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Sep 16, 2010 Issue #32 - Summer 2010 - Wasted on the Youth By Kyle Lemmon

Magic Kids’ glittery retro-pop debut was named Memphis for good reason. Doug Easley recorded the summery record at his River City studio, and, like its namesake, Memphis serves as a meeting point for R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, girl groups, and soul. The veneration for the past is there, obviously infused into the Van Dyke Parks-like string sections of “Summer” and “Candy,” or the absolute exuberance of “Superball.”

San Francisco’s Girls traveled the same sonic pathways, but Easley is less investigational or elaborate with his lazy day melodies. A squashy gust of falsetto, horns, and strings buttress the swaying keyboard popper “Hideout,” but like many of these tracks, it’s a little too twee. Magic Kids’ nostalgic outbursts hit home on the surf choral “Hey Boy;” it’s slight, but keeps its airtight harmonies rolling along. The track (like Memphis) aims to soundtrack a balmy joy ride, and it occasionally succeeds. (www.myspace.com/themagickids)

Author rating: 5/10