Disappointing.
This album was originally released in 2010, but only became available worldwide in March 2012 through the usual internet outlets: although a promotional copy has only just found its way to Fireworks and Rocktopia for review.
Magentic formed in Israel in 2003 as a standard tribute band, but then began crafting their own progressively orientated material with diverse influences and in 2006 began work on their debut album. Four years in the making, concept album ‘In The Dream’ is a 23-song set spread over two discs. When I saw they were a progressive band with shared male and female lead vocals I was eagerly anticipating something along the likes of Mostly Autumn. Sadly not!
Several styles such as Rock, Punk, Funk, Grunge and Classical are all incorporated into the Magentic sound, which creates a variety of moods, but also gives the music an overall cluttered and disjointed feel. Throwing in some occasional off-kilter vocals and lyrics that range from odd to weird to often downright bizarre doesn’t bode well for an enjoyable listening experience – and I couldn’t even begin to explain the storyline running through the album; but with song-titles like ‘Slap The Monkey To Sleep’ and ‘Raging Hormones And Surging Endorphins’ it’s probably best not to try. I know it wouldn’t be progressive music without pushing some boundaries, but there are just too many extreme diversities within the music for it to work as a whole. Certain parts of the music are entertaining enough, but then they’re counteracted by parts that are just plain irritating, and come across as too damn smug for their own good.
Disappointing is the only way I can summarise an album that on the face of it seemed to have plenty of potential.
Ant Heeks
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