CD REVIEW: MAGIC! – Don’t Kill The Magic

Label: Sony Music Entertainment

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Reggae and island style music has never been in my wheelhouse, so I wasn’t overly impressed upon first listen to the debut from MAGIC!  After a few spins through, I warmed up to it.  “Rude” opens the disc and instantly you know what you are in for.  The reggae infused pop rock is hooky and catchy as hell.  I realized how catchy after cranking this in the car when it came on the radio and I realized I knew the track.  “No Evil” is a similar track, but not as heavy on the reggae feel as the opener.  The vocals, especially during the chorus, are strong and set nicely against the rest of the band.  “Stupid Me” has a cool intro that features layered vocals, and then busts out into a full blown pop rock track that should be one of the bands better received tracks in a live setting.  The chorus keeps the song chugging along and highlights the musicians in the band, as well as the vocals.  “Paradise” is one of the heavier tracks on the disc, and features a heavy rhythm section, especially the bass lines.  The notes dance underneath the track setting a mood during the verse.  “One Woman One Man” is more reggae than pop or rock, but that isn’t a bad thing.  The vocals and keyboards carry the track through the verses and build the track slowly to the chorus, where the lofty vocals add depth.

“Let Your Hair Down” is a cool pop song that features the reggae vibe and music of the rest of the disc, while showing its pop side and during the verses.  The rhythm of this track is mellow and suits the vocals and lyrics well.  “No Way No” is more reggae-pop fusion that adds depth to the release by maintaining the groove of the disc without sounding like every other song on the disc.  Title track “Don’t Kill The Magic” kicks off with a mellow tempo that slowly morphs and builds into a full chorus that allows the guitars to really soar and put their stamp on the track, while keeping the vibe of the rest of the songs intact.  “Little Girl Big World” is a cool party track that adds a shot of energy to the back third of the disc.  The song has an anthemic feel to it that charges at full speed through the chorus.  “Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool” is another track that leans heavily to the reggae side, while giving a nod to the bands pop side, thanks to the guitars that permeate the chorus.  Disc closer “How Do You Want To Be Remembered” has a vibe that neatly wraps up most of the disc and gives you one last listen to the reggae-pop fusion these guys play so well.  The chorus grabs your attention and makes you want to take this for one more spin once you reach the end of the track and disc.

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Category: CD Reviews