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.
Overture [super-wicked-cool song]The Magic Position [wicked-cool song]
Magpie [wicked-cool song]The Stars [wicked-cool song]***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
1. Jack The Ripper
Bloc Party:
Cold War Kids with Tokyo Police Club: 
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.
Air has never been short in creating some sort of atmosphere in their music... while 2004’s masterpiece Talkie Walkie had this dark, strange and creepy, but sometimes sexy vibe; Pocket Symphony, their latest, has this mysterious, mellow, and isolated and escape feel to it... if anything, Pocket Symphony sounds like a more mature version of The Virgin Suicides Soundtrack. This is surely another one of those perfect strolling through the city albums.
Check out "Cut Cut Paste", the bonus track from the vinyl version of A Lesson In Crime EP by Tokyo Police Club.
Don’t forget, Patrick’s latest single 
Not only do I love making those year-end lists, I also love reading other peoples’ lists as well... it’s a great and easy way to discover new music. In the past few weeks, I have noticed that Someone To Drive You Home by The Long Blondes has been popping up in many of those lists. I have heard of the band in the past, but I had no idea what they sounded like. So naturally, I checked out MySpace and downloaded a few songs from the album. Within a short period of time, I find myself liking the record tremendously and enjoying it more and more with each listen. Someone To Drive You Home is like a bowl of indie pop rock with a hint of 70s punk and 80s New Wave. It is catchy as hell; and the young and fun vibe is surely the main attraction of the record! As much as I hate to do this… but in a way, Someone To Drive You Home falls right in the middle of Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Fever To Tell and Show Your Bones... it is not as hyper as the former, but not as rock anthem like as the latter.
Although it was released under the band name Beirut, Gulag Orkestar was essentially "a solo record" by Zach Condon. In a way, Gulag Orkestar introduced to the world the limitless musical talent of young Zach Condon. On the contrary, Beirut’s latest EP, Lon Gisland was recorded by a full band. The result: first-rate quality music!! As the amateur-ish sound from Gulag Orkestar sadly departs, Lon Gisland features a more professional, sharper sound... but with that being said, it still retains that loveable classic-romantic-Eastern-European-folky-Beirut sound. In addition to four brand new songs(!), the new EP also features an amazing full band reproduction of "Scenic World". Lon Gisland will definitely attract new Beirut fans, and it will no doubt make fans of Gulag Orkestar excitingly awaits for a new Beirut full length.
