Magic Trick -- Ruler Of The Night

Kenmerken

Genre: Poprock

Beschrijving

Whereas Tim Cohen (The Fresh & Onlys) and co.'s debut album under the name Magic Trick, last year's 'The Glad Birth of Love,' was taken up by four epic, progressive psych-folk tracks averaging 11 minutes apiece, 'Ruler of the Night's' 3-4-minute songs seem somewhat stripped-down in comparison, but it's no less ambitious. Magic Trick's music, for those not familiar with them, is much more personal-sounding and imaginative compared to The Fresh and Onlys up-tempo, catchy 60's-psych and 80's new-wave, and this album may be Tim's most personal and imaginative yet, under any name, and arguably his very best.

Filled with atmospheric, haunting melodies, gorgeous harmonies courtesy of Alicia Vanden Heuvel (Aislers) and Noelle Cahill, and surreal-yet-moving dream-logic narratives, this album somehow manages to be both depressing and uplifting at the same time. While it has its roots in folk and country, the background atmospherics--like droning keyboards, crashing cymbals, wind instrument-type sounds that intertwine with the main melody, tripped-out effects, saw-like sounds, and reverb echo--infuses the songs with a uniquely dreamy sound that sets this album apart from its closest musical relative, that OTHER Cohen--Leonard.

As an obsessive listener and searcher of overlooked psych-music gems, old and new, 'Ruler of the Night' is an album that is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful I've heard in recent memory, and one that seems impossible to wear out, no matter how hard I try. Nearly every song here--from the eerie-yet-lush opener, to the absolutely infectious, upbeat "Sunny," to the languid, "floaty" "Weird Memory"--is excellent, and they're a must-listen for fans of indie-folk, psych, or just-plain-great music.

Considering Tim Cohen releases an album about every six months, the variety of sounds and consistently stellar level of quality is amazing, and I for one hope Magic Trick aren't just a temporary side project, as they're making some the most original and affecting music out there today.