| The
Review |
Released in October, 2005, this DVD is my taste ever of
the music of Magenta. I had seen their name before on all
the prog websites, and had read much about them (both positive
and negative) over the last couple of years. I was always
somewhat curious about this band, but for some reason never
purchased any of their work. When I was given the "assignment"
of reviewing this DVD for Progressive World, I jumped at the
chance to hear this band once and for all, and to make up
my own mind about them.
Although judging a band for the very first time based
on a two-hour concert DVD might seem a bit daunting, I've
actually found that this is a nice way to get a "crash course"
into what's a band's really all about. With a concert you
not only get to hear the music, but experience the personality,
stage presence, and live energy of a band.
If I may cut right to the chase, Magenta has simply blown
me away! Even on first viewing I could tell that this band
had that indefinable "something special" that sets them apart
from the pack. On further listenings I have been become even
more and more impressed with them - particularly with the
depth of their songwriting and arranging skills. The musicianship
is top-notch, too. But it's the emphasis on melody and structure
that really makes the band's "epic"-sized music work.
Founded by keyboardist/songwriter Rob Reed (formerly the
leader of 90's neo-prog band Cyan)Magenta are a six piece
Welsh band, featuring female lead vocals (Christina), dual
lead guitars (Chris Fry & Martin Rosser), bass (Matt Cohen)
and drums (Alan Mason-Jones). The music they create is lush,
engaging, and at times, quite theatrical. One thing I love
about this band is that at a time when so many other prog
bands are going for more of a "heavy/aggressive" direction
(see the latest releases from Pallas & Jadis), Magenta seem
to be flame-keepers of a gentler, more spiritual form of prog.
At times they wear their influences quite proudly - with Yes,
Renaissance, & early-Genesis being the most obvious ones.
However, Magenta does have enough of their own unique musical
nuances that they never come across as mere "clones" of anyone
- and there's also a moderninity that seperates them from
the "retro" prog movement. Granted, there are a few definite
"references" to the music of their heroes (such as a majestic
chord progression that sounds an awful lot like "Awaken" by
Yes), but I would suspect that these are done in loving tribute,
and not as some sort of nefarious plot to "rip off" the great
bands of the past...Prog snobs can be so uptight sometimes!
: )
As for the individual musicians - the vocals of Christina
tend to have a soothing, gentle quality, and they certainly
add a touch of individuality in a genre with far too many
Fish/Peter Gabriel clones. Christina may not have dynamic
power of Landmarq's Tracy Hitchings, but she does have a beautiful,
distinctive voice that works incredibly well with the lush
spirit of Magenta's music. Keyboardist Rob Reed is probably
the musical "center" of the band, and uses a colorful array
of sounds, both vintage and modern. Reed is also a great soloist,
with a definite Tony Banks influence in his playing. The dual
guitar players (Fry & Rosser) might well be considered Magenta's
"secret weapon". These guys are both great individual players,
and both get their share of featured solos - but when they
come together for the frequent harmonized lead guitar leads
(ala-Wishbone Ash) the effect is quite stunning to listen
to! Bassist Matt Cohen (who has apparently left the band since
the filming of this DVD) has a very good sense of melody,
and often uses his instrument to weave counter-melodies around
the guitars and keyboards. Lastly, drummer Alan Mason-Jones
seems to have a somewhat softer touch than many prog drummers,
but it's that very subtlety in his playing works so well in
the bands mellower moments...and he can unleash the thunder
when necessary!
If I were go through each song trying to describe them
individually, this review would become far too long for it's
own good. So, for brevity's sake, I'll just say that some
of my absolute favorites include "Gluttony", "Demons" "Children
of the Sun", "Genetesis", "I'm Alive" and "Pride" - but picking
favorites is probably pointless as I quite honestly liked
every track here.
Well, what else can I say, except that I am very glad
that I finally got to experience Magenta for myself. In fact,
for me, this DVD rates just under the recent Landmarq DVD
as one of the best overall prog releases of the last 2 or
3 years.
Actually, with a new Magenta CD ("Home") just released,
and new CD's on the way from Landmarq and Iona - perhaps these
female fronted bands may be the wave of the future for prog
rock...I, for one, will keep my fingers crossed.
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