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The Magic Numbers
by
The Magic Numbers Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 77 Ratings

  • Summary: This debut disc showcases the 50s and 60s pop stylings and three-part harmonies of the pair of brother-sister duos (Romeo & Michelle Stodart and Sean & Angela Gannon) that make up The Magic Numbers.

Top Track

I See You, You See Me
I never wanted to love you, but that's ok I always knew that you'd leave me anyway But darling when I see you, I see me I asked the boys if they'd... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. musicOMH.com
    100
    Nothing quite prepares you for the sheer beauty of The Magic Numbers' music.
  2. Neumu.net
    90
    The comparisons to the Mamas and the Papas are ultimately weak; there's a lot of blues mixed in with the folky pop, and traces of '80s British band Prefab Sprout, who also spun their troubles into melodic gold full of boy/girl harmonizing.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    There are pretty, moody moments... but what unites them all is a cheery, zippy exuberance that is rare these days. [21 Oct 2005, p.75]
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  4. Blender
    80
    Resistance is useless. [Oct 2005, p.139]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. ShakingThrough.net
    74
    While the lyrics tend toward the generic and vapid... the primary appeal of Magic Numbers is the lovely harmonizing.
  6. The A.V. Club
    70
    The album becomes increasingly hard to hold onto. The band gets lost in the feel of hippie-era California and forgets that the musicians they admire were skilled craftsmen as well as aesthetic adventurers.
  7. AllMusic
    50
    It all glides by easily enough on its surface, but dig a little deeper and The Magic Numbers reveals itself to be not just a crashing bore, but an irritating one.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 63
  3. Negative: 8 out of 63
  1. [Anonymous]
    Aug 2, 2005
    10
    An absolutely sublime sounding debut album. A trully mature first offering from a group I expect to hear more from in the future.
  2. BuckRodgers
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    All the bullshit about the Mama's and the Papas is ridiculous.
  4. AngelloC
    Apr 16, 2007
    10
    showing us that music styles never expire, maybe it sounds like 60's but its perfect to take us away, specially today, when everybody showing us that music styles never expire, maybe it sounds like 60's but its perfect to take us away, specially today, when everybody with stress need it… Expand
  5. AliC
    Jul 11, 2005
    9
    An almost perfect record, let down only by a couple of suboptimal drones (The Mule and Which Way to Happy), and that deeply irritating habit An almost perfect record, let down only by a couple of suboptimal drones (The Mule and Which Way to Happy), and that deeply irritating habit of hiding the best track at the end (cf Snow Patrol Final Straw). Forever Lost and Love Me Lke You are the best pop songs since erm... ABBA ahem.… Expand
  6. matta
    Oct 27, 2005
    8
    Very pretty, inoffensive album. Doens't take alot of risks, but like other artists in this same vein like Ron Sexsmith, being innovative Very pretty, inoffensive album. Doens't take alot of risks, but like other artists in this same vein like Ron Sexsmith, being innovative and eclectic really isn't the point. Stong debut.… Collapse
  7. lucaf
    Jul 27, 2005
    6
    ah, when it comes to the magic numbers, the reviews bring new meaning to the word "overrating". Nice, they sound nice but their music is so ah, when it comes to the magic numbers, the reviews bring new meaning to the word "overrating". Nice, they sound nice but their music is so "flat" i could sleep on it. Yes, harmonies but it's all deja écouté, already heard. But who are the magic numbers mum and dad? No i was really anxoius to hear such a stunning record and what do i have? nothing special, really… Expand
  8. NickD
    Jun 25, 2005
    0
    The Emperor has no clothes, guys. This is one dimensional, bland, boring, guitar pop music that owes so much to the Mamas and the Papas we The Emperor has no clothes, guys. This is one dimensional, bland, boring, guitar pop music that owes so much to the Mamas and the Papas we can consider the Magic Numbers to be beyond their overdraft limits. Hymn For Her is cheesy, overly saccharine, and deeply annoying. Lead single Forever Lost is just bland. Music for people who've given up on being entertained by music.… Expand

See all 63 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Best Album of 2005
54
#54 Most Discussed Album of 2005
37
#37 Most Shared Album of 2005

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