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Magellan's latest, SYMPHONY FOR
A MISANTHROPE, has been getting mixed reviews, though I have
found that I rather like it. Having heard some of their other
material which went in one ear and out the other, I found
that SYMPHONY... was just the right length at barely 46 minutes,
just enough bombastic and formula rock/prog/metal to satisfy.
A 78 minute version of this disc would have rendered this
release monotonous and irritating. Though I hear flaw-filled
aspects all over this record, I must say that this is one
of those discs that I sorata like anyway for no real reason.***
Magellan is more of a 'project'
than a band and is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist
Trent Gardner who writes the material and sings. He, along
with his brother Wayne Gardner on instruments, make the brand
name 'Magellan' a family affair, using various friends and
established musicians as they see fit, such as Tony Levin,
Robert Berry and members of Kansas. Musically these guys have
either a unique mix of modern rock, prog-metal and symphonic
progressive rock or a frustrating hodgepodge of depresso prog
overkill, depending on your mood. I'm not sure what to make
of Magellan, or why I like this disc. Credit and respect should
be given to the Gardner brothers for following their vision,
whatever that vision may be...***
The lyrics on this record deal with,
as the title says, an antisocial and/or self-absorbed and
selfish society, internal and external. Some of these words
are so negative and 'serious' that they are actually amusing,
though I'm sure that the intention was to say something profound
and 'heavy'. Basically a misanthrope is one who is anti-social
or hates humanity. This is good music for a misanthrope as
well. The production is slick and the album cover is what
you usually expect from artists on the Insideout label. As
a whole, SYMPHONY isn't very cohesive, it's kinda just the
next Magellan album. The track listing could have been any
sequence, the 18 minute 'epic' could have been the last track
or the second. Probably wouldn't make any difference. But
this actually works to advantage, as the listener doesn't
feel the need to be sadled with some mega-long concept album
to be studied more than enjoyed. The album is what it is.
And this sounds weird, but I find that the fact that this
isn't the greatest album makes it more enjoyable. Not sure
what to make of this album or band. Anyway, the tracks are:***
SYMPHONETTE:
The obligatory bombastic 'orchestral'
intro is just that- a dramatic mini-symphony which introduces
the album in a schlocky 'soundtrack-y' type manner, as if
something grand and serious is about to happen. One of the
brothers' heroes, Kansas vocalist Steve Walsh, appears on
keyboards as well.***
WHY WATER WEEDS:
Moody and hard rocking first vocal
track is dark and full of some abrasive synths and crunching
guitars, more in the direction of the likes of Threshold and
Dream Theatre. To me, Trent's vocals sound a little like Ozzy
Osbourne. Modern synth-drum rhythms and squealing keyboard
overkill may have marred this track to you if not in the mood
for this sort of thing. The lyrics are basically, 'why help
anybody, nobody deserves it'. Talk about misanthropy.***
WISDOM:
A slower, moody 'ballad' track
which recalls classic Kansas, a band which seems to be one
of Magellan's influences. The lyrics are descriptively depressing
to the point of being funny- 'one man can't even write his
name, this lady thinks she's going insane'. But generally
a decent track.***
CRANIUM REEF SUITE:
The long epic of the album(18 minutes
or so) has some decent bits but ultimately fails to live up
to its promise. The first instrumental bit is good progressive
rock, with the guitar textures definately recalling pre-Signals
RUSH, and perhaps a bit of IQ. Good dramatic sections, but
ultimately just a long song. A few more instrumental movements
would have enhanced this epic piece. They kinda dropped the
ball here.***
PIANISSIMO INTERMISSION:
A pleasant distraction from the
heavy progressive rock content is this slice of piano brevity,
basically a Bach piece.***
DOCTOR CONCOCTOR:
This album works best often when
Magellan are putting in the boot, such as on this short but
rocking metal track, which I wish there was more of on this
record. Distorted vocals, crunchy guitar and synth bass over
an Eddie Jobson-esque synth bed is are the tickets here. Sadly,
this one fades out before it could have been further developed,
which is too bad. More straight forward rock from these guys
would actually be what the Doctor could order.***
EVERY BULLET NEEDS BLOOD:
This last one is of a classic progressive
rock variety and probably has some of the most sucessful 'prog'
moments on this disc, but with a more accessible 'rock' feel
as well. Lots of stop & go times and textures, good vocals
and guitar. As good an album closer as any.***
There's plenty to dismiss about
this record, but plenty to still enjoy as well. Perhaps I
should listen to more by Magellan. In the meantime, this may
be in my car for a little while longer.
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