Review: Magic Kids – Memphis
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010Magic Kids - Memphis (2010) [True Panther] // Grade: B -
Memphis natives Magic Kids have released their appropriately names debut LP Memphis. This is a band that’s manifesto is to spread happiness to the world, tread on the side of love not evil, and that bad music is the stuff which makes you sad. Their name is inspired by the early 90s movie poster of “Magic Kid” (with clouds, Christmas tree, kid in karate split, clown, red convertible and featuring tag line “dreams are just wishes…coming true”) but is a flick the band has never seen. They don’t want to ruin the illusion of the so terrible it’s awesome poster and who can blame them. The movie is probably crap. The members of Magic Kids seem to be genuinely happy people, which is a refreshing change from the blank emotions of some hipster bands floating around. They even have slumber parties after every show. No wonder Magic Kids creates music that is so spunky and upbeat. It’s so sugary sweet it almost gives you a toothache.
Memphis is an album full of modern day pop oldies with a twee edge. They do a superb job of mixing the sunny disposition of early 60s pop but instead of basing songs around simplistic repeating melodies they take it to grand places. A mixture of instruments are used (horns, strings, oboes, synths, drums, guitars) to create these epic crescendoing instrumentals that are cause for celebration as the joyful lyrics like “you were always on my mind and you stayed in my pocket all the time”, “there’s no candy sweeter than my baby”, and “it’s so good to be with you” are chirpily belted out (with exuberant back up vocals to boot). The previously released single “Hey Boy” apparently took seven months to record and definitely is a phenomenal track, but then the LP took only two months.
Regardless of the short time frame, Magic Kids have created grandiose pop tracks that you just can’t sit still during (especially track “Superball”). I hate to say they’ve reinvented old fashioned pop for a modern era (because I’m sure they’re not the only band out there making great pop music) but with tracks “Good To Be”, “Cry With Me Baby”, and “Candy” you can hear the doo wop influences intertwined in their extravagant, superbly produced instrumentals. The layers are just as complex as some ethereal shoegaze stuff that the ear has a lot to listen to and doesn’t just get soaked in sugar. They break up the pure sunshine tracks with “Skateland” (featuring more rock heavy guitars), and reflective yearning slower tracks “Hideout” and “Summer”.
Memphis is a perfect album to bring anyone out of the summer’s over funk and perk spirits up for the changing season. Magic Kids are touring throughout the fall and I’m sure they put on an awesome show, so check them out if you get the chance!



















































































































































