Top 10 Magellan Songs

Feature Photo: Jaime Grech Santos

Our Top 10 Magellan Songs list looks back at the songs of a great progressive rock band formed in the mood 1980s. The group Magellan was founded by two brothers named Trent and Joel Wayne Gardner. The brothers hailed from the city of San Francisco, California The two brothers released seven albums between 1985 and 2007. The group’s sound was very reminiscent of 1970s progress rock acts like Yes and King Crimson, The band even recorded an album with King Crimson’s Tony Levin. The band’s subject matter was very much based on past historical figures and events. Sadly, both brothers passed away in the mid-2010s. Our Top 10 Magellan Songs list celebrates some of their finer moments on record.

# 10 – Invisible Bright Man

We open up our top 10 Magellan songs list with the grooving very modern sounding song entitled ” Invisible Bright Man.” The song was released on the album entitled Innocent God. It was the group’s seventh album. It also stands as the last studio album the band released. The album featured musicians Trent Gardner on vocals and keyboards, Wayne Gardner on vocals, guitar and bass and Robert Berry on guitar, bass and drums. The song “Invisible Bright Man,” was the album’s opening track. The group sound like a cross between Asia and King Crimson on this track.

# 9 – War Drum (This Ain’t America)

As we continue to explore the great Magellan catalog on our top 10 Magellan songs list we take a listen to the intense bass driven song entitled “War Drum (This Ain’t America).” There is so much going on in this song. The keyboards run parallel to the guitar lines as the drums are just flying all over the place. This is progressive rock for the 2010s. It’s just stunning stuff. Check out the guitar solo at the three minute mark. The song reminds us very much of the work of Robert Fripp.

# 8 -Brother’s Keeper

In the number eight spot on our top 10 Magellan songs list we present the song entitled ” “Brother’s Keeper.” The song was released on the album One Hundred Year Flood The album was released in 2002. This is probably one of the most underrated progressive rock albums of all time. If this record was released in the 1970s it would have been huge. There were some legendary musicians who played on this entire album. The album featured Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull on flute. It also featured the great Joe Franco of Twisted Sister on drums. Tony Levin of King Crimson fame played bass on the album. Of course, the record also featured founding members Trent Gardner and Wayne Gardner as well as Richard Berry and George Bellas. “Brothers Keeper,” was the album’s closing track.

# 7 -Cranium Reef Suite

In the number seven position on our top 10 Magellan songs list is this very inspirational wonderful piece of music entitled “Cranium Reef Suite.” The suite was released on the album entitled Symphony for a Misanthrope. The album was released in 2005. This amazing album also featured the legendary Steve Walsh from the band Kansas who has sung lead vocals on songs such as “Carry On Wayward Son,” and “Dust in the Wind.” The album featured regular members Trent Gardner, Wayne Gardner and Richard Berry.

# 6 – Gameface

Arriving in the number six spot on our top 10 Magellan songs list we present the song “Gameface.” The band starts this one with some hearty guitar riffs and impeccable harmonies. The song was released on the album entitled Test of Wills. The album was released in 1997. This was the group’s third album. The album also featured Brad Kaiser on drums. This is a smoking tune that dances all over the place with the group’s iconic guitar meets keyboard riffs. Brad Kaiser’s drum grooves add a little bit of a different dimension to the group’s sound on this album.

# 5 – Union Jack

In the number five spot on our top 10 Magellan songs list is the marvelous song entitled “Union Jack.” The song was issued on the album entitled Hour Of Restoration. The album was released in 2005. The band seems very much inspired by the band Yes on their debut album. Especially on this track. At almost ten minutes long, “Union Jack,” stands as the second longest track on the album

# 4 – Family Jewels

At the number four spot on our top 10 Magellan songs list we present the song entitled “Family Jewels.” This spellbinding instrumental track opens up with the sensational Ian Anderson making magic with his iconic flute playing. The song was released on the album entitled Hundred Year Flood. The album was released in 2002. This amazing piece of music is a magnificent instrumental that builds over time into a glorious progressive rock extravaganza. Don’t miss this one!

# 3 -Estadium Nacional

As we move along on our top 10 Magellan songs list we present the song entitled “Estadium Nacional.”The song was released on the album entitled Impending Ascension. The album was released in 1994. It was the band’s second album. This is a very intense progressive rock piece that stands as the opening track from the album.

# 2 – The Great Goodnight

Before we get to the top spot on our top 10 Magellan songs list we go back one more time to the grand One Hundred Year Flood album. “The Great Goodnight” was the album’s opening track The piece of music is actually broken down into thirteen separate parts. The entire suite is almost thirty-five minutes along. This is just simply jaw-dropping music and it will blow your mind if you have never heard this before.

# 1 – Magna Carter

We close out our top 10 Magellan songs list with the epic suite entitled “Magna Carter.” The song was released on the album entitled Hour Of Restoration. The album was released in 1991. It was the opening track on the album. It’s 14 minutes of progressive rock glory. You could hear the sounds Yes, Genesis, Emerson Lake and Palmer, King Crimson and so many other great progressive rock bands that have released music throughout the classic rock era. What a way for the band to start out on their first album with this amazing piece of music.