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Jumping right in with a faux Gabriel
era Genesis sound, Magrathea's first album will fool anyone
familair with Genesis during in their prime. At first listen
the band consisting of two people Glen Alexander and Gary
Gordon are just imitating the band. On further examination,
though, you'll find a rich album with layered, memorable melodies
that is much more a homage to a style and sound of prog that
the two musicians clearly love. ***
Unlike the current trend with many
prog bands all the songs (except for the last) clock in between
5 and 6 minutes long never outstanding their welcome. Lyrically
although the band lacks the flair for imagery of Peter Gabriel,
they also don't embarrass with puerile lyrics that one might
expect from a 15 year old boy. The instrumental interplay
is exceptionally good despite the fact that there are only
two musicians playing and most of the instruments are overdubbed.
***
From the very first note of "Reunion"
(ironically titled given that it is an attempt to create the
sound if the Gabriel era Genesis were to reform and record
a new album) Genesis fans will feel like they are in capable
hands. While some of the tracks are less successful than others
(for example "Shadows of Ignorance" milks the Genesis sound
a wee bit too much for my comfort), the duo manage to mix
up the types of songs just enough to keep fans enthralled
and double checking the CD cover to make sure they're not
listening to a missing album recorded between "Selling England
by the Pound" and "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway". ***
Kudos to this creative duo for
doing something they love and for recreating a sound and style
sorely missing ever since Genesis broke through the mainstream
with "Abacab". Well worth seeking out if you're a Gabriel
era Genesis fan. "Legends" may miss the mark on occasion but
if the band can move forward from the sound of this album
and begin to carve out their out unique sound they have much
to offer to prog fans.
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