The Magpie Salute – High Water I 

Release Date: August 10, 2018 via Eagle Rock Entertainment (U.S.), Mascot Label Group (Europe/Australia/New Zealand) and Sony (Japan)

August 3, 2018

Magic.

Sometimes when different people come together, they wind up creating something that is not only worthwhile..  but every now and again they create something special.  That’s what happened when Rich Robinson, Marc Ford, John Hogg, Sven Pipien, Matt Slocum and Joe Magistro got together at the Dark Horse Recording Studio just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.

After touring and playing set after epic set without a studio album release, these guys took from all of their prior experiences and recorded an album that is honest to goodness Rock and Roll.  They really have something to be proud of here.

Led by Robinson as producer, High Water I is a twelve song offering that showcases groove, dynamic and emotion.  This powerful rhythm section features Joe Magistro on drums and Sven Pipien on Bass.  The groove these guys lay down is infectious and I found myself moving along with their energy.

On both sides of the speakers is the unmistakable guitar tone of Marc Ford and Rich Robinson.  These guys really compliment each other so well.  Rounding out the bands huge sound is Matt Slocum on the keys.  Not only will you hear bitchin’ guitars and smooth piano, you will hear the natural tones of acoustic guitars and rock organs mixed together.  How’s that for dynamic?

John Hogg’s unique and soulful voice lays over the top of the songs.  Sometimes it just floats there on songs like High Water and Sister Moon.  Then sometimes it powers its way right to the front on songs like Send Me An Omen and Take It All.  Whatever your vocal preference, John’s voice bleeds emotion with every word he sings.

The album gets off to a strong start with Mary The Gypsy.  Magistro’s tom driven beat along with the staccato and lead guitars by Robinson and Ford get this record cooking quickly.  After the trance-worthy High Water, we get the first single, Send Me An Omen.  This song really has it all in terms of a good rock song.  It’s an extremely radio friendly, up tempo song.  Vocally it’s one of the best performances on the entire album.  The chorus backing vocals are also such a treat.  I can imagine many people belting out those “ba-ba’s” at a show.  It has killer leads that are dropped in, in all the right places.  Then the bridge gives us a subtle breakdown and that amazing sounding electric piano.  One of the best choices for a “song three” I’ve seen in a long time.

The next song is my personal favorite on the album.  For The Wind is an amazing mix of beauty and power.  The beginning of the song starts with a warm acoustic guitar and eventually is accompanied by a piano and nice cymbal work.  It really is a thing of beauty.  Then, the power.  The body of the snare cuts through the mix as the guitars and John’s voice soar.  The chorus provides maybe the hardest moment of the record.  Especially at the end of each chorus when there is a distorted and fuzzy turn around just waiting for you.

Sister Moon and Color Blind end the top half of the album.  Color Blind is a deeply personal song for singer John Hogg as he writes about his experience growing up, coming from African and Swedish decent.  It’s such a great listen lyrically as well as musically.

After the energetic Take It All we have what I think is hands down the best road trip song, Walk On Water.  It just has that introspective feel and wants to keep moving along.  “Walk on Water, let it all go.  Walk on water step into the unknown.”  Sort of like driving down a highway for the first time.

Back beat, a slide guitar and a tambourine is all you need to know about Hand In Hand.  This song has an old school feel and is a lot of fun.  We then get to the slow tempo, dream-like song, You Found Me.  This is another example of John’s voice perfectly floating above the song.

They bring this album to a close with Can You See and Open Up.  The former has some great lead guitar work flowing into a chorus that really opens up and seems to widen even more.  Pipien’s bass guitar during the chorus and outro excels as he works up the fret board.  Open Up is the last song.  In my opinion, a great album closer.  After this song was finished it left me wanting to hear more.  The verses provide a nice thick acoustic guitar and soft harmonies while the chorus gives us that and much more.  This song just grooves along for the entire 3:57.

There will be a High Water II in 2019 sometime and after previewing this first album, I am excited to hear what’s next.  In the meantime, though, I will enjoy this record.  The next time I put my headphones on and crank the volume, I will close my eyes and get lost in the album’s magic.

-Tommy Marz

Follow @Tommy and @SoundVapors on Twitter.

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