "Revolutions" for me is almost like a sarcastic parody
of progressive rock, with interminable songs and suites that go nowhere,
riffs lifted wholesale from 30-year-old records and laughable
"conceptual" lyrics. "Seven" is slightly better, but it's still very dull and
derivative neo-prog. At least on the live album, they sound like they're
enjoying themselves, although this and (especially) the DVD convince me
they're really would-be stadium rockers rather than anything I'd describe
as progressive.

I think songs like King Of The Skies, I'm Alive, Broken and Call Me are stadium rockers, not really progressive. However, here's hoping their new album will be the prog masterpiece fans have been waiting for. We'll see...

"Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash,
But it was mine in the first place, so I'll burn it to ash."

Politician View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: July 02 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 521

Posted: April 01 2006 at 11:03

I think I'm in the minority here - I can find very few redeeming features in
MAGENTA's music. "Revolutions" for me is almost like a sarcastic parody
of progressive rock, with interminable songs and suites that go nowhere,
riffs lifted wholesale from 30-year-old records and laughable
"conceptual" lyrics. "Seven" is slightly better, but it's still very dull and
derivative neo-prog. At least on the live album, they sound like they're
enjoying themselves, although this and (especially) the DVD convince me
they're really would-be stadium rockers rather than anything I'd describe
as progressive.

necromancing777 View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: March 19 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 144

Posted: April 01 2006 at 10:56

limeyrob wrote:

RichardH

I regret to say that I have the very same feelings about Ever too (and most IQ's albums before Dark Matter) - a superb album spoiled. Again - just my opinion

I don't know if the drumming ever spoiled an album for me. For instance, on Genesis'Trespass, Mayhew doesn't measure up to what Collins would do in the future, but indeed his drumming is satisfactory on an otherwise great album IMO.

Edited by necromancing777

"Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash,
But it was mine in the first place, so I'll burn it to ash."

limeyrob

Forum Senior Member

VIP Member

Joined: January 15 2005
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 1402

Posted: March 30 2006 at 16:16

RichardH

I regret to say that I have the very same feelings about Ever too (and most IQ's albums before Dark Matter) - a superb album spoiled. Again - just my opinion

necromancing777 View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: March 19 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 144

Posted: March 29 2006 at 18:07

limeyrob wrote:

I have been listening to Seven for a while now and think it is one stunning album - apart from the flipping drumming (I'd like to use other adjectives, but I am trying to control myself!!). They really spoil it for me. I'm referring to the snare drum here. Not only does it sound unimaginative, tinny and cheap, compared to the rich music of the other instruments, but they are also mixed appalingly and dominate too much. My nerves jar every time it beats. Otherwise this album would be in my top 50. What were the other band members thinking of when they let this through?

Anyway that's my opinion FWIW

I think that the Magenta albums are self-produced. I'd agree that sometimes they sound a little "thin", but the snare drum sound never bothered me at all. Actually, I find some of the production values on Mostly Autumn's records to be poor in spots too.

Edited by necromancing777

"Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash,
But it was mine in the first place, so I'll burn it to ash."

richardh

Prog Reviewer

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 27958

Posted: March 29 2006 at 16:33

Interesting.I've read similar criticisms of Paul Cook on 'Ever'.I don't mind it personally.Both albums would be in my all time top fifty.

limeyrob

Forum Senior Member

VIP Member

Joined: January 15 2005
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 1402

Posted: March 29 2006 at 15:32

I have been listening to Seven for a while now and think it is one stunning album - apart from the flipping drumming (I'd like to use other adjectives, but I am trying to control myself!!). They really spoil it for me. I'm referring to the snare drum here. Not only does it sound unimaginative, tinny and cheap, compared to the rich music of the other instruments, but they are also mixed appalingly and dominate too much. My nerves jar every time it beats. Otherwise this album would be in my top 50. What were the other band members thinking of when they let this through?

Anyway that's my opinion FWIW

necromancing777 View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: March 19 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 144

Posted: March 29 2006 at 14:49

Jim Garten wrote:

The only Magenta I own (have heard) is 'Revolutions' - whilst I love the musicianship (I don't care if they wear their influences on their sleeves, they're good influences), I have to say I find the lyrics laughable - don't get me wrong, I think she has a fine voice, it's just a shame she has to sing such trite rubbish.

Just my opinion, you understand...

You're probably referring to the song "Man the Machine". Yes, the lyrics are very trite and ridiculous on that one! Some of the lyrics in "Children of the Sun" I thought were corny too. However, like you said, I can look pass this because of the great musicianship. The lyrics on Seven are free from fluff IMO.

"Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash,
But it was mine in the first place, so I'll burn it to ash."

richardh

Prog Reviewer

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 27958

Posted: March 29 2006 at 13:22

Rob Reed admits that one of his influences is the Sound Of Music so that may expalin the dodgy lyrics .That said I do believe that the follow up album Seven was a major improvement lyrically.

Jim Garten View Drop Down

Special Collaborator

Retired Admin & Razor Guru

Joined: February 02 2004
Location: South England
Status: Offline
Points: 14693

Posted: March 29 2006 at 11:35

The only Magenta I own (have heard) is 'Revolutions' - whilst I love the musicianship (I don't care if they wear their influences on their sleeves, they're good influences), I have to say I find the lyrics laughable - don't get me wrong, I think she has a fine voice, it's just a shame she has to sing such trite rubbish.

Just my opinion, you understand...

Jon Lord 1941 - 2012