Customer Reviews

Impossible Figures

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Along with Neal Morse Testimony, this is the best prog release of 2003. It's all in magellan vein but with a new musical focus. Killer of Hope is an epic one. The highlights are in the Trent Gardner voice, and in Wayne bass parts!!The best we reached on Late for church, a kansas oriented song!! Killer Of Hope" is a testament to their worthiness as world-class musicians and writers of complex compositions. The catch-all in their music is the way it changes so quickly. Trent will play a beautifully classical passage on his keyboards, quickly it shifts to Wayne banging out sweeping and crushing blows from his six-string, then suddenly it all comes together creating a supernova of musical bliss. It is like watching a volcano flowing from far away, it looks like its moving slow, then you find yourself standing right at the edge of the opening at the top of the mountain were the explosion is forcing out the hot molten lava from the center of the earth incredibly fast. That is what Magellan's music is like. Now that is powerful.
Like progressive rock? This band is one of very best in the world so get this CD.

I took a chance on this album because they are carried by InsideOut Music. I was not disappointed. There is great musical talent and impressive song writing. Since I am a huge fan of YES, Genesis, and Spock's Beard, I enjoyed the multiple layers of sound on this CD. I even think that track 9 was meant to be a sort of tribute to Starship Trooper (the ending instrumental is extremely similar--I loved it).

I love epic prog, but if you feel like a break from 15+ minute songs then this might be a good alternative. It certainly is better than the garbage coming out of the radio stations.

I've owned this cd for quite a while now, but i thought i'd put in my two cents. though i don't own much magellan, this is by far my favorite of their releases up to now and this includes side projects.

Anyone who considers themselves a fan of progressive rock, should pick this album up. there's songs you may have to listen to a few times to like, but once they hook in, they don't let go easy. there are also some great instrumental parts on this album as well.

I think the statement in one of the previous reviews "doesn't fall prey to long, boring epics with a million ideas like many prog bands" is the exact antithesis to good prog rock (except the boring part, of course). Progressive music is supposed to be full of changes, complexities, different time signatures, instrumentation, etc. Do you know what you get when you remove all of these elements? Just plain rock 'n roll . . . and you can get THAT anywhere. Magellan is one of the many, many, many underexposed bands of this genre, and although Test of Wills is still my favorite Magellan album, this album is well put together, thoughtfully composed and HUGE on talent (I even like the new drummer). Long is good. Complex is good. BOMBAST is very good!

Along with Neal Morse Testimony, this is the best prog release of 2003. It's all in magellan vein but with a new musical focus. Killer of Hope is an epic one. The highlights are in the Trent Gardner voice, and in Wayne bass parts!!The best we reached on Late for church, a kansas oriented song!! Killer Of Hope" is a testament to their worthiness as world-class musicians and writers of complex compositions. The catch-all in their music is the way it changes so quickly. Trent will play a beautifully classical passage on his keyboards, quickly it shifts to Wayne banging out sweeping and crushing blows from his six-string, then suddenly it all comes together creating a supernova of musical bliss. It is like watching a volcano flowing from far away, it looks like its moving slow, then you find yourself standing right at the edge of the opening at the top of the mountain were the explosion is forcing out the hot molten lava from the center of the earth incredibly fast. That is what Magellan's music is like. Now that is powerful.
Like progressive rock? This band is one of very best in the world so get this CD.

Clearly their best and most cohesive album since the 2 early albums ('Hour of Restoration', 'Impending Ascension'). Don't be fooled by the shorter songs - this is classic Magellan all the way.

Magellan have managed yet again to find an excellent drummer (Jason Gianni) to play Trent Gardner's incredibly complex twists and turns. But Wayne Gardner steals the show on this album. His rock solid guitar and bass work really shine. Trent's vocals and keyboards are good as always (wish he would use a real Hammond though).

The change in labels from Magna Carta to InsideOut has apparently been a good move, because this album sounds much better sonically than typical Magna Carta releases do.

In short, if you are already a Magellan-head, you should feel right at home with this.

Perhaps this is their best effort so far...a mature work, whose definition within a "metal progressive genre" is becoming narrow after a repetitive listen!! They are influenced from US Bands like Kansas or Mastermind, but also from the classical excerpts by Jethro Tull (listen to "Counterpoints")and ELP (listen to "Confessor's Overture")..a couple of "aggressive" and quite skillful musicians, such Gardner brothers (already famous within our preferred "progressive genre")... in particular the track "Halluncination Suite Part 1 - Uppers and Downers" is their best instrumental, with good ambient keyboards and a drum solo as well!!

At the end I can not recommend this work as an original and particular creative work, but it's a true "Magellan trademark", that is a typical US Metal Progressive sound, influenced by such symphonic progressive rock in the vein of ELP...make your personal choice!!

Although I've been familiar with the band Magellan for a few years, I never really heard any of their music until now with the release of their latest album "Impossible Figures". With nothing to compare it to, I can honestly say that this band has released an extraordinary effort.
Magellan is a two-piece group consisting of brothers Trent and Wayne Gardner. Trent is the main songwriter, keyboardist and lead singer. Wayne is the guitarist. The band displays an original brand of progressive rock that is heavily influenced by the likes of Jethro Tull and Kansas. Trent's vocals at times sound like Ian Anderson while Wayne displays some similarities to Martin Barre.
Standout tracks include the 10-minute "Killer Of Hope", "Late For Church", the very Keith Emerson-like "Confessor's Overture", the Kansas-esque "Hymn For a Heathen" and the Tull-influenced "Counterpoints".
The limited edition of the album comes in a hard-cover CD booklet and features an excellent instrumental bonus track "Halluncination Suite Part 1 - Uppers and Downers". Musically, this track is less psychedelic than it's actual title. It combines ambient keyboards with driving rock rhythms and finishes with a drum solo.
"Impossible Figures" is definitely a great first buy for those just discovering Magellan. These gifted brothers definitely have an original sound that's influenced by the greats. It's worth checking out.

"Impossible Figures" is Magellan's first release for their new record company and is ( in my humble opinion ) their best release yet! Right from the start you can hear they've condensed their already solid ideas into shorter yet more powerful songs. They don't fall prey to long, boring epics with a million ideas like many prog bands do. Instead they have just the right amount to keep things interesting but not too repetitive. The second track, "Killer of Hope" is the longest at 10 minutes and is perhaps the heaviest tune on the disc. "Late for Church" and "Feel the Cross" are also somewhat heavy but not in a way that imitate Dream Theater like so many other groups. Magellan has had their own unique sound from the start and they've developed it even further with this album. "Hymn for a Heathen" sounds a shade like classic Kansas while "A World Groove" employs a vast array of prog/world ideas in just under 7 minutes. There's even a horn section in "Bach 16"! Real ones too, not canned. The limited edition bonus pack has a extra track as well. There's ten tunes over all and I love everyone!
With great artwork and a killer production you can't go wrong getting this release. The new drummer ( Jason Gianni ) is masterful on the sticks too. Don't let the naysayer here ( a drummer who was rejected from playing for Magellan ) convince you Magellan is terrible. Magellan is awesome! "Impossible Figures" is Magellan in true form and is one of the year's best disc. Go buy it now!

I read the previous reviewer's comments, which I felt were a bit skewed, especially given that it was the only review, and felt it would keep people from listening to the album for themselves. Otherwise, I might not have been drawn to make this review myself.

First of all, while it is true that Magellan isn't a true band in the sense that Dream Theater or Marillion are real bands, nevertheless, the music recorded on these albums is performed by real musicians, with dynamics and tone that are very characteristic of a band that reveres precision and clarity. Second, I will admit that their music lacks a certain raw quality that one generally expects from a progressive metal act, but I think that Magellan aren't quite as metal as they are progressive, which suits me fine.

Their one serious vice is that, just perhaps, their music does sound a little too clinical at times (Not a problem if you have any interest in modern jazz or Twentieth Century music, which Magellan manages to evoke on occasion). However, it's not fair to say that the music has no hook or bite. Their sound is probably closest to Trevor Rabin-era Yes, if you like that sort of thing, and you can hardly say that music wasn't hook-laden or punchy. And their vocalist is quite adequate for what they do. I've heard other neo-prog acts with far less adequate vocalists than this.

Magellan isn't a favourite band of mine (I'm not a huge fan of music that has strong Christian themes in its lyrics), so I won't drag this out. The point is, if you like progressive rock music, and are in the mood for something a bit newer sounding than The Flower Kings, but something a little less edgy than Porcupine Tree, feel free to give this album a try. If that goes well, you might consider giving Test of Wills a try, which has a more live-in-studio-band feel to it. Good luck.