The Black Magic Show
by Elefant
  • Record Label: Kemado
  • Release Date: Apr 18, 2006
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 4 out of 17

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  1. BrandonM
    Apr 21, 2006
    3
    I believe this is the first "negative" review I have given on this site. This album just doesn
  2. MaxK
    May 2, 2006
    2
    Is there a worse band out there? Just in case, I'll give this a two.
  3. michaelv.
    Jul 30, 2006
    8
    Totally underrated. Pure pop with an edge. I love it, one of this years best.
  4. MattD.
    Apr 18, 2006
    5
    This CD is uncomfortably caught in between catchy rock and moodier alternative.
  5. TOMMOC
    Apr 21, 2006
    2
    Such a dissapointment. 'Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid' put them at the forefront of the Post-Punk revival while this album appears to expose them as mainstream sell outs. The difference between the two albums parallels the difference between Hot Hot Heats' 'Make Up the Breakdown' and 'Elevator'.
  6. LorettaJ
    Apr 22, 2006
    10
    Amazing, simply amazing
  7. RobJ.
    May 1, 2006
    6
    This album is not nearly as terrible as some of the reviews have indicated. The darker sound is a welcome change. My biggest complaint with this record is that it's been overproduced to death and far too many songs blend in with each other. But like the first album, there are at least 2 or 3 standout tracks which keep my coming back.
  8. sandys
    Jun 29, 2006
    5
    got into the first album on flight back from tenerife and was elated at performance. Have to say if it was this pretty lacklustre album, I may have got of the flight.
  9. justinN
    Nov 22, 2006
    8
    If you're a fan of Elefant, BUY NOW!!! If you are just getting into them, sample a few tracks, then buy. This album isn't new ground for them, but it puts you into a simular state of mind as "Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid." I'd prefer to hear experimentation w/o loosing their original sound, but there's always next album.
  10. BrianC.
    Apr 19, 2006
    4
    What a horrible letdown. is it even the same group?
  11. ms
    Apr 21, 2006
    9
    This is a welcomed darker step up from their debut. An excellent collection of moody alternative music that, although it never breaks any new ground, is totally comfortable standing on the ground it is already on. I applaud the darkness of Diego Garcia's delivery, his elegant yet depressed sounding vocals meld in wonderfully with the atmospheric guitars and backing vocals.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. Amazon.com
    70
    Garcia and company wear their '80s influences proudly throughout, yet bring enough fresh ideas to the mix to avoid being mere slaves to precious retro-fashion.
    Read full review
  2. Blender
    40
    What's the point of a cheesy goth-pop record that isn't any fun? [May 2006, p.105]
  3. Pitchfork
    36
    Elefant's latest is only as deep as its clenched-jaw fake-Brit hooks.
    Read full review
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