MAGNATAR

 My Thoughts on Magnatar and Their New Album, "Parallel Worlds" 

By Dave Rauschenberger, Guitars, Keys and Vocals for Fake News, Formerly Catfood 

"I'm kind of an "inside baseball" guy, when it comes to Magnatar. I've been playing music with bassist and founder Joey Costa for more than thirty five years. He is my favorite bass player ever. Playing on the same stage with Joey is a treat every time. No matter what bass guitar Joey plays, it always sounds like Joey. I'm honored to play with such a talented musician. Magnatar leader and visionary Glenn Smith played guitar with us for many years before his transformation into electric mandolin and composing wonderful pieces of music. He was deeply influenced by Steve Ewing my mentor and lifelong friend. They (Joey, Glenn and Steve) are all Yes fanatics. I must admit, I'm not. And I think that's why I have a unique perspective on "Parallel Worlds". I'm also not a Prog guy. But I'm a big fan of this band and this album.  

David Norton was the keyboardist for Fantasia. They were THE band to see play live in my mid to late teens in Central Florida in the early and mid 1970's. I had a mustache and could get in to see them years before I was "legal". David was fantastic. I only met him a few years ago, when Magnatar began to refine the album material and assemble the studio gear needed to record such a fantastic album. His textures and melodic lines run through this album like a thread that holds each composition together.  

I recall Joey telling me about a "kid" playing with him in church more than a decade ago. He was into Rush and Dream Theatre. Years later, Ryan Rivas came to one of our practices and played a bit. It reminded me of seeing Jeff Beck live. Not that Ryan sounds anything like Beck. I just wanted to sell all my guitars and give up. He's incredibly talented and creative. As I understand it, "Rivas" (as he's known by his friends) had an integral part in the production and recording of "Parallel Worlds". His proficiency and creativity are undeniable. And he only expands his voice on his instrument.  

Finally, I remember my cousin telling me about a drummer I needed to see. The first time I saw Reed Hayes I think he was all of 16 years old. His meter was perfect and he was every bit as good as any drummer I'd ever seen. Years later, I saw him in a Rush tribute band at a local college. I watched Reed the entire time. He's not a drummer. He's a percussionist and a creative musician. The dynamics of "Parallel Worlds" are controlled by Reed. I hear something I didn't hear before, every time I listen to the album. 

And that bit of history gets me to this point and the album. Dave Norton asked me if I would consider expanding on a comment I posted on Facebook regarding my impression of the album.  I mentioned that the album is best enjoyed by listening to it in it's entirety. And that's an old-school thing. I remember radio station WORJ in Orlando, FL,  back in the 70's playing entire album sides. They would also play full albums as well. I remember them playing Fragile by Yes all the way through. Aqualung by Jethro Tull was introduced to me by "ORJ". King Crimson, Genesis (w/ Gabriel and Hackett), and many other progressive bands were introduced to me on FM stations that understood that artists compose and arrange their songs to be heard in order in their entirety. The only way I have listened to "Parallel Worlds" is all the way through. There's no "single" for me. And Dave tells me that was pointed and intentional. This album is no throwback, however. It's the future of progressive music. The exposure they've already received isn't surprising or unexpected. It's well deserved.  

I've always found the describing music via written thought is suspect at best. I could attempt to walk you through the compositions and try to do each "justice" with the written word. But that, my friends, is a fool's errand. You must listen to this album and listen to it in it's entirety. It flows. It tells a story. And it's the first offering from a band hidden in a small town in DeLand, Florida.  

This collaborative effort by a group of guys I just call "friends" is a period piece. The next challenge for them will be to match or exceed this great album. I encourage you to check it out. The greatest compliment I can give has nothing to do with the fantastic and obvious "chops" these guys have.  

Magnatar's "Parallel Worlds" is one of my favorite albums in recent memory. I don't have a favorite song. I set aside about an hour and enjoy the musical creation of some of my very good friends through my very expensive studio headphones. And I look forward to the next album. Did I mention how great they are live? " 

Favorite Song on the Album:  

The album in it's entirety...