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It was with
a bunch load of high expectations the new album from Magic Pie
called "Circus of Life" reached my CD-player. The high expectations were all because I saw this Norwegian band do an unforgettable act
earlier this year (in June 2007) at Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg,
Sweden.
All
the guys proved they had skills
way beyond the common limits and the
musical influences seemed like a happy marriage between bands like Exception, Yes (the 70’s style),
Kansas and King Crimson with a trace of Pink Floyd there, as well.
The needle of my built in complexity meter peaked constantly
through-out the entire concert! I was simply standing in the middle of the
crowd with one silly thought; "These guys must be from The Twilight
Zone"...
But now, I asked
myself, could this contemporary progressive rock band with it’s
heavy, jazzy and non-contemporary influences really live up to my
expectations on an album? I mean compared to that marvellous live performance... Could they really transfer the same
intense, glow and magical sound to the album?
Well, I’m glad to say
the answer is: Yes, they could! Cause even though the songs on
the album “Circus of life” without doubt picks up a hint or two from bands
playing down the "Memory Lane", it
all comes with a fresh package and plenty of well suited own moves. It’s modern progressive rock at it’s very
best. Thinking about it, there's not many bands having succeeded
in this musical genre since the late 70's. Among modern rock bands I
think
Magic Pie is musically most related to bands like The Flower Kings and Spock's Beard.
Back to this album; After listening to it a couple of times I can tell
you
I'm completely knocked out! I could easily have picked most of the
songs of the album as excellent but I especially like to mention “What if”, the over 20
minute piece “Trick of the mind” and, of course, my personal favourite “Pointless Masquerade”.
Since I play keyboards myself I
very much enjoy Gilbert Marshall’s roaring epic organs, reminding me of
guys like Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman and Ken Hensley. But the guy
that really kicks me off my chair is Magic Pie’s guitarist Kim
Stenberg. His guitar work on songs like “The clown” and “Watching
the waters” are nothing but awesome! The guy is David Gilmour and John Petrucci
- all in one!
The
powerful basses (Lars Petter Holstad) and drumming (Jan Torkild Johannessen)
is really tight and intricate, the lyrics are great and the vocal
parts with the three lead singers Gilbert Marshall, Allan Olsen and Eirik Hanssen are extremely
tasteful, bringing a unique texture to the vocals. Just listen to the vocal
part on a
song like “What if”, and you'll know what I mean.
This album is very well put together, every song
fits into the puzzle. It´s fresh and it’s vintage – all at the same
time. So if you
are into progressive rock music and likes a tight and groovy
symphonic sound, but still don’t want the exception of beautiful and
emotional melodies - go buy this record, it´s the essential purchase
of the year!
//Roger Karlsson, 2007-09-30
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