Album Review//MAGIC KIDS-MEMPHIS

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Something weird is going on in Memphis, TN.  It seems that all the pushers have stopped pedaling “H”, “rock” and “yay” and have started moving liquid sunshine and injectable sugar cane.  At least all of the pushers that the Magic Kids deal with have.  The quintet’s debut album, Memphis, is an incredibly infectious affair that is full of sing-along songs rich in harmony and fantastical orchestration.  Be careful, it might not be immediate, but look to be hypnotized by occasional horn inflections reminiscent of Rubber Soul and string arrangements, keys and surf vibes ala Surf’s Up or the more familiar Pet Sounds. Magic Kids do an awfully great job of utilizing their own talents and gifts while paying homage to influences. 

While cursory listens had me confused as to whether or not I was accidentally given a copy of a remastered Partridge Family album or worse, the latest in the Kidz Bop series; repeated listens took primary focus off of the sometimes adolescent lyrics (“No candy sweeter than my baby” from “Candy” or “wait, hold on little buddy” from “Little Red Radio” for instance) and unearthed Memphis as a fun album with highly addictive melodies and terrific instrumentation.   It’s 28 minutes of pop, twee, or twee pop at its finest.  Songs like “Phone” and “Hey Boy” both playfully simple lyrically but joyfully complex  are likely to make my end of the year list.

Memphis (Out August 24, 2010 on True Panther Sounds but available digitally NOW here with preorder) will be a great soundtrack for a lot back to school bashes and probably won’t leave your car, turntable or brainwaves until the first nip hits the air come fall.   Hell, maybe wait and see if it’ll melt the first frost on your windows. Enjoy!

MP3: Magic Kids-Phone

MP3: Magic Kids-Hey Boy