Customer Reviews

New Magnetic Wonder [Vinyl]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There came a time that the true meaning of pop music was lost in popular culture. Somewhere along the line Britney Spears, *Nsync, and dozens of other now-forgotten "artists" came to exemplify pop as a here-today, gone-tomorrow music made to satisfy the wallets of record label executives more than the public. And while the pop explosion of the late 90s came and went, The Apples in Stereo were subtly staying true to what pop music was all about. Over a decade after the band released their debut album, The Apples in Stereo are back with their first new album in about 5 years, "New Magnetic Wonder." For fans of The Apples, it's been quite a long time coming.

The album starts out about as strong as The Apples have ever sounded, with a vocoderized "Turn up the stereo-o" leading into a full-fledged guitar driven pop-rock sing along called "Can You Feel It?" Here, Robert Scheider's unique voice calls out "Oh, Turn up the stereo! Oh, drown out the static on the FM radio!" It's an amazing way to start out the album, and a fantastic toe-tapper at that! The opener runs head-on into "Skyway," yet another great guitar and vocal-driven pop song, complete with an all-too-catchy "Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo" complementing the chorus.

Taking a page right out of former Elephant 6 pioneers, The Olivia Tremor Control's, playbook, "New Magnetic Wonder" almost has as many short sub-minute tracks as it does full-fledged pop songs (10 to be exact). While these tracks can be somewhat distracting to the overall feel of the album, they also serve as quick-breathers on what would otherwise be a non-stop upbeat pop album. On that note, both "Mellotron Pt. 1" and "Mellotron Pt.2" are kind of funny to listen to, if only to hear The Apples in Stereo try their best at lo-fi 40s lounge music. It seems as if a few of these tracks are just excuses to play around on a vocoder, but some, like "Non-Pythagorean Composition Pt. 1" are just really short, beautiful instrumental songs.

"Energy" is a spirited affair that just begs to be clapped along to. It's highlighted by it's incredibly catchy chorus where Schneider sings, "And the world is made of energy. And there's a lot inside of you. And there's a lot inside of me." "Same Old Drag" is piano-heavy pop song that's hard not to consider perfect, at least when it comes to pop music. Of course, an album with 24 tracks is sure to have it's set of missteps, but The Apples are fortunate to have these kept to a minimum. "Sun Is Out" is more of a repetitive meditation than an actual song, and at over two-minutes, no one's going to blame you for skipping ahead.

Other highlights of the album include "Sunndal Song" and "Sunday Sounds" both sung beautifully by drummer Hilarie Sidney, as well as the heavy pop-rock sounds of "7 Stars" and "Open Eyes." Above all, however, is probably "Beautiful Machines," a powerful 4-part song that's played out over 2 tracks. By the time Part 4 comes around, you'll have forgotten that you're listening to The Apples in Stereo, as it sounds more like Doves or even Snow Patrol. Of course, the band is sure to remind you who you're listening to with the short, yet catchy "My Pretend," a song that caps off a wonderful album flawlessly.

The Apples in Stereo have been out of the indie music scene for some time now. During that time, other bands have risen up and tried to take their place at the top of the indie pop-rock totem pole. Though The Apples may have died long ago in the minds of many hipsters and college students, true fans have been eagerly anticipating this album for some time. They will not be disappointed. "New Magnetic Wonder" not only brings The Apples in Stereo back from the dead, but it puts all the lesser, would-be dethroners in their rightful place; miles below this great, American band.

Key Tracks:

1. "Can You Feel It?"

2. "Energy"

3. "Same Old Drag"

4. "7 Stars"

5. "Beautiful Machines"

7 out of 10 Stars

The Apples in Stereo have been charming listeners for years with their psychedelic rock music. They're the most accessible of all the Elephant 6 bands, and one of the more talented ones.

But with "New Magnetic Wonder," this lovable band creates their best album yet -- tight pop melodies that play on their strengths, colourful music, and a sound that's just a little bit warped. It sprawls over two discs, yet never feels like they're overstuffing it.

It opens with a chiming little melody... and a muffled voice speaking through a vocorder, like a pop Darth Vader. Then the nimble guitar and drums kick in, blossoming into a fun, energetic pop tune. "Turn up your STER-E-O!"

That energy carries over into the songs that follow -- solid rockers ("you follow the skyway... you follow the streets and the cars/and the shadows and the stars!"), shimmering psychpop, bouncy rock'n'roll songs, sunny guitar pop, and lo-fi ramblers.

Then the Apples segue back into an even more polished second volume -- the shimmering "7 Stars," stompy rockers, blippy little music boxes, and effervescent pop melodies. It peaks with the four-part "Beautiful Machine," which soars up to the heavens like the sound of a thunderstorm being blown away.

This album is a bit different from other Apples in Stereo albums, with a more streamlined sound. Rob Schneider and Co. pepper the actual songs with little blippy, quirky interludes, reminiscent of artier projects. And they dabble in a more epic, expansive feeling than they had before, but fortunately that doesn't require the sacrifice of the retro-sixties vibe.

Most of the songs center on fast-driving guitar and drums, which make some wonderfully catchy melodies. But they're also draped in fuzz bass, piano moments, and waves of shimmering mellotron, shimmering distorted voice, quirky wavery electronica, and dozens of other instruments. I think I hear church bells somewhere in there.

Legendary Neutral Milk Hotelier Jeff Mangum even enters the album, to provide handclaps, drums, and something called a "cow object." I don't know what that is, to be honest.

Frontman Robert Schneider -- after a stint in the Marbles -- returns with his boyish vocals, crooning over the complex music about skyways, celestial objects, the idealism of friendship, and "Seven stars in the sky, in the sky/you're feeling sociable/silver stars in your eyes, in your eyes/you feel emotional... and you don't even know my name/and I know every constellation..."

"New Magnetic Wonder" takes this band onto a whole new musical level, and one that it will be hard for them to top. Absolutely stunning, and a great way to enter the new (musical) year.

Taking five+ years between albums oftentimes spells trouble. Also, intra-band turmoil often produces lackluster music. The Apples In Stereo avoid both pitfalls and have made their best album ever. There's nothing else to say. If you like the Apples In Stereo already, you will adore this album. If you don't like the Apples In Stereo or Elephant Six-type bands, you won't much care for this. Easily a 5-star album for people who like this sort of music.

This album is a pop masterpiece. If you like ELO, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Oasis, all of them or one of them, then you owe yourself this succulent treat. The number of outstanding songs would make this album a greatest hits collection for other bands. The fabulous first single, "Energy", opens with an acoustic strumming "ala" the Beatles of Rubber Soul and then bounces into a full-band pop smiling gem, replete with gorgeous, shimmering choruses and wah-wah backing vocals. My favorite song, "Same Old Drag," opens with introductory piano chords - and then quickly - a little drum, a little bumping bass a little boogaloo rhythm guitar induce a pop song blessed with heavenly backing "bah, bah, bahs", a delicious mellotron solo, and transportive harmonies that pervade this album. There are too many great songs to describe, though I am particularly fond of the White Album like crunch of "Open Eyes", sung with the swagger of Liam Gallagher of Oasis, and the unbearable perfectness of power pop symphony "Seven Stars", whose self-absorbed object of desire we would love to meet because she seems like a beauty nonetheless (and the protagonist seems pretty damn interesting since he knows every constellation). I would also be remiss not to point out the two great tracks sung by Hilarie Sidney, who is no longer with the Apples. This album is so catchy it clearly would have ruled the airwaves in the 1960's pop-friendly radio. Despite the many influences the Apples are clearly giving props to, this record is entirely their own. It is that first terrific cherry of a Summer that has come early. I love this record. If you have not been turned on to New Magnetic Wonder by an Indy-smart friend, its your turn to be the cool one.

Half of this CD is outstanding, the other half is just good. There are some songs that so obviously mimic the Beatles and ELO that you think there must be a joke in here you're missing. I don't mean just homages to these two bands...I mean, nearly direct rewrites of material from Magical Mystery Tour and Jeff Lynne's catalogue. I am reminded of XTC's side project (was it called Dukes of Stratosphere or something like that?) which also went out of its way to mimic. Having said that, a lot of it is quite enjoyable. When they're not aping Beatles/ELO, their other songs sound like a slightly poppier version of Pavement, and I like that sound. There's some great guitar work, good production, and catchy tunes throughout. And the reviewers who have complained about the short "interlude" songs seem to be completely missing the point. There's a reason they're called "interludes" and I think they add to the experience. Overall, this one is recommended, with some reservations about outright mimickry at times (sorry I mentioned "mimic" three times in this review, no obvious synonyms are coming to mind!!)

Just two days ago I saw them play the Crowbar in Tampa...lots of fun, go see them and buy their music. Ok, here's a comparison for you: they're just like if you crossed the Beatles with The Archies with the cast of Seinfeld (bring back Elaine). Kudos to the band for national exposure with the recent Target/"Go"/Back to school ad.
As for this album, I love it but, something I just can't say what is keeping me from awarding it the 5th star...well, could be the devil himself.

When interviewed durring a KEXP live performance Robert Schneider commented that he wanted this to be the quintessential apples album. I think he nailed it. Sonically wonderfull, well produced, and enough catchy lyrics to make anyone sing along. Truly a great recording and worth adding to your collection.

The Apples in Stereo's newest release in five years, New Magnetic Wonder is far and away their most audacious and creative album to date. Drawing on other artists work, such as the Electric Light Orchestra, they produce a sound which is new and fresh, yet still decisevely Apples.

this is a MOST welcome return of a band that's been MIA for a spell.

elements of ELO, guided by voices, and of course the beach boys charm,

delight, surprise here to the nth degree...and other cliches... words cannot

do justice to the freshness of the melodies here, the loopy loops and

odd experiments in sound manipulation--with good old fashioned catchy

choruses and ultramemorable melodies.

this is up there with an obscure record of the year (for me), the black

watch's "tatterdemalion"--it just makes you feel so good, like there

is hope somewhere for music.

the apples are beautiful!

you will not regret this. i have a lot of their records (i favor the

more psychy elements of the band...yet love the pop too)

and this is by far the best thing they may ever do!!!

It took five years for the Apples to release another studio LP; so was the wait worth it? Well, like their disappointing '99 effort, "Her Wallpaper Reverie," it's about half and half real songs and brief interludes and goofs, but unlike the former effort, there's twenty-four tracks here, so that means about twelve real songs (pretty standard LP count). The first and last tracks (not counting the superfluous shorties tacked on at the end) are the best bets; the former a fairly typical power pop semi-anthem with sunny hooks and solid delivery, the latter a two-part (or technically four, if you consider the song titles) epic that washes over their musical collective with surprisingly little redundancy.

It's a shame then that "Energy" lacks, you guessed it, energy, and "Sun Is Out" is a wasted diddle-do that just makes you want to skip to the next track. The problem once again is padding: if they're going for artsy psychedelic segues and ambiguous cues with all of these sub-minute tracks, they're trying too hard (and pushing into the realm of pretension). Any other reason immediately defines them as pointless; after all, these aren't ambitious concept records or anything. "Vocoder Ba Ba" is precisely what it says it is, "Joanie Don't U Worry" is just a goofy throwaway, and the short vocal, "My Pretend," and the thoroughly anti-climactic "Non-Pythagorean Theorem" simply extend the album's final act, drawing us away from the strength of the "Beautiful Machine" parts. I mean, take away that junk and you've got yourself a mini near-masterpiece here...but they almost ruin it! Thirty-three minutes of excellent music in a fifty-two minute shell. Crack it open, suck out the good parts, spit away the rest. Luckily, the best parts are good enough to forgive the waste, and fans should no doubt adore it.

Best cuts: "Beautiful Machine (all parts)," "Can You Feel It?" "7 Stars," "Open Eyes," "Same Old Drag," "Skyway," "Sunndal Song," "Radiation"