MCT DirectThe Magic Numbers
Those that Broke
Rating: 2/5
Tracks to download: “Boy,” “Take a Chance,” “Most of the Time”
For fans of: Belle and Sebastian, The Arcade Fire, Bloc Party
The Magic Numbers’ new album, “Those That Broke,” is a pleasant, but at many times redundant, collection of light rock songs. Many of its songs feel long-winded and listless. Even though there are a few memorable moments, the album is not particularly distinct or exciting.
One of the biggest problems that plagues The Magic Numbers is that they do not know when to end a song. Many of their tracks are delightful for the first two minutes, but then become bogged down by a half-hearted bridge that causes the song to feel overextended. “Carl’s Song” is a prime example of this problem. The first two minutes of the song are pleasant and enjoyable. But three minutes into the song, the band descends into a bridge that has no purpose and makes the song seem interminable. “Undecided” and “Slow Down (The Way It Goes)” are two more six-minute plus songs that would benefit from being more concise.
The inability of The Magic Numbers to make a song short and exciting is a problem that afflicts the entire album. After 14 tracks, “Those That Broke” becomes very lethargic. Songs such as “Goodnight” and “Take Me or Leave Me” are indistinct fillers that add nothing to the record. Other songs, such as “Let Me In” and “Running Out” are aimless and sound completely unoriginal. These songs also suffer from a lack of creative musicianship. They feel worn and tired because they have no variation or inventiveness that makes them musically exciting.
Even though the album suffers from many problems, there are some truly fantastic songs on “Those That Broke.” One of the greatest moments the band has is when guitarist/singer Romeo Stodart is able to sing with conviction. “All I See” is a lovely ballad that Stodart sings with an appropriate amount of sadness and longing. More upbeat songs such as “Boy” and “Take a Chance” are highlighted by Stodart’s lively and energetic voice. “You Never Had It” is an enjoyable song that Stodart graces with a powerful vocal performance. When he sings, “I was wrong/I was lost/But now I’m found/Don’t be scared/Of something you’ve never had,” the listener feels ready to attempt something new and daring. Unfortunately, this level of vocal prowess is not present in many of the other songs on the record.
The Magic Numbers’ new album, “Those That Broke,” is a sporadic record that begins to wear thin by the end of its 14 tracks. Even though some of the songs are terrific, many of them are listless and repetitive, impairing the album’s overall success.