The Troubled Sleep Of Piano Magic by Piano Magical Track List: Saint Marie 5:40 The Unwritten Law 3:20 Speed the Road, Rush the Lights 7:44 Help Me Warm This Frozen Heart 4:32 I Am the Teachers Son 6:29 The End of a Dark, Tired Year 5:01 The Tollbooth Martyrs 5:17 When Im Done, This Night Will Fear Me 5:05 Luxembourg Gardens 7:27 Comets 3:46 Piano Magic are an alternative, indie band. Very indie. And incase any of you are wondering, and what I honestly tout when I was buying this, no this is not a piano classical jazz concept album, its actually further down the spectrum of popular music, however thats not a bad thing. When I buy albums, I buy on a whim, its a lucky dip, as I choose what name and concept catches my eye. The album cover is very detailed with a skull engraved onto a map, and every time I look at it, I notice more detail, you can evan see its spine! The CD coating is evan more awesome. Its a black shaded map that stands out against the cream cover slip. If I brought this for the album cover, and the music itself was poor, I’ll be happy at least. But that having being said, I am not disappointed. The Troubled Sleep Of Piano Magic was released in 2003. It is there seventh album which could mean the band has evolved a good bit. For not hearing of this band before I rely like there instrumentals segments, and I could feel an in depth piece of story telling with each song, sort of folkish and its very effective. There are two singers that feature. There’s one female vocalist who I guess is Alasdair Steer and a male vocalist, who I think is Franck Alba, but I couldn’t find enough evidence on the internet to say it is (if someone can fill in this blank, it be much appreciated!!) and there both completely different, evan the music style is different for the two. When Alasdair Steer sings, its less instrumental. Its more alternative, however I think its a way more down to earth and I honestly love this style, its soft, gentle. ‘The Unwritten Law’ is honestly one of the best songs in the album, it echo’s a genteelly told mystical story, and lyrics are well crafted. This mixes well with the groove amplified guitar. ‘Help Me Warm This Frozen Heart’ is very similar, I rely like any song that she took part in. ‘Commets’ is also pretty warm to listen too. The male vocalist is a different kettle of fish, more indie. Although the instrumental is better and impressive, I have to admit sometimes its boring. ‘I Am the Teachers Son’ is one example, I don’t know what it is, I can’t gain anything from his voice. I personally don’t like it very much, he can sing, but I don’t think its strong enough. The lyrics are ok, but in the first track, ‘Saint Marie’, you can see strait away that he’s a more poet then a singer. His best song is probably ‘When Im Done, This Night Will Fear Me’. Its his best track, the way this music progresses here more suits his voice more. This song actually reminded me of David Bowie, it has the same progressive prick of artistic sedulity, and its one of the better songs of the album. Probably I might get use to his voice, a bit like how you have to get use to Dave Pirner from Soul Asylum, he has very croaky country voice, that seems off when you first hear it, however you grow to love it, and you can’t imagine ‘Run Away Train’ being song without him. With this vocalist from Piano Magical, I might learn to love his uniqueness soon, who knows! But at least the song brush off with a sweet instrumentals after his story telling, really mellow and shows off the bands craft. Its arguably progressive, just slotting into a high place in the alternative genre. If you want to see what I mean, listen to ‘Speed The Road, Rush The Lights’. All the songs together are themed as an album whole, however can be played separate. That’s honestly an effective token for any album. Overall, I really like this album, yes it has weaknesses, that was probably because it was my first time listened to this band, and there are a few aspects of there style I have to get use to. I give this album a 4/5, and if you like early concepts by Radio Head however desire a band thats more artistic, abstract and poetic then this is the album for you. Thank you and I hope you enjoy this review, this Wednesday I’ll be reviewing The progressive band Gong and their album Flying Tea Cup!!
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 14:00:01 +0000
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