Magellan

Symphony For A Misanthrope

Inside Out Music

This little gem opens with what can only be described as some semi-cheesy orchestration offset by odd electronic effects. When it first starts to play, you think, “Oh no, not another one of these cheese-ball Prog bands,” but you quickly reconsider as the effects come pouring in on top of it all. It makes you wonder what they’re up to, and what will come next. “Why Water Weeds?” begins and you instantly feel Magellan’s true vibe.

Prog in the vein of Rush, taken to new levels by inventive lyrics, an excellent straight vocalist, average Progressive musicianship, and a front-and centre keyboardist. I don’t want to suggest that they are Rush clones, but rather to say that they start where Rush left off in the 80’s, and just take off with what’s left. They also remind me a little of Under The Sun, a small-time Prog band on Magna Carta. All that aside, Magellan’s main attribute is their song writing ability. “Cranium Reef Suite” is five seconds over 18:00, but it feels more like 10:00. “Why Water Weeds?” slides from a sort of Progressive ballad into a couple of House-beat breakdowns, then back again with considerable ease. Catchy melodies litter the five songs, and the intro and intermission serve their purposes dutifully. My one real complaint is that there should have been more full songs. Five is just not enough, regardless of length. I suppose that’s really saying something,
because with some bands, five songs is way too much. 46:59 is very scarce for a Prog album, but regardless, as a first-time Magellan listener, a deep impression has been left that will probably inspire me to pick up another album or two by them before too long. I suggest that if you don’t already own something by them, make this your starting point.

Stu Paterson.