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Magic Numbers

Those the Brokes | Capitol
By WERNER TRIESCHMANN  |  August 14, 2007
2.5 2.5 Stars
inside_the-magic-numbers---
A quartet of siblings from London, the Magic Numbers are throwbacks to a time when pop was lighter than air, harmonies were the essential sweetener, and guys sported beards that made them look like teddy bears. The group’s second album continues in the same vein as the generally winning debut — only now the arrangements are lusher and more ornate and, in a few unfortunate cases, the songs are longer. The best moments come when the tunes are fast (“Take a Chance” and “This Is a Song”) and even somewhat gritty (“You Never Had It”). But “Boy” doesn’t want to end, and in too many places voices are pushed down in the mix, which defeats the band’s reason for being. Still, you can hear some lovely Burt Bacharach moments come to the surface and disappear. Perhaps next time they’ll stick around.

The Magic Numbers + Rufus Wainwright | Avalon, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston | August 21 | 617.931.2000
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