Customer Reviews

Those the Brokers

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

 

 

Longing and broken love, played in uptempo indiepop and wistful ballads.

That's what the Magic Numbers played in their self-titled debut, and that's what they play in their sophomore album "Those the Brokes" -- painful, prettily sparkling pop music. It would have benefited from a song or two being trimmed off, but the English quartet sound more polished and assured.

It opens with gentle glockenspiel and a murky guitar melody, before blooming out into a sprightly little pop tune. "I don't wanna tell her/No don't want to tell her/I lie awake in the dark/Lost in the beat of my heart," Romeo Stodart sings mournfully. "And if it hurts me baby you know why/I go it alone/Hurt me baby if you like/It's already gone..."

It's a bit too pop, I have to admit. But they embrace a more sweeping, catchy melody in the layered "You Never Had It," with some squiggle synth and ringing guitar riffs. From there, they try out all sorts of pop music: peppy dancey stuff, mellow bouncy tunes, some fun alt-rock, folk-edged string melodies, and meditative little ballads, ending with the folksy, fond "Goodnight."

If "Those the Brokes" has a flaw, it's that it's about two songs too long. But on a musical level, it's a great combination -- like Camera Obscura, the two brother-sister pairs meld the mournful, wistful, achy lyrics encapsulated in shimmering, smooth pop confections. You're sad, but still the music is a bit uplifting.

Those melodies are spun out of some solid guitars (both solidly acoustic and blurrily cycling), some undulating basslines and drums for the basic beats. But they're also dressed up in some extra instrumentation -- melodica, weeping strings, some really exquisite glockenspiel tinkling, and what sounds like a trumpet in "Undecided." It's much the same as in their first album, but here it's deeper, smoother and more layered.

Siblings Romeo and Michelle Stodart provide most of the vocals, and they both have mellow, full-bodied voices that can be either mournful, or sprightly (depending on the tune). They mainly sing about loves lost or broken, with writing that's solid but not exceptional just yet: "What you gonna do when she turns around/And says you broke another heart that was broken down/It's a crying shame, that the love you've made/Is a cross that you bear when it's cold..."

"Those the Brokes" is a solid, polished second album, and expands on the sound that the Magic Numbers crafted in their debut -- an enjoyable pop album full of woe.

I've been looking for something different and refreshing and have found the magic number! I just bought both Those The Brokes as well as their 2005 release and find both excellent. Looking at some of the other album reviews, they have been referred to as lost 60's group and compared to the Mama's and Papa's. Although there are similarities; brothers and sisters, two men and two women, I think they are unique and very much worth your time and money. Highly recommended. You can't go wrong. These guys have tremendous natural songwriting abilities.

3 1/2

The album looses a little steam about halfway through, opting for a slower section which the band doesn't dazzle with quite as much as a first side of upbeat numbers, but altogether this is a good example of how a few modifications to a tried and true indie-pop format can breathe urgency back into the compositions.

Catchy is the only way to begin to describe The Magic Numbers newest release. Their harmonies are something that you haven't heard in a while, invoking thoughts of male and female pop groups of the 60's, with psychedelic bits and kibbles and a certain indie twinge. It's really beautiful music and I think the past 3 generations could really like the sound if they are given the chance to listen. Strings, xylophones, classical music of some sort is thrown in for a new twist but still Those The Brokes is more pop rock oriented, while their last release was just a bit slower and more melodic. I prefer this new one but both are great albums to start with. You could dance in your underwear to this, bop your head in the car, and even make a perfect Valentine's Day mix. This album is infinitely versatile to different styles, uses, moods, and people in general.

As a listening consumer it never ceases to amaze me how artists keep fresh with musical ideas. Sure, people say, 'it's their job', but how creative are you in your work? Is their creative pressure to fulfill a creative quota, like there often is in the music industry. Well, that being said, the Magic Numbers have delivered another quality product to the market-place, with hook-driven songs that lilt toward the listener, or lunge-in with perpetual repetition, or enter via the sophisticated use of orchestra strings, or horns to accompany clever pop and earthy relationship-centered songs. The mix of voices harmonically, the Magic Numberesque melodic choices made for the songs and the mastery of the front & centre guitar, easily fills the aural spectrum for the listener, delivering quality on every front. Well crafted, thoughtful and easily approachable. A must for the pop/folk/alternative listener, or the person not interested in sexist Rap and hormone centered Rock. Plus, there is a secret track, stored well into the tape from the final track.

I'm glad that I discovered this group. They have great,catchy songs. Money well spent.

Longing and broken love, played in uptempo indiepop and wistful ballads.

That's what the Magic Numbers played in their self-titled debut, and that's what they play in their sophomore album "Those the Brokes" -- painful, prettily sparkling pop music. It would have benefited from a song or two being trimmed off, but the English quartet sound more polished and assured.

It opens with gentle glockenspiel and a murky guitar melody, before blooming out into a sprightly little pop tune. "I don't wanna tell her/No don't want to tell her/I lie awake in the dark/Lost in the beat of my heart," Romeo Stodart sings mournfully. "And if it hurts me baby you know why/I go it alone/Hurt me baby if you like/It's already gone..."

It's a bit too pop, I have to admit. But they embrace a more sweeping, catchy melody in the layered "You Never Had It," with some squiggle synth and ringing guitar riffs. From there, they try out all sorts of pop music: peppy dancey stuff, mellow bouncy tunes, some fun alt-rock, folk-edged string melodies, and meditative little ballads, ending with the folksy, fond "Goodnight."

If "Those the Brokes" has a flaw, it's that it's about two songs too long. But on a musical level, it's a great combination -- like Camera Obscura, the two brother-sister pairs meld the mournful, wistful, achy lyrics encapsulated in shimmering, smooth pop confections. You're sad, but still the music is a bit uplifting.

Those melodies are spun out of some solid guitars (both solidly acoustic and blurrily cycling), some undulating basslines and drums for the basic beats. But they're also dressed up in some extra instrumentation -- melodica, weeping strings, some really exquisite glockenspiel tinkling, and what sounds like a trumpet in "Undecided." It's much the same as in their first album, but here it's deeper, smoother and more layered.

Siblings Romeo and Michelle Stodart provide most of the vocals, and they both have mellow, full-bodied voices that can be either mournful, or sprightly (depending on the tune). They mainly sing about loves lost or broken, with writing that's solid but not exceptional just yet: "What you gonna do when she turns around/And says you broke another heart that was broken down/It's a crying shame, that the love you've made/Is a cross that you bear when it's cold..."

"Those the Brokes" is a solid, polished second album, and expands on the sound that the Magic Numbers crafted in their debut -- an enjoyable pop album full of woe.

i really didn't like this cd. singers can't sing, songs aren't catchy and tend to drag on. a chore to listen to. avoid!

there's absolutely no singing talent in this joke of a band. None. Is this some new hipster trend? To perceive sub-sophomoric junk that shouldn't have ever been recorded as somehow great? I can sing better than this -- and I can't sing. And the lyrics are dumb, too.