Everybody has a few bands/artists that when they release a new recording; you just go out and buy it. You don't need to "test" it at a friend's house first, or hear a track on the radio; you just know it's going to be good. Well, I have found the same feeling but not by a specific artist, it's a record company called "Magna Carta." The good folks at MC produce a strict diet of progressive rock. And let me tell you this, they definitely know the definition.

What I'm getting at here is a new release from Magna Carta called "Frog Pest Tree." As it says on the cover, it is "a compilation of today's leading progressive rock artists." It's a pretty fitting title, seeing how all the songs on it are from releases on the Magna Carta label. Basically, what you have here is a collection of kick-butt, in your face, progressive rock. MC has taken a stand out song from each of 12 of their releases, and packed them all together onto one CD.

I felt that with a compilation CD, I would use my good friend "MetalGod's" approach to reviewing, and do a song by song breakdown. So here we go...

1. Dark Corners - BOZZIO LEVENS STEVENS - Black Light Syndrome 8:31
The best song from the acclaimed BLS disc. No vocals, no flash pods, no hair spray, just the raw progressive meat.
2. Out Of Nowhere - SHADOW GALLERY - Tyranny 4:25
Very much guitar oriented, with fast fret board scaling, excessive distortion on the axe. Similar to the Dream Theater sound. Good vocals too.
3. Impact 3 No Returning - EXPLORERS CLUB - Age of Impact 4:37
Very deep, low undertones on this heavy guitar sound. The more I listen, the more I like! I love the riff that plays through out the song. Really nice CLEAN soloing as well. These guys rock.
4. Angels And rage - CAIRO - Conflict and Dreams 5:01
A "dramatic" feel to this song, kinda like the late 70's RUSH feel. It's a bit to keyboard heavy for my taste though. The guitarist is really buried by the keys, except for a nice solo.
5. Scapula - ATTENTION DEFICIT - Attention Deficit 5:13
An instrumental tune. Fantastic duel bass and guitar runs. Great bass player here, drums kicks butt too. Just a cool tune. I love instrumental rock...I love this song.
6. Bold John Barleycorn - CALIBAN - Caliban 2:53
Uhh...this is Irish Folk music; it just sounds a bit modern. Is it shred? Uh...no. Why is it on this CD...uh... I don't know.
7. Jacko - MAGELLAN - Test of Wills 4:23
A cross between Jethro Tull and Yes. Does it shred? No. Is it a cool song? Yes. But, where is the shred? GIVE ME THE SHRED!!
8. Tearing Down The World - Royal Hunt - Paradox 5:32
Reminds me of the big hair band "Europe". Keys and guitar are really in sync here. Nice riffs, great solo. But, A bit too heavy on the keys for me. Still, an enjoyable song.
9. Ashen Days - DALI'S DILEMMA - Manifesto for Futurism 5:27
SHRED SHRED SHRED!! YES! This rocks. Great vocals, the whole band is just great. Keep your eyes on these guys, they are HOT! Great time signature changes, can you say "progressive"?
10. Jacobites By Name - TEMPEST - the 10th Anniversary Compilation 4:12
Jethro Tull with an extra pinch of shred. I have heard other songs from these guys, and like them a lot. This song does not do them justice, but its still good. Like Tull? You'll LOVE these guys!
11. Join - ICE AGE - The Great Divide 5:43
SHRED! YES!! Reminds me of '78-'80 RUSH. This is real progressive rock. BUY THEIR CD! Lots of time signatures, great recording in the studio, great mix. Very melodic axe work.
12. Freedom of Speech - LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT - Liquid Tension Experiment 9:19
Need I tell you how great this song is? John Petrucci is a guitar god. We all know it. "We're not worthy"! Progressive instrumental rock at its best!

I will end this review with a discussion of the price of this CD. Wouldn't it be great if this were under $10? How about if it were under $8? Well, how about under $5? Get this, the guys at Magna Carta have this available on their website (http://www.magnacarta.net) for $4.98!!! Really! Would I lie to you? I am very glad this is a part of my collection. It's the one that everybody wants to borrow.

CUL8R,
Thingfish