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Magenta's second album 'SEVEN'
is chock full of melody and proggy textures, though lacking
a missing element that I can't put my finger on. Maybe a certain
focus, I'm not sure. But this is no negative thing, however,
as the melodies and textures hold up well. One thing is certain:
the vocal department is rather pleasing to the ear, more so
than a lot of other prog acts, even other ones with female
vocals. Annie Haslam as a member of YES going through a Neo-prog
phase comes to mind. But Magenta are more than that. It's
just refreshing to listen to these vocals and not hear another
Peter Gabriel clone. Vocalist Christina Booth ups the music
a notch higher than it would have had Magenta been fronted
by another Gabriel/Wetton/Fish wannabe. Former Cyan man Rob
Reed will go places for a while with Magenta in the symphonic
rock genre, and this is probably the best Magenta record to
start with. One drawback is that it's one of those 78 minute
long jobs, though fortunately nothing here is too draining.
Mostly good symphonic progressive. ***
I assume 'SEVEN' is a concept album
about the seven deadly sins of man(anger, lust, jealousy,
pride, sloth, gluttony and greed) and there is one track for
each sin. Most bands tackling such a concept would feature
music which is dark, harsh and gothic. Odd how Magenta do
not deliver such an album. Some of this actually sounds pleasant,
positive and 'summery' while still musically challenging.
The lyrics are no darker than anyone else's, and do not go
too far into religious imagery most of the time. Don't know
much else about these guys(and gal), but I would recommended
Magenta's-"Seven to fans of the likes of FLOWER KINGS.
Here's what the seven tracks from SEVEN sorta sound like(try
saying that seven times real fast...):***
GLUTTONY:
The first track has a sort of YES
vibe in the harmonies and bass work, but moves through other
moods. The 'rappy' section throws things off kilter and reminds
me of Deborah Harry singing 'Rapture' with Blondie. Yes, it's
ok to like that. It's a good thing. At other times the vocals
sound...cute. Not sure how to explain that. This is the track
that sums up the mood and feel of SEVEN more so than any other.
***
ENVY:
A more Pendragon-hued Neo sound
here, nice emotional track. Christina's vocals are somewhat
folky without being within the context of folk. Slow and beautiful.
One section recalls Genesis 'Entangled', but that's not necessarily
the slow & beautiful part. ***
LUST:
Starts off a little symphonic and
developes into a more upbeat track with choppier rhythm and
a good jam section where Rob Reed and his pals can engage
in some structured noodling. ***
GREED:
The longest track at almost 14
minutes is probably the least essential track here, being
much more of the same, but still with some decent instrumental
interplay. Decent vocal harmony too. ***
ANGER:
The shortest track at just over
5 minutes. Despite being the track depicting 'anger', this
one is a reflective, symphonic ballad with a hint of sadness
and harp-styled keyboards. This is all in all a pretty good
song in its own right without any concept. ***
PRIDE: back to the long stuff and
more bombastic symphonic arrangements. Nice piano, 'bell'
keys and some near-'scat' singing. Some Steve Howe tinged
guitar too. And some Supertramp type section. And some cool
fretboard tapping. And an anthemic closing section. They're
all over the place.***
SLOTH:
Opens with mystical orchestral and
piano with vocals for a slow power ballad section. Some Pink
Floyd-like wailing guitar lead cuts through one section and
ends the album on a soulful note.***
Fans of prog with female vocals
and of symphonic bands like Flower Kings should check this
out.
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