RECORD COLLECTOR
(UK)
JULY 2000

Simon Ward

Previously a floating collective whose singles have included collaborations with Hefner's Darren Hayman and Low, among others, Piano Magic have now settled on a three-piece line-up for their third album. There are three orchestral-style overtures during the course of the album, which may sound pretentious, but in actual fact are very poignant. This is a big, cathedral-size work, with echoey drums, and choral style-vocals on "A Return To The Sea." The graceful "You & John Are Birds" and the pastoral "The Index" are just two examples of classical stylings successfully adapted to contemporary music. Classic English folk music for the 21st Century on a beautiful, haunting album.