The "club of 27", or in other words the list of artists who died suddenly and with a disturbing coincidence in their 27th year, is the theme of Magenta's 6th studio album, for which the trio Reed/Booth/Fry has enlisted the services of the talented Andy Edwards (IQ, Frost*) behind the drums.
After a rather average Chameleon , announced as a parenthesis in the band's career, Magenta offers us a collection of 6 tracks evoking the fateful fates of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, Robert Johnson and Kurt Cobain, all of whom died before their time. But more than the underlying concept, it's on the music side that the band comes back to its basics, by delivering us long songs, with numerous developments, carried by Christina Booth's vocals, and reminding as well Seven and Revolutions, as the famous New-York Suite.
Naturally, Rob Reed and his acolytes take us back to shores where references to the glorious old days, and notably Yes and Genesis, prove to be numerous (this is particularly obvious on Ladyland Blues). The multiple themes present, as usual, very elaborate arrangements whose complexity does not constitute an obstacle for the listener, while the instrumental sequences allow the three "boys" to compete in technicality, but without ever putting aside the melodic aspect of the title in which they evolve.
And when Magenta puts aside its more progressive aspects, it is to deliver a magnificent ballad in homage to Janis Joplin, where Christina's voice makes us shiver with pleasure (Pearl), while Chris Fry draws real tears from his six-strings in a poignant solo, with devilishly "Gilmourien" accents. A short interlude before the gentleman comes back for an incredible "Stoned" which, like The Lizard King, contains just about all the ingredients that make any progressive rock lover happy: musicality, complexity, technicality and multiple twists and turns.
Incredibly rich, this new album will require several listenings before penetrating the listener's subconscious in a lasting way. Beyond a first immediate effect, happiness and emotions will gradually come into everyone's mind, demonstrating, if there was still any need, that Magenta is not only a true progressive rock band, but that beyond this simple label, it is quite simply part of the very big ones of this (small) world.