So by now, I think that pretty much all Patrick Wolf fans are aware that The Magic Position has been leaked. For the longest time, the album being leaked was... and I guess still is a hot topic in the P. Wolf community. It is an extremely sensitive issue and many were criticized for even discussing/talking about certain tracks off The Magic Position. Thus, I was hesitant on writing this post. I know Patrick worked extremely hard on this record and it is no doubt a big career achievement as The Magic Position is Patrick’s major label debut. As I have commented earlier, this is one of the few albums I will not post in its entirety because I simply want/will try to make people buy the album when it comes out. Also, I want everyone to keep in mind that (I think) the leaked is from a promo copy. Therefore, this is a review on the leaked version, and not the retail version of the album... as the two may have some dissimilarities.The Magic Position opens with "Overture", my favorite song on the album. Although I must say, I prefer the live version from XFM radio back in October 17, 2006 more. Nevertheless, the song carries the same earnest lyrics and I connect with it on such a high emotional level... probably more so than any other P. Wolf songs... it literally put me to tears the first time I heard it. The title track is a wonderful love song with the most positive lyrics and up tempo music. I think this should be the first thing people hear when they wake up in the morning... if only that could really happen, the world would be a better place! Next is "Accident & Emergency"... which I don’t think I need to say much about as all Patrick Wolf fans have been enjoying this one for the last few months.
The mood suddenly changes after "Accident & Emergency" as the next two are a couple of very dark songs: "The Bluebell" and "Bluebells". Naturally, "The Bluebell" acts as a prelude to "Bluebells". It is about someone hiding, distancing, and isolating him/herself from others; and "Bluebells" is about the separation of two people. Memories are being recalled by the narrator as the song’s heartbreaking lyrics are contrasted by the celebratory fireworks effects heard throughout the track.
Marianne Faithfull gorgeous, yet haunting voice is featured on "Magpie", yet another very dark track on the album. The string-arrangements along with the piano set the perfect atmosphere for this song, especially under Patrick’s and Marianne’s vocals... making "Magpie" one of the most memorable tracks on the record. "The Kiss" is an instrumental track that links "Magpie" and "Augustine" together. For me, I think "Augustine" is the most Wind In The Wires sounding song on The Magic Position. I mean, everything from the instrumentations to the rhythms and lyrics are all very WITW like. "Secret Garden" is another connecting track... unfortunately, it is very minimal sounding and there is really nothing special to it.
The mood of the album takes a 360 turn yet again with another optimistic love track in "Get Lost". This simple and upbeat song celebrates the love of two people as they undertake unpredictable courses together. I guess the next song, "Enchanted", is a continuation/extension of their devotions as the two lovers found the magical place where they can be free and happy forever. "Enchanted" is also very interesting as it does not sound like any other P.W. songs. It has this very refreshing lounge, jazzy, blues kind of feel to it. Lastly, "The Stars" is just superb! I absolutely love the high energy that the music and Patrick’s vocal bring to this track. In my opinion, I think this incredibly fantastic dream-like song should have been the closure for The Magic Position, instead of the very unnecessary "Finale". So there, The Magic Position is divided evenly between bright and tragic music and subject matters. The sound and style is in a way, the combination of both Lycanthropy and Wind In The Wires. Despite two or three less interesting tracks, I think The Magic Position will satisfy most die-hard Patrick Wolf fans.
***links to the songs were blocked/removed by Patrick Wolf’s affiliates. this is more than reasonable as the album is not out yet and the songs were leaked illegally. as a result, please do not ask for a repost of the songs in respect of the artist. thank you.
The Magic Position comes out on February 26, you can pre-order it here
13 comments:
I agree with you on the 'super wicked cool', this is a fantastic album, and I'd never really listened to this guy before.. must check out his other stuff.
Cool! ...new Patrick Wolf fan!! You should listen to Lycanthropy first: To The Lighthouse, Pigeon Song, The Childcatcher, A Boy Like Me... omg, that entire album is great. Then you should check out Wind In The Wires: Wind In The Wires, The Gypsy King, and This Weather are all gorgeous... again, the entire album is amazing!
Thanks for The Stars,a very lovely track.do you have Adder?Can't wait for his album!Have you heard the songs he performed at the residence gallery?
Thanks for those other tracks Jackman! This guy is a real talent..
For some reason Overture reminds me of Childcatcher... I have no idea why. My fave is the stars, magpie kinda creeps me out as I said, and I like magic position. I thought finale actually compiled the album nicely, after noticing the inclusion of the bells as a nice toss-back to TMP.
Ooh The Stars has been blocked,:( been wanting to hear that one..
At the Bloomsbury gig Patrick said of Augustine that it was the one unhappy song on his new happy record, and played it along with Wind in the Wires / Lycanthropy stuff instead of with the new stuff. He also bleached his hair halfway through! Amazing.
New album is fantastic, I love "The Secret Garden" and of course all the others.
chrissie, i cannot re-upload "The Stars", but if you email me (j11c@hotmail.com), i might be able to send it to you...
... and "Augustine" definitely has one of the saddest tones on the album!
I felt so guilty seeing thos red words.:X I have emailed you already.
I actually considered downloading the leak because of my extreme impatience, but once I read the letter patrick wrote, back when wind in the wires was leaked, I felt a bit guilty for even considering it. I preordered the album many weeks ago, so I still intended on purchasing it, as I'm sure everyone who downloaded the leak will. but I'm glad I'm going to wait because I wouldn't want to compromise the magic of opening a new album and listening to it all the way through, opinions for each track blossoming. it's just too good. and that's the way it's meant to be.
You are right Ferran! The art and pleasure of opening a previously unheard album is lost now-a-days. I know I am very guilty of downloading leaked albums largely due to my impatience... oh, how I envy your resistance!!! I do hope that everyone who downloaded the leaked will go buy The Magic Position when it comes out... it really saddens me that so many people rely only on illegal downloads rather than spending money on records... for me, the booklet and the packaging of a record are as important as the songs.
I absolutely adore this album, my particular favorites being, "bluebells," "augustine," and "overture." Patrick definitely has not let his fans down, even despite the obvious differences between Wind In the Wires and The Magic Position. Even though the album did leak, I know that I will still buy his album, no matter how hard to get it will be in the US (hopefully not too hard...).
yea, i hope i can find it on the release date... but i highly doubt that!
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