Before the Waves
| Before the Waves | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Magic Man | ||||
| Released | 8 July 2014 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Columbia Records | |||
| Producer | Alex Aldi | |||
| Magic Man chronology | ||||
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Before the Waves is the second album and major label debut by the Boston band Magic Man. It was produced by Alex Aldi[1] and was released on July 8th 2014.[2]
Critical reception
The album was met by positive reviews. GQ said that the album was, "12 Tracks of Alt Joy" and that the album is "full of solid electric beats, hazy (good hazy) vocals, and synth."[1]
The Boston Globe wrote "The songs, particularly first single “Paris,” unfurl with an emphasis on keeping everything light and airy. Frontman Alex Caplow has a similar sweep in his voice, the kind of majestic croon that suggests it will sound perfect in stadium-size sing-alongs", adding "The album puts Magic Man in the same league as other electro-leaning pop bands, from St. Lucia to Sir Sly"[3]
Substream Magazine gave the album 4 out of 5, saying, "The album has an energetic sense of urgency, inspiring the listener to never spend one minute sitting still, but to go out and experience everything life has to offer." and further adding "Besides the story-like lyrics, Before the Waves would not be the polished product it is without the magical sounds of their ever present synth, which adapts to fit the mode of any song."[4]
Sound of Boston gave the album an 8.3 out of 10, noting that "Before the Waves thrives in a classic indie-pop space: a portrait of the best parts of youthful bliss."
Recording
In an interview with Sound of Boston, Sam revealed that the sample at the beginning of “Texas” was discovered while digging for records; it was “one of the best things we ever found in those record bins.”[5]
Album Artwork
The photo on the cover of their EP You Are Here — a single smoke bomb trailing a colorful haze — was taken by a British art student whose work the band came across online.[5]
Track listing
All tracks written by Magic Man. Alex Caplow is the lead vocalist on all of the songs in the album.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Texas" | 3:37 |
| 2. | "Apollo" | 3:33 |
| 3. | "Paris" | 3:52 |
| 4. | "Catherine" | 3:36 |
| 5. | "Chicagoland" | 4:22 |
| 6. | "Honey" | 3:43 |
| 7. | "Tonight" | 3:37 |
| 8. | "Every Day" | 3:39 |
| 9. | "Out of Mind" | 3:31 |
| 10. | "Waves" | 3:43 |
| 11. | "Too Much" | 3:56 |
| 12. | "It All Starts Here" | 5:09 |
| 13. | "South Dakota" (Hidden track) | 2:52 |
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Substream Magazine |   [4] |
Trivia
Their song, Tonight also featured as soundtrack in EA Sports game, FIFA 15.
References
- 1 2 Jannuzzi, John. "Magic Man's "Before the Waves" is 12 Tracks of Alt Joy". www.gq.com. GQ. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ↑ "Magic Man announce album release". Twitter. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ↑ Reed, James. "Magic Man, 'Before the Waves'". The Boston Globe.
- 1 2 "REVIEW: Magic Man – 'Before The Waves'". Substream Magazine.
- 1 2 Bedian, Knar. "Local Spotlight: Magic Man". www.soundofboston.com.