Magic & Medicine
by The Coral
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Alternative Press
    60
    Medicine is certainly a cohesive and mature outing, but it isn't nearly as fun as the band's previous shenanigans. [May 2004, p.102]
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  2. PopMatters
    60
    Magic & Medicine would be a modest success if it weren't for a handful of songs that nearly ruin things.
  3. The Guardian
    60
    Pretty though much of Magic and Medicine is, it's an ultimately frustrating piece of work.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. NorthFreedomFighter
    Apr 6, 2005
    9
    Beautifully crafted and innovative, a definite must have for anyone with any interest in Brit Rock and psychedelica.
  2. RobertA
    Apr 3, 2004
    8
    This album is lively but a little less fun then their debut.
  3. NseE
    Mar 28, 2004
    10
    ?Magic & Medicine? comprises melodic tunes, and begins with the Beatles-ish ?In the forest?, a short, delightful strumming number, followed ?Magic & Medicine? comprises melodic tunes, and begins with the Beatles-ish ?In the forest?, a short, delightful strumming number, followed by the catchy ?Don?t think you?re the first?. ?Bill McCai? is a bouncy sing-along tune with a sharp twist to the tale. ?Eskimo lament? is a tender ballad with great vocal harmonizing and a superb horn break. Other standouts are ?Secret kiss? and ?Confessions of A.D.D.D? with a great instrumental finale. ?All of our love? would not sound out of place on a Radiohead cd. The bonus cd 'Nightfreak and the Sons of Becker' sounds like it was recorded by an entirely different group. The sound is darker, more experimental, Radiohead-ish (?Song of the corn?, ?Sorrow or the song?, ?Keep me company?) and Super Furry Animal-ish (?Precious eyes?). The standout on this disc is the superb, upbeat ?Grey Harpoon? with its X-Files/Twilight Zone-like sound effects. A splendid slice of Brit pop. … Full Review »
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