Magenta - The Singles

Year of Release: 2007
Label: Tiger Moth Records
Catalog Number: TMR002
Format: CD
Total Time: 79:15:00

From the very early days it was clear that prog was not destined for the singles market but was mainly an album oriented genre. Record companies did pull the odd single to promote an album, yet in a lot of cases the released material was a poor edit of what could only be fully appreciated on the actual album. Some longer tracks were even split into two virtually equal halves in order to fit onto one single so you actually had to flip the single over as quick as you could in order to witness an almost uninterrupted composition. Those were the days of beautiful arty sleeves and primitive record players and tatty speakers. Come the CD where every single disc is in fact a "master" recording in itself. CD-singles are mainly manufactured for the benefit of the radio deejay with most of them turning towards mp3s anyway. So the idea behind a CD-single as opposed to its older vinyl brother is no longer the same. Especially in the prog area you can ask yourself why on earth a band should release a single in the first place?

Magenta is one of the few bands that has released some singles over the years. Mind you, these singles were decent EPs, or in some cases even mini-albums, with Broken containing 5 tracks; "I'm Alive" having 4 tracks and 1 video; "Night And Day" holding 4 tracks and the recent single "Speechless" containing 3 different mixes and 1 video. When we go back to the band's humble beginnings they surprised everyone big time when in May 2001 they released their debut album as a double CD entitled Revolutions. For sure the Magenta profile was that of a band for whom the word "epic" was second nature. That might have been one of the ideas behind the singles because it enabled the band to step away from the longer tracks. Also it gave them a chance to record and release hot new ideas almost instantly as opposed to wait for a whole year or more before they could try and fit it onto a new studio album. With some of the shorter songs having become firm stage favourites, and a slightly different line-up next to the fact that prog enthusiasts are not that keen on buying singles, Magenta big chief Rob Reed thought it would be a good idea to re-record the singles material and release it as a proper album.

With the band having switched to Tiger Moth Records, The Singles acts both as a welcome for the new label as well as a retrospective for the old label. It's like ending a certain era and entering a new one on the strength of the new "Speechless" track. Although Rob and the band think this song has chart potential, I wasn't "Speechless" when I listened to it several times. It has strong hooks and as always the playing is excellent but I don't think this is the right material for top 40 exposure. I think it should be shorter whilst missing an ingenious gimmick. What sets Magenta apart from most bands is their natural talent to write fantastic melodies and wonderful orchestrations and arrangements. Take the acoustic "Anger" on which Christina's vocals balance like a rope-dancer on barbed wire. This is sheer magic and one of those songs that could feature on a zillion compilation albums aimed at lovers around the world. Surely one of my many Magenta favourites.

Equally charming most certainly has to be the incredible "Lemminkainen's Lament." With a quality that is reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters, this song grabs you from the very first second, aided by the lush string parts and the superb guitar solo. It most certainly is the ideal proof that Rob Reed is nothing less than a musical genius. Magenta also uses orchestral interventions in order to give extra depth, emotion and power to their original material as happens in "King Of The Skies." It's also one of their more straightforward rock 'n' roll songs and a great live cracker.

"More with less" most certainly is a phrase that can be used for Magenta, as the opening for "Call Me" illustrates. A solitary piano and Christina's vocals is all you need to create a perfect atmosphere opening tons of possibilities to help develop the song. Often labelled to be the new Renaissance, Christina and Annie Haslam joined forces on a unique single called "Night And Day." On this album you get the version that is sung by Christina only, so fans of Renaissance still have to search for the original single I'm afraid. We also note the wonderful inclusion of Troy Donockley's uilleann pipes here. Splendid!

Next to the eleven "singles," three more bonus tracks have been added, the first being the instrumental "Opus 3" focussing on church organ: a superb piece of craftsmanship. If they would play this kind of music in a church nearby I'd visit on a daily basis! A Magenta album without a long track doesn't really sound right; the guys must have thought so they added the full 13 minute version of "Pride." For people who only got to know the shorter tracks "Pride" gives them a good idea of what Magenta is really about as this song includes all the ingredients that make the band such a treat. I particularly like the great Squire-like approach by Dan Fry. As proof of their ability to submit soundtracks, the final track "Sloth" comes in an orchestral mix which includes the right feel to go together with images. It's not because Magenta is a six piece that you get overproduced material. Each and every musician in this band knows his place and sometimes takes a step back in order to find the best balance. For sure Magenta is band I truly treasure.

I really hope The Singles introduces Magenta to people who otherwise might never have known the band. My big hope however is that Magenta will be given a chance to record and/or perform with a real symphonic orchestra once. For sure this will leave all of us "speechless"! From start till finish: unrivalled world class!

Tracklisting:
Speechless / Anger / Broken / Lemminkainen's Lament / I'm Alive / Cold / King Of The Skies / Call Me / Night And Day / Essence Of Love / Sunshine Saviour / Bonus tracks: Opus 3 / Pride (Full Version) / Sloth (Orchestral Mix)

Musicians:
Rob Reed - keyboards, guitar
Christina - vocals
Chris Fry - guitars
Martin Rosser - guitars
Dan Fry - bass
Allan Mason-Jones - drums

Guests:

Troy Donockley - uilleann pipes and flutes (9)
Tim Robinson - drums (13)
Stephan Rhys Williams - vocals (11)

Discography:
Revolutions (2001)
Seven (2004)
Broken (EP) (2004)
Another Time... Another Place (2004)
I'm Alive (EP) (2004)
Home (2006)
Night And Day (w/Annie Haslam) (2006)
New York Suite (2006)
The Singles (2007)
Metamorphosis (2008)
Live At The Point 2007 (2008)
Seven (ltd CD/DVD, remixed/remastered) (2009)
Live At Read World (CD/DVD) (2010)
The Gathering (2010)
Chameleon (2011)
Live: On OUr Way To Knows Where (2012)
The Lizard King E.P. (EP) (2013)
The Twenty Seven Club (CD/DVD) (2013)
Trojan E.P. (2017)
We Are Legend (2017)
We Are Legend - The Instrumentals (digital only) (2017)
We Are Seven: Live 2018 (digital only) (2018)
Home - 2019 Limited Edition (digital only) (2019)
Magenta & Friends: Acapela 2017 (digital only) (2019)
Magenta & Friends: Acapela 2016 (digital only) (2019)
The Lost Reel (2020)
Masters Of Illusion (CD/DVD, digital) (2020)
Live At Rockfield Studios (digital only) (2020)
Masters of Illusion - The Instrumentals (digital only) (2020)
Angels And Damned - 20th Anniversary Show (CD/DVD) (2021)
Songs From The Big Room E.P. (digital only) (2021)
The White Witch - A Symphonic Trilogy (2022)

The Gathering (DVD) (2005)
The Metamorphosis Collection (DVD) (2008)
Live At The Point 2007 (DVD) (2009)
Chaos From The Stage (DVD) (2016)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: July 2nd 2007
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: magenta.bandcamp.com
Hits: 3187
Language: english