Customer Reviews

The Black Magic Show

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I listened to this through a friend who works in a radio statio a couple of weeks ago. Not being familiar with their previous record, I listened without comparisons and liked it a lot. It's derrivative of the 80s and many of the bands that exploded in the 2000s like The Strokes and Interpol, but the lyrics here are considerably more sentimental and the sound is very accessible. It maintains a remarkable balance. It rocks hard enough to keep a genre fan happy and yet it does not alienate those who enjoy catchy melodies.

I got this after liking the 'sunlight..' album, I must say I don't like it as much. Its OK, but the songs are not as catchy and there is a bit of a different vibe. the first album reminds me more of late New Order, this one more like Suede I guess. I really don't get the Killers comparisons at all.

This is the glamorous New York band. This is their second album. They provided some relief from the seriousness of bands like Interpol. Their first album was an interesting foray in pop rock music. The center of the group is Diego Garcia, the man, the myth. The second album seems more focused and more whole. It's not just a collection of songs that some guy wrote when he was young. There is more experience and shape in the sounds. There are some stand out tracks like "Lolita" and "Uh Oh Hello." Their sound is explored more in "The Clown." Some of the complicated rhythms give a new texture to the band's new sound. "Uh Oh Hello" is a slight tip of the hat to The Who. There was a Britpop vibe on the first album. Elefant has seemed to become more it's own thing. A more Latin style is displayed in "Brasil." There is a cool mix of rock and electronic sounds. No wonder Ed Buller is involved (Pulp, Suede). I am looking at some of the pictures in the booklet and the press, and there are a bunch ofpictures of the band leering, like they have some secret knowledge about life. Elefant is a type a band that should succeed.

I wasn't sure Elefant could pull off a better sophomore release, but I was really impressed with this. They added more attitude and less Robert Smith influence and just tore into a really solid disc. It helped that they opened up for the BRMC for this tour. Really good tunes live as well.

Whether you love or hated their debut album, its hard to deny the raw 80's sound they've been able to master and mix with their own personal and creative sound!! Unlike their Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid tracks, where it seemed I was skipping a few songs here and their to get to the 2 or 3 I liked, The Black Magic Show tracks each offer a sound that keeps you from hitting the forward track button and grabs your attention throughout each song. Listen to the samples, then buy it!!! This album kicks butt, compared to their last album, that is. :)

Kenny, even before The Killer's Hot Fuss, there was The Mission UK. Any album. In fact there was any 80's Post Punk and Alt Rock. Geez, people should get their facts right.


That said, "The Black Magic Show" is another Post Punk revival album by another Post Punk Revival band, which in my opinion knows how to grab from many sounds but lacks creativity. There's a certain Stone Roses and Kitchens Of Distinction(without all the guitar noise, I must state) feeling, but in overall there's nothing new here. It's a nice listen, but nothing more...

I enjoy this CD, but let's face it: haven't we heard this before?
It was called HOT FUSS by the Killers.

This was the best CD ever i loved it the tempo was fast and amazing