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Magic Wands - Magic Love & Dreams [EP]

Young & Lost Club

by deadletteroffice, November 11th, 2009 and has been Read 1427 times.
Last Edited by: Chris MUG5 Maguire November 11th, 2009.

Occupying the same, self-knowingly 'hip' territory as erstwhile synth rockers MGMT, and sprinkling the sound with a generous splash of 'nu-gaze' (christ I hope nobody takes that term seriously) Magic Wands are almost guaranteed underground succes. They even have the look down pat (they could both pass for topshop models). But if I forget my cynical nature for a second (tough but not impossible) and concentrate on the music I can find a decent amount here to recommend to genuine music fans. The sound is obviously 80's indebted (what isn't these days) but it comes embossed with that modern sheen which helps it sound very much of this decade.

This is an EP which is all about melody, the drum machines sound lifeless and songs rarely have more than 3 chords but the vocal melodies and sparkly guitar lines (especially on opener 'Kiss Me Dead') are frequently gorgeous and go a long way towards making up for the lack of musicianship on display. Singers Chris and Dexy weave their softly cooed, heavily reverberated vocals over beds of ambient synths and retro textures on 'Warrior' while on the standout 'Black Magic' we get their version of funked up glam-rock. This could easily be a hit if put in the right hands with an infectious riff and chorus hook which almost sounds like the Pixies classic 'Hey' if it was reworked by OMD, then covered by the Cocteau Twins (confusing I know but give it a listen and you'll see what I mean).

The flip-side isn't quite as impressive but expands the groups horizons with the jaded atmosphere of Starships recalling M83 and the subdued low-light 'Teenage Love' including a frankly embarrassing semi-rapped verse (fair enough they gave it a try but it really doesn't work). All 5 songs run home the bands ability to write a killer hook, each one hits with a decent chorus and even the unlovable Teenage Love is admittedly catchy.

So not a bad first impression at all, expect Magic Wands to be everywhere by the end of the year, all they need is the right label and the right tour support slot and radio 1 undoubtedly beckons.