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| Magenta - New York Suite |
 Released: 2006 Label: F2 Music Cat. No.: 200606B Total Time: 40:05 | |
Reviewed by: John "Bo Bo" Bollenberg, July 2006 Based on the experiences of the main character from the Home album, the young woman shares with us the experiences she encounters whilst being in New York. So both New York Suite and Home are true companions, although each can be seen from an individual angle as well. Whilst Home contains no fewer than fifteen shorter songs, New York Suite is made up of only five, with the latter even being a very short reprise. So in that respect for sure New York Suite follows right in the footsteps of the band's previous output whereas Home is kind of a tryout into delivering shorter, more direct tracks. Already in "Arrival" Magenta toys around with loads of different ideas and influences, combining Renaissance with Yes covered with a joyful rockin' sauce, illustrating the young naïve nature of our main character. During "Home From Home" singer Christina delivers all her emotions in order to deliver a very powerful track helped out by some orchestral arrangements, some Tony Banks organ themes, and yet again more vintage Renaissance stuff. Great repetitive guitar mixed with subtle piano paves the way for "White Lies" before Christina introduces a more rock oriented approach, which slightly transcends into wonderful almost nature like sounds focussing on flute and acoustic guitar. "Truth" is very much a tribute to Yes as it almost delivers an authentic Yes track here, featuring superb guitar solos and bass antics. It sounds fresh and lively, sporting some laidback harmonies and several time signatures. The mellow ending to the song gets close to some of the best Pink Floyd. Finally the main theme from the opening track on the Home album, "This Life," is repeated here with Christina's voice and solitary piano nicely blending together. Maybe over the years we have become way too greedy knowing Magenta's debut album was a double disc containing none other than original material. The band has come to a point where they can be more critical about themselves, as obviously they know that more and more people are receiving the information about the band and are checking them out. Personally I prefer the actual Home album, although New York Suite no doubt has to be embraced with an equal amount of passion. If only sales could be as good as during the seventies then these fine people could fully concentrate on their musical career and become even better. But who needs better when you already have the best? [See also John M's review -ed.] More about New York Suite : Track Listing: Arrival (10:58) / Home From Home (8:07) / White Lies (10:56) / Truth (8:44) / This Life (Reprise) (1:20) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.magenta-web.com Discography
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