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Magic DirtSnow White EW/Warner When a band claims they want to break their own rules, it's as potentially terrifying as it is exciting. Does it mean they've lost their passion? They're second-guessing themselves? Or that they're now comfortable enough to experiment in ways they would never have previously considered? In Magic Dirt's case, it seems evolution has simply caught up. This is definitely Magic Dirt, but not always the one you know. Opener Feels Like A Demon borrows liberally from the Weezer songwriting book, but is streets ahead of what the nerd-rockers have done lately. A chugging riff propels the song with Adalita's vocals sitting smack in the centre of the mix. In the last minute though, her voice is layered in a most un-Magic Dirt style. Welcome to 'Snow White'. First single Locket is short, sharp and very, very catchy; the obvious bridge from 'Tough Love'. Envious and I Love The Rain are the major surprises of the album, both featuring acoustic guitars and sounding like summer in musical form. But they shouldn't overshadow the rest of the record. There are still some great guitar freak-outs to be found. Grab Yr Hair bristles with nervous energy, exploding into a frenzy of guitars and crashing drums, before collecting itself and slinking off peacefully. Fan favourite Sleep leads into Mother's Greatest Fear; psychedelia from the wrong side of the tracks that builds relentlessly as Adalita's singing becomes a gut-wrenching howl. The band pulls out all stops and the mix is filled with as many sounds as possible. It's a lush album as a whole, but this is the sonic highpoint. The electricity of the band's live show has still not been caught on tape, but 'Snow White' is possibly the definitive Magic Dirt record, and finds the band playing by their own rules. Some are just a little less than intact these days.  |
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