Magician's Private Library

Holly Miranda, Holly Miranda | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 23, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: XL Recording
• ASIN: B0031I3XWU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,032 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

US LP pressing. HOLLY MIRANDA is no ordinary songbird. "The Magician's Private Library' was recorded and produced by Dave Sitek (TV ON THE RADIO), and features guest appearances from TV On The Radio members Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton. Holly Miranda left her home town of Detroit when she was 16 and headed to NYC where she met Dave Sitek, just before he got tied up with 'TV On The Radio' and producing records by the likes of the YEAH YEAH YEAHS. The Magician's Private Library is the album Holly and Dave always planned to make. It was recorded at Sitek's studio in Brooklyn last year, and is a dark, bold, beautiful and sonically ambitious record --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical..., February 23, 2010

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Magician's Private Library (Audio CD)

Holly Miranda's debut is produced by David Sitek from TV On The Radio. Aptly titled as the music is largely ethereal and other-worldly sounding.

The CD comprises swirling woozy multi-layered sounds with disjointed Jazzy flourishes, case in point the horn-peppered "Joints" (with childlike vocals), or the creepy sleepwalking "Slow burn treason". Still solemn but a bit more upbeat is "Waves" with the heartfelt lines "This needless pain that stains your face / It doesn't need to be".

The lush "Forest green, oh forest green" (with layered harmonies) sounds like something from The Fleet Foxes album. "Sweet dreams" is brightened by darting sunny horns, while the jangly Prog Rock-ish "Sleep on fire" has a gently insistent beat.

My favourite is "No one just is"; hushed vocals against juddering beats and buzzing guitars. It's all magical really...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Really Pleasing Discovery., April 21, 2010

By 

William J. Walker "Billyjay" (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magician's Private Library (Audio CD)

I saw this artist mentioned as a 'breaking act'in a newspaper supplement and the description intrigued me..."Imagine Brian Wilson going even further out on a musical limb in the 1960s, making Feist, Cat Power and a mid-1970s Marianne Faithfull sing the results, then being reworked by Radiohead, and you're getting close to the album's deep spookiness and evocative magic." So, being a little gullible, I decided to order a copy.

Well, as you might expect, the album rather disappointed on a first play. I don't think there is much out there, if anything, that could live up to that statement. Second play in and the album started to catch, it is now a real favourite and one of the few from the last couple of years that I play daily(and sometimes more often!).

Many of the songs start quietly with sort of catchy Scandinavian pop sensibility but then build through complex layers of instrumentation and vocalising the melodic themes equally rich and complex as the songs progress. It is the strength of those melodic themes that really lift this album above the norm. The other thing is it really does work as an Album not just a collection of songs.

What does it sound like? I must admit I am at a loss to describe it. Others have suggested Mazzy Star and Cocteau Twins, although she does't sound much like those to me, while I discerned reminders of Prince, Arcade Fire, Chrissy Hynde/Sinead O'Connor(voice, a bit)and even Pink Floyd. All I'll say is if that sounds interesting this may well be for you.

This is a real 'grower' of an album so I suggest you give it some playing time before making up your mind, if you do, I think you'll find this a real winner.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Keeper, May 17, 2010

By 

DW (chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magician's Private Library (Audio CD)

Holly Miranda has created an interesting album. Her light voice is accompanied by an eclectic mix of instruments all expertly arranged and melodic. You won't be bored.

[DW]