Customer Reviews

Magic City

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I hope I'm not offending any indie die-hards out there, but "The Magic City" really does remind me of early Genesis in places, with grandiose, madrigal melodies and odd textures abounding. "Lullaby Of The Moths" immedeately comes to mind, with its lush Elizabethan swoon, and "The Revolution of Hearts Pts I and II" practically screams Gabriel-era Genesis, with it's brusque, galloping riff pattern and eight-minute sprawl. This record is a God-send to me because it finally reconciles my lingering love of the old Genesis records that got me through high school with the indie rock that sustained me through my post-adolescent drift. Mary Timony, on the smattering of Helium releases (two LPs, two EPs) and on her two solo records, has become one of my musical heroes, and this brilliant record has taken a prime spot in my collection, right beside "Foxtrot" and "Selling England By The Pound". Now if only Sleater-Kinney would do a riff-rock record about pipers and misty mountains....

Helium is one of those bands, much like Throwing Muses during the Eighties, that may never be appreciated by the public until after the fact (ten years after).

"The Magic City" is a lush and cryptic album that should be listened to at night with headphones. The dreamy, pastel imagery of Timony is full of texture and color. It's not just Timony's seductive voice and lyrical power that make this record work, it's the range of influences, from Pavement to King Crimson that seem to drive you along as you listen.

Certainly worth the price of admission.

This album is often absent from "Best of the 90's" lists, but it is easily one of the top twenty releases of that decade. Mary Timony transports the listener to her inner fantasy world on this concept album filled with great guitar playing and bizarre medieval instrumentation. The Magic City is surreal, warm, colorful, mysterious, and not without a sense of humor. This is the album that best showcases Mary Timony's talents as both a songwriter and a guitar player. In twenty years, the most creative artists in indie rock will be citing this as a monumental and influential album. Buy this album and listen to it early in the morning as the sun comes up.

Mary Timony is a childwoman genius. Always aloof and sparkling, she presents you an album that will make you want to do a few cartwheels and maybe a little mystical cheerleading. Many props to bassist and drummer for orchestrating the brilliance of this album. I still remain most devoted to The Dirt of Luck, though, so if you like this, eat that, too.

Mary Timony is just one of those rare poison flowers. She hooks you in with this beautiful "magic" sound, then she throws it in your face. She's so sarcastic/sardonic and it gives her power. This album isn't just another teenage fairy tale girl thing, it goes way beyond that...

I came to Helium and Mary Timony late. I am a Sleater-Kinney fan and followed the breakup by listening to Wild Flag's new music (which I also highly recommend). I had to figure out who Mary Timony was and traced her back to Helium. The only album available for download was Magic City. The entire album captivated me. The lead off song is one of my favorite songs: Vibrations. Its just one of those perfect hard pop songs. The lyrics, as is discussed in other reviews, is very out their fantasy or imagery. The thing you notice with this band, and I understand that the bass player, Brian Dunton, is very involved in the sound and the sound is, I guess, indie-progressive. The bass playing is very guitar-like and there is definitely attention to detail and lack of fear to do instrumentals or extended instrumentation. The music fits with the lyrics and you can lay back and just let it wash over you if you want. You also have Mitch Easter producing this so its going to be interesting. Revolution of Hearts, Pt. 1 & 2 is a long 8 minute song with a long jam with both guitar and bass doing technique playing making a kind of fugue but obviously very well thought out and made interesting. You have some interesting guitar playing by Mary Timony which can be harsh or delicate with some interesting riffs and picking and certainly not simply chord strumming. One song, Walk Away, has a riff or two that really reminds me of some Joni Mitchell playing. Every song is worthwhile and this is one of the albums that you can play from start to finish without hitting a dead spot. The songs will open up to you and you will have new favorites each time you listen (except Vibrations which is a transcendent song). I really recommending taking the time to get to know this album and band. Certainly, they lacked exposure but put out a finished product worthy of consumption. Enjoy.

Mary Timony's final work as Helium, produced by Mitch Easter, is a really nice effort with lots of different instruments and production. This sounds somewhat eletronica influenced, but nowhere nearly as repetitive and boring as that genre; and it rocks. Some of the songs on this are quite brilliant. As a member of the 2001 band Wild Flag, Mary will get the due she deserves.

Helium's melodic, moody sound doesn't disappoint on this release. The meandering subject matter, from dragons and so on, makes the record an even more unique thrill. Helium makes the sort of chilled-out music that almost anyone can appreciate.

This album is great! Most rock is an expression of the inner teenage boy, but this album--with its references to dragons, rainbows, and unicorns--is an expression of the inner teenage girl. But don't underestimate the implications of that--this rocks! One of the coolest albums of the 90's!

I'm not the biggest Helium fan, but I love their "magic" slant on this release. The music is filled with interesting augments like harpsichord and cello, and Mary's voice is beguiling. The music has a great propellant quality. Very cool.