Customer Reviews

Seek Magic (Bonus Track Edition)

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

 

 

Went out on a limb so to speak and purchased "Seek Magic" along with the six song EP by Washed Out via Amazon's mp3 store New Year's Eve. While both selections are a far cry above any commercial tripe you are likely to hear on FM radio or MTV, I must say, Memory Tapes' "Seek Magic" works better as an album. I thoroughly enjoyed Washed Out, especially the track "Feel It All Around", but the music seemed more like a bunch of disjointed singles, whereas "Seek Magic" seems to flow quite smoothly from one song to the next. Other than perhaps "Plain Material", none of the tracks really seem to stand out, but that's due to the level of excellence throughout. Trully music meant to be enjoyed as an album experience in a day and age of mixed playlist, "fast-food" singles.

One cannot help but notice an amazing attention to detail in the production of all the tracks present here. I am more than a little jealous, lol. I read some "official" review that said that Dayve's voice would be a potential drawback to some in that it was "thin and reedy". Well he's definitely no Luciano Pavarotti or whateva his name is (thank gad!), but I never thought his vocals did anything but complement the mix.

While I readily admit that this music is not for everybody, it will likely be embraced with passionate fervor by the discerning few, especially those of us forced to live in our heads, rejects of a shallow and depraved "civilization".
Personally, I would give this album 4½ stars, (in that I think the man has room for improvement, his masterwork is undoubtedly yet to come) but since that's not an option, I rounded down to 4 to counter the previous reviewer's 5 stars.

Most people want a comparison to other artists so they know what to expect, but this is (thankfully) not all that easy to do in the case of Memory Tapes. I would describe it more as electro mood music as opposed to electro dance music, altho there are a couple tracks here that might inspire you to stuff your fries in the couch and get up and shuffle about. The whole thing has a certain retro-80's vibe to it thanks to some nifty synth work. (what do they call it nowadays? no-wave, er sum shet?)

If you have any qualms about purchasing an "unknown", visit their MySpace page (likely you already have if you've ended up here), several of the songs included here are available for your listening pleasure there. Besides Memory Tapes, recent acts I've found on there which made an impression on me include Washed Out and this obscure act calling themselves "Busted Ass" from Wisconsin. Anyhow, I heartily recommend you purchase this album, perhaps at least a few shekels will find their way back to the artist, a hard-working and deserving individual!

This album was such a surprise for me. I must admit I didn't pick it up until I saw it referenced on a bunch of music blog "best of" lists at the end of the year. But now, having owned it for just 2 weeks, I can safely say it's one of my top five favorite albums of this past year. It successfully alternates between and integrates the best elements of pop, dance, and shoegaze, making for an album that is stylistically diverse yet still works as a whole because of its distinct and unifying voice. Anyone who likes their indie pop slightly more experimental, ambient, lo-fi, and occasionally dark should love this. But since that sounds too specific, I'm just gonna say that this album is DEFINITELY worth picking up for any discriminating music fan. A real hidden gem.

If you like Phoenix, Air France, The XX, or Miike Snow, chances are, you'll enjoy "Seek magic" (released November 31st in the UK) by Memory Tapes. Achingly beautiful dreamy electronic Pop/Dance/Rock music with ethereal vocals.

Memory Tapes comprises Dayve Hawk with his vocals fuzzed out or sounding detached against a lucullan electronic soundscape.

Comprising just 8 tracks, each standsout really, the sublime "Swimming field" (with a chiming guitar intro and ghostly vocals), "Bicycle" (twinkling Pop which takes off on a Disco-fied tangent), the absolutely brilliant "Green knight" (interesting instrumental breaks), the Disco-fied "Stop talking", the stomping "Graphics" ("Oh, I don't even recognise, the sound of your voice, the feel of your touch / You can be alone, even though I'm here by your side."), and the dreamy fuzzy guitar-driven "Plain material" (which is anything but).

Completing the collection are a pair of outstanding instrumentals; "Pink stones" (with a slight Oriental feel), and "Run out", both sprawling and dazzling. Seeking magic? Seek no more!

Seek Magic is something to be traveled with. It's the kind of album, perhaps paired with a Towers of Asia or Bibio record, that won't give you everything at once but instead reveal it as you take it around with you. This is music to spend time with and worth making time for.

While looking for music from an obscure old 80's band on YouTube, Herman Brood & His Wild Romance I think, links bounced me to some stuff by the SnivelingShitz, who I had not heard in 25 years...anywho...links from there led me to this. I cannot possibly find the relationship.

I guess this is of a new genre, chillwave. Not much different from the sound coming from the Cardigans and Adventures in Stereo a decade or more ago. Just without the female lead vocals. This is not to say this music is not fantastix, it is. Fabulously lush textured landscapes populated with 'house' shaped riffs and loops. I love it more with each listening.