Are these numbers really magic? (The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers)

Member Name: RussellsReviews

Product:	The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
Date:	15/04/09 (177 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Original sound, solid songwriting.

Disadvantages: Second half is a bit weak, some songs sound a bit cliched.

The indie, rock, pop, folk quartet were brought to my attention on Later... With Jools Holland (which for the rrecord is a great program!) and I was blown away. They sounded really fresh! They're made up of two pairs of brothers and sisters which perhaps goes someway to explain it!

Mornings Eleven
A mish mash song with plenty in there. The twangly clean guitar and solid drums give good grounding for Romeo to sing over his sorrows, there are some great backing vocals as well which really thicken the sound and the banjo is a great touch. The breakdown is great too. It feels folky and bluesy and has those great pop melodies and harmonies.

Forever Lost
The ominous beginning chord sets the mood for Romeo's ponderous vocals on a perhaps lost love. The verse is incredible but for me the chorus feels as bit like a letdown a bit cliched in sound for me. The instrumentation is adventurous for a pop group and The Magic Numbers aren't afraid to be different.

Long Legs
Heavy chugging guitar and funky bass set the fast paced track which is fantastic. I can't place my finger on Romeo's accent but it sounds fantastic when he sing 'I don't think I'll ever see your face again'. Again maybe the chorus is too poppy for my liking. The guitar is great: inventive and simple (the best always is).

Love's A Game
The slower song captures the thoughs of a public. Romeo's hesistant croon sounds brilliant as always, strangely so. I believe a singer should be individual and I've never been a fan of 'traditionally good' singers. The song feels a bit cliched but there we go what do you expect with a title like that.

Theres some real jems here even if some are a bit cliched and the harmonies often feel too poppy. The second half is not as strong as the first however and good songs become few. It deserves a listen as The Magic Numbers have an original sound which is very likeable. I don't know where they've gone though as I haven't heard anything from them for some time now.

Summary: Worth a listen for their unique sound, good band.