Piano Magic are much ignored (I personally think due to their crappy name). This cd slunk passed last year without fanfare - and is their best release. It follows the harder feel of the Dark Horses ep and, due to the presence of Brendan Perry (Eye of the Hunter) and Peter Ulrich (Pathways And Dawns) (both ex- Dead Can Dance (Within the Realm of a Dying Sun))has some exotic and magical drumming. Brendan Perry sings twice and after his long absence from music this is a cool drink of water. The lyrics are rich and meaningful throughout, and Cure-ish guitars add occasional lightness.
I came to Piano Magic through "Writer's Without Homes" and "A Trick of The Sea", so I must confess to be being rather surprised when I listened to this album. Instead of the minimalism and off-centre sounds I was expecting to get I find an album which reminds me (showing my age here) of an updated mix of Joy Division and The Cure. Most of the tracks are pretty solid and do well what they are seeking to do but the final track, "Exit", reminds me most of the Piano Magic I liked and left me wishing more of the album had been like that.
So, it is a move away from the sound I liked but, perhaps, a move in to a more accessible sound for many others.