Who remembers the 1970s when the sprawling, expansive progressive rock concept album (often a double album…..) ruled the roost? Who did it better – Yes, Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant etc? Take your pick. And do you miss those days? I do…..
Well, here’s one which is a magnificent homage to the prog rock double concept which I came across a few days ago after having it recommended to me by a friend. The band is Maganta. The album is their debut from 2001 – Revolutions.
As I understand the back story, main man Rob Reed put the band together specifically to record Revolutions though so well received it was that Magenta continued as a productive entity. Indeed – the homage is intentional as Rob quotes in the booklet: ”this album is the product of a life of influence by my favourite bands. It is an attempt to recreate the magical flavours which they refuse to serve to us today. Andy similarities or coincidences with any bands past or present are entirely intentional.”
And let me tell you – Rob and the band “recreate” the magnificence of the prog rock here on Revolutions with a glorious throw-back full of everything the genre was about in the 1970s.
A double CD each comprising of two songs of twenty minutes plus split by a couple short instrumentals of around am minute each. There’s a “short” seven minuter to close out the second CD.
The lyrics are a bit twee and cloying occasionally – however that in no way spoils the enjoyment of the music which is indeed channelling everything which was go great with classic prog such as Relayer, Close to the Edge and similar.
Christina’s vocals are rangy, fit the song delivery so well and fit somewhere between an Annie Haslam or a Maddy Prior.
The music is lush, expansive, complex, symphonic and typically progressive. The bass lines bring Chris Squire immediately to mind. Crisp drumming, mazy guitar and excellent keys/synths/Hammond all over it.
Here’s a video of Magenta performing a medley from Revolutions.
As per the booked notes – Rob Reed makes his intentions behind the album clear. He and the band (forgive me a cliché) “nail it”.
If you’re like me and are still nostalgic for the old days every time you spin Relayer or like your “proper” prog and get what Magenta were doing with Revolutions then you’re in for a treat.
I tracked my copy down from Caerllysi Music in Wales. Also fond Magenta’s Bandcamp page where you can do the streaming thing if that’s your bag. Links below:
https://www.caerllysimusic.co.uk/index.html
https://magenta.bandcamp.com/album/revolutions