Magic Pie - Circus of Life (2007)

Posted By : shike | Date : 02 Mar 2010 11:29:57 | Comments : 4 |

“

This is one of those rare albums that grabs you by the ears on first listen then improves with every playing. A stunningly eclectic song cycle, Circus of Life has so much going on that it's likely to appeal equally to fans of 70's melodic prog, British folkrock, ambient space music, fusion and symphonic rock.
The album, the second by this tight Norwegian sextet, comprises three epic pieces - the 46-minute, five-part title suite and two shorter tracks, "Pointless Masquerade" and "Watching the Waters". Each is packed with so many melodic hooks you can almost hum along with some passages on first listen. The centerpiece, "Circus of Life", is a wildly diverse romp that melds Gentle Giant-ish chorale figures, flamenco guitar breaks, Brahmsian symphonic passages, heavy prog workouts and Beatles-esque harmonies. Unpredictable and endlessly creative, Magic Pie simoultaneously embraces the conventions of classic prog, while also expandning the genre's boundaries. Highest recommendation.

”

Tracklist:
Circus of Life (1-5):
01. Pt. I - Welcome
02. Pt. II - Freakshow
03. Pt. III - What If...
04. Pt. IV - Trick of the Mind
- Act I - Song of Decision
- Act II - Song of Anger
- Act III - Song of Sharing
- Act IV - Face to Face
05. Pt. V - The Clown
06. Pointless Masquerade
07. Watching the Waters