Magic Numbers - Magic Numbers

by Anthony Strutt

published: 24 / 6 / 2005

Label: Heavenly Recordings
Format: CD

intro

Classy harmony-friendly indie pop on debut album from thje much-hyped Magic Numbers, who are both loved and hated in equal measure

The debut album by The Magic Numbers is as classy an album as you would expect from a band that people either love or hate. I have seen them twice and met them twice and they are lovely people whom write lovely songs. The album kicks off with 'Morning's Eleven' which reminds me of the Who's 'You Better, You Bet' before frontman Romeo Stodart's vocal joins the track and spreads happiness and joy all around. The song tells of loneliness, and the joy that love brings to the unloved ones and empty hearted. The musicianship on this and through the whole album is stunning, a total joy to everyone's ears.The harmonies shine bright too. 'Forever Lost', the new single, is reviewed elsewhere. 'The Mule' has a slow blues feel at the start, but then gets faster, and more even paced. It has a brilliant guitar solo,. The tempo changes often, and it is cool because of it. It includes the lyrics "One more drink and I feel fine, one more girl will take you off my mind", which is pure poetry. 'Long Legs' has brilliant guitar work that sounds like Johnny Marr at his best. The rest of the track recalls summer and is very infectious. 'Love Me, Like You' is very upbeat, again infectious and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. 'Which Way to Happy'is delivered in a David Gray manner but with more strength. 'I See You, You See Me' starts off sounding like the Velvet Underground's 'Sunday Morning' and is very minimalistic with perfect harmonies, mellow bass and a drum beat that recalls Moe Tucker. Female vocals in the middle give it a Tompaulin feel. 'Don't Give Up the Fight' is a bit heavier. It is country rock at its best with great harmonies and crystal clear vocals, and, a song about never giving up on life, is perfectly delivered and classy. 'This Love' is like Leonard Cohen with a Tindersticks style violin, and is class again. 'Wheels on Fire' is sad, and sung like a camp fire sing-a-long. 'Love's a Game# sounds like a band at its peak.Instruments just blend together perfectly,playing the right notes at the right time, to perfect lyrics. 'Try' has Beach Boys harmonies and is sung like Tindersticks going on a Sunday picnic. After this finishes 7 minutes 16 seconds in, you get the Magic Number's first 7 inch, 'Hymn for Her, which again is magic. A great record.

Track Listing:-

1 Mornings Eleven
2 Forever Lost
3 The Mule
4 Long Legs
5 Love Me Like You
6 Which Way To Happy
7 I See You, You See Me
8 Don't Give Up The Fight
9 This Love
10 Wheels On Fire
11 Love's A Game
12 Try
13 (silence)
14 Hymn For Her

Label Links:-

http://www.heavenlyrecordings.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HeavenlyRecordings
https://twitter.com/heavenlyrecs
https://www.youtube.com/user/HeavenlyRecordings
http://heavenlyrecordings.com/emporium/
https://plus.google.com/112376981607361996973

interviews

Interview (2005)

The Magic Numbers have risen in just over a year from being a little known indie act to one of the best known bands in Britain. Anthony Strutt chats to bassist Michele Stodart and percussionist Angela Gannon about sudden fame and their recent debut album

live reviews

Water Rat's London, 16/3/2004

The "shyly raucous" Magic Numbers' tally of live performances has yet to enter into double figures, but already have a stage presence. After a London Water Rat's show, Emma Haigh leaves with her "mind swirling and speaking in colours"