The Magic Lantern: The Magic Lantern

The Magic Lantern
The Magic Lantern
Burnt Toast Vinyl
2007-01-09

Swedish outfit The Magic Lantern has two songs on this EP, and one of the song titles could take you a minute or two just to say. At 20-minutes, the EP opens with a 12-minute epic called (deep breath) “In the Wet Morning Dew with Bare Feet and an Open Palm, When the Dark Clouds Gather and the Storm Is Closing In, Memento Mori”. This begins with acoustic guitar a la classic Pink Floyd. Featuring Krister Mortsell of former hardcore band Soapbox, the music is quite peaceful and tranquil, although gradually gets a bit more ominous as the six members in the band improvise throughout. Think of some current day homage to “Echoes” and you should get the gist of this song’s core. Unlike Mogwai who would probably tear this song a new derriere early on, The Magic Lantern stick to their formula and it’s quite successful until the last two minutes when they let loose. “Stories to Be Told in a Cabin by the Lake”, at eight minutes, is just as pleasing, following much the same blueprint as the first track. Here the guitar is front and center, resembling tunes by Explosions In The Sky or Godspeedyoublackemperor. It’s a memorable and very pretty 20-minute effort.

RATING 7 / 10