Magic Kids - Memphis

  by Andrew Carver

published: 29 / 9 / 2010

Label: True Panther Sounds
Format: CD

intro

Lush and upbeat summery pop from American group Magic Kids, who have named their debut album after their home city of Memphis

The sweet sounds of Magic Kids’ summery pop have garnered comparisons aplenty to the Beach Boys, and one can certainly hear why on their debut album ‘Memphis’. While many modern pop purveyors seem entranced by the sonic scuzz of lo-fi, ‘Memphis’ is a fairly produced effort. Jabs of brass pump up ‘Phone’ and ‘Superball’, while the band really shows off its layered sound on ‘Hideout’, which throws a stormfront of brass and a sinister drum roll into the gentle, dreamy ballad before suddenly bouncing over to bouncy piano and a bit of slightly cheesy synth. ‘Hey Boy’ takes a trip into Roy Wood territory with a rhythm akin to ‘Brontosaurus’ and relentlessy chipper lyrics. Indeed, the band’s upbeat outlook on tunes like ‘Candy’ makes the final effort closer to sunshine pop purveyors like the Turtles and Jan & Dean, as well as modern psych-pop combos like the Gerbils and the Apples In Stereo than the Beach Boys, emotionally troubled as some of their Brian Wilson-penned work was. If violinist Alice Buchanan’s singing shared more time with frontman Bennett Foster’s they might be getting comparisons to Saturday looks Good To Me. ‘Memphis’ should hit the spot for anyone who likes their pop lush, cheery and tuneful.

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