Releases
Magic Kids - Memphis Instores August 24th 2010
True Panther Sounds is pleased to present Memphis, the label debut from Magic Kids. Named in homage of their Tennessee hometown.
The album calls on the sounds of a diverse orchestra of local musicians and friends playing oboes, strings, horns, 808s and synths. The songs are unapologetically joyful, unrestrained in their celebration, and fearless in their expression.
There are hints of late 80’s Britpop, the Delphonics’ heartbreaking harmonies, ELO’s grandeur and Belle & Sebastian’s intimacy. Ultimately though the music is all theirs, a collection of eleven instant classics, a glimpse into Magic Kids’ incredible world.
The sound of the album is defiantly contemporary. Recorded at Doug Easley’s studio by Shane Stonebeck (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells), Memphis packs a seriously powerful sonic punch.
The band will be touring all summer with Ariel Pink. onfirmed Canadian dates July 14th Vancouver (Biltmore), July 22nd Toronto (Mod Club), and July 23rd Montréal (La Salla Rosa).
A full North American headlining tour will take place Aug-Sept.
A video for “Superball”, directed by Focus Creeps, will be premiering soon.
Features in Nylon, Paste, Pitchfork, Spin, NME, Stereogum, Gorilla vs. Bear and tons more to confirm shortly.
For the latest, please visit www.myspace.com/themagickids
For more information, please visit www.truepanthersounds.com and www.beggarsgroup.ca
“Without sacrificing its way with a melody, it takes its sweet time (almost four minutes) getting where it’s going. It also feels like the band has picked up a thing or two from Van Dyke Parks and Brian Wilson. In other words, this is to “Hey Boy” as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” is to “Little Deuce Coupe.” – John Sakamoto /
Toronto Star on Summer
“The five piece Magic Kids have got me completely addicted to their sound.” – Alan McGee
“Their infectious upbeat music is instant sunshine.” – Pitchfork
“Rarely has a band with so little output attracted so much attention.” – LA Times
“Magic Kids’ “Summer” makes me think of Elvis Costello crooning vintage Brian Wilson lyrics with the help of Sufjan Stevens’ backup singers.” – Stereogum
“Shades of the timeless pop of Odessey & Oracle-era Zombies on this beautifully restrained track… If the lush, soaring Memphis tracks I’ve heard so far are any indication, this record represents a huge leap forward for the young band.” – Gorilla vs. Bear on Summer
In 2009, a troupe of Tennessean teenagers named Magic Kids dished up one of the year’s best popsongs. Channeling the Beach Boys by way of the Langley Schools Music Project, “Hey Boy” delivered 135 seconds of pure pop bliss: cascading vocal harmonies, Spector-esque wall-of-sound production, tinkling xylophone, blasting saxophone, and sweeping string parts.
Proving they weren’t just one-jam wonders, Magic Kids threw out another couple of killer cuts: the rollicking “Good to Be,” which kind of reminds me of Danielson Famile, and the suitably springy “Superball,” all twee keyboards and sad swipes of violin. Musically speaking, it’s a case of old is the new new: each song is hopelessly, romantically in debt to the Beach Boys, but the familiar chord-changes on display sound gloriously innocent in Magic Kids’ hands.
On the back of such sterling songwriting, Magic Kids have just signed to True Panther Sounds, the impossibly hip imprint that’s recently nestled into a cosy working relationship with indie behemoth Matador. – atl.com
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