CD Reviews

Magic Numbers

Those the Brokes | Capitol

By WERNER TRIESCHMANN | August 14, 2007

2.5 Stars

A quartet of siblings from London, the Magic Numbers are throwbacks to a time when pop was lighter than air, harmonies were the essential sweetener, and guys sported beards that made them look like teddy bears. The group’s second album continues in the same vein as the generally winning debut — only now the arrangements are lusher and more ornate and, in a few unfortunate cases, the songs are longer. The best moments come when the tunes are fast (“Take a Chance” and “This Is a Song”) and even somewhat gritty (“You Never Had It”). But “Boy” doesn’t want to end, and in too many places voices are pushed down in the mix, which defeats the band’s reason for being. Still, you can hear some lovely Burt Bacharach moments come to the surface and disappear. Perhaps next time they’ll stick around.

The Magic Numbers + Rufus Wainwright | Avalon, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston | August 21 | 617.931.2000

Related: Mark Weiner for President?, Kid at play, Indie springs forward, More

Topics: CD Reviews , Burt Bacharach, Rufus Wainwright, The Magic Numbers, More

| More

ARTICLES BY WERNER TRIESCHMANN

THE WHIGS: MISSION CONTROL | March 05, 2008
The Whigs began life as a guitar/bass/drums college band toiling away in Athens.

REBA MCENTIRE | February 12, 2008
Reba McEntire became famous in the 1980s, when country music consisted of ballads as big as the hair of the singers who sang them.

SIDESHOW AND TELL | January 28, 2008
She goes by the name Baby Dee, even though she was born in Cleveland in 1953.

LITTLE BIG TOWN | December 31, 2007
Although you may wish that the first single wasn’t about life on the road, even it is soaked in a sweetness that’s too rare these days.

KENNY CHESNEY | December 03, 2007
Chesney has built his sizeable country empire on selling Jimmy Buffett–like beach fantasies with guitar-fueled mid-tempo frat rock.