Magenta

I first saw Magenta at Progeny a few years back.They were the opening band but I was hooked almost immediately.Chrissie has a very beautifull voice and Rob writes excellent melodic prog with a nod or three towards Yes and Genesis.The musicians in the band are excellent especially Chris Fry who is a wonderfull guitarist.Anyone who hasn't seen this band live should make the effort whether they've heard any Magenta albums or not.And if you can't then I heartily recommend the DVD 'The Gathering'.This is one of the best out there.Utterly superb!

Dirk wrote: I agree with you that mostly autumn's albums before "storms" are very good (with exception of the Tolkien album), they are one of my favourite bands. For me the jury's still out on Magenta, it's not as accessible as Mostly autumn so it needs more listens.

Magenta's next album, Home (due out this year), will certainly be the Litmus test. If it doesn't build on their previous sound and is less adventurous than Seven, perhaps they are headed down the wrong road.  I wouldn't be too surprised if the album was more mellow with shorter songs, not unlike the direction Mostly Autumn has taken. But I'm still waiting for their symphonic prog masterpiece...here's hoping Home will be it.

Dirk wrote: necromancing777 wrote: I actually find I enjoy Magenta more than say, Mostly Autumn, when it comes to female prog outfits. Magenta is more to my liking, and I didn't care much for Mostly Autumn's new album, Storms of Still Water either. Actually "Storms" is easily the worst Mostly autumn album so that is not a fair comparision,I don't think Mostly autumn and Magenta should be compared at all because Magenta is much more complex than Mostly autumn. I know "Seven" from Magenta and i still don't have a definite opinion on it. Due to the crystal clear vocals it seems like an easy album but it isn't.

Perhaps it isn't fair to compare Magenta's Seven with Mostly Autumn's Storms Over Still Water. However, I feel Mostly Autumn IS fully capable of creating intricate symphonic prog, but they are perhaps at a point where they feel mainstream appeal may be the only way of bringing aboard new fans. For a prog band, I feel that the opposite is true (ex: Dream Theatre's latest album may be bringing in new non-prog fans, but also losing older prog purists). Maybe we can expect a Fish/Heather Findlay duet on the next Mostly Autumn album.  

IMO, Magenta are interested in continuing with symphonic prog music, while at the same time expanding their fan base. Perhaps this is a commerical risk. Maybe Mostly Autumn has the right idea in simplifying their musical style for broader appeal (non-prog fans).

But IMO, after watching Magenta'sThe Gathering and Mostly Autumn's V Shows, that musically, Magenta has the chops to be a symphonic juggernaut for years to come.

 

Edited by necromancing777

I never thought I`d say it ... Fish is one lucky man !

 

Very much so it is true and as much as I love the Fish man what does a stunning creature like Heather see in the old fella??? As for Mostly Autumn they are a very fine band. I saw them last week at Glasgow University and as a live act they are superb.If they are in your area go see them they are well worth the admission fee.And yes I do like what I've heard of Magenta.

Edited by Fragile

Have tried Magenta sometime ago and for me it didnt really grasp me , for me at times it sounded like they were trying too much to sound Yes like. But i will give them ago again. as for mostly autumn they are one of the finest bands around today .

*p.s * did anyone know that Fish is dating the lovely heather findlay

but as i said i will give magenta another try !

necromancing777 wrote: eugene wrote: I've got Seven. I acquired it after reading some good reviews on this site. The album disappointed me big time. I find very little interesting in it, and nothing new whatsoever. Female vocal on it is very ordinary one. Composition, although being long are not complex enough, melodies are rather primitive and simple. I cannot even brand this album "typical Neo-prog", as typical Neo-prog is much better. I don't know, Seven is supposed to be their best. If so - I am not interested in this band anymore... It might be good though for fans of Mostly Autumn and Karnataka. Hmmm....I guess we can agree to disagree. All I can say is, check out Magenta'sThe Gathering DVD for all the non-believers! Also, check out erik neuteboom's review of it in this great thread: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20855& amp; amp;PN=1

If I by chance come across the DVD you mentionned, I'll give it a spin, and, you never know, my opinion about this band might change, but I will not chase it, that's for sure...

Erik Neuteboom's review was probably the one I read (amongst others) before I bought Seven. So what? It shows you that tastes differ and nothing else. If Erik and you and hundreds of other people like this album - it's good for them - enjoy. Unfortunatly I cannot share your excitement about it, and consider this purchase as waste of my money.

And, really, we don't have to agree to disagree, really, we do not have to, we can just disagree, really, I guess, not a big problem....

I've got Seven. I acquired it after reading some good reviews on this site. The album disappointed me big time. I find very little interesting in it, and nothing new whatsoever. Female vocal on it is very ordinary one. Composition, although being long are not complex enough, melodies are rather primitive and simple. I cannot even brand this album "typical Neo-prog", as typical Neo-prog is much better.

I don't know, Seven is supposed to be their best. If so - I am not interested in this band anymore...

It might be good though for fans of Mostly Autumn and Karnataka.

I've only heard "Seven" so far, but it's an excellent album and I would recommend it to any fans of modern prog, especially if you like female vocals.

I've thought numerous times about getting Seven, but keep forgetting to.  Would you mind giving me similar bands?