Magic & Naked: Magic & Naked [Album Review]

Magic & Naked
Magic & Naked
Casbah Records [2015]

Fire Drill Album Review: Music is a medium that knows no bounds. So when Magic & Naked’s “Anna” hits your ears and you hear “Breathe” with a bit of “Wish You Were Here.” Then you know that they’re starting off on the right foot. The French “Psych Love Pop” quartet released their self-titled debut last year in December but that doesn’t mean we still shouldn’t post a review. The hook/magic potion to M&N’s brew is the familiar sounds that span over many decades. M&N take artists such as Night Beats, Tame Impala, Jefferson Airplane, My Bloody Valentine, The Growlers, Electric Prunes, Pink Floyd, A Shoreline Dream, and others to reinvent their sounds. My only complaint is “The Ship” which is placed in the middle of the album. While it’s a fine track the odd, bouncy nature breaks the momentum and mood of the album. One pacing gripe aside, Magic & Naked’s self-titled debut is an album that could have easily gone sideways quick. With so much reliance on past and present psych influences it could have been a boring rehash. But, with multiple listens Magic & Naked’s “beach cowboy’ songs easily had me captivated and already anticipating a follow up.

<a href="http://casbahrecords.bandcamp.com/album/magic-naked">Magic & Naked by Magic & Naked</a>

Magic & Naked Website
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Casbah Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Tahy

Christopher Tahy

From an early age I’ve been in love with music. Whether it was queuing up Sesame Street vinyl on my Fisher Price turntable. Using our family stereo stack to rock out to Billy Idol, R.E.M, Talking Head, Green Day, and John “Cougar” Mellencamp with my dad. Brought up on the classic rock radio station really helped lay the proper foundation for what music was and what it could be. While I do listen to the entire musical spectrum, my favorites are Metal, Soul, Jazz, Shoegaze, and Psychedelic anything. Basically an emphasis on anything rock, I never turn down a good riff.