Originally written by Ben Yates · 29 October 2007
3 or 4 Magicians
Forever On The Edge
Label: Alcopop! Release Date: 29/10/2007
The debut single from Brighton four-piece 4 or 5 Magicians has one eye on the past and the other on a good tune. Imagine early Seafood with a sense of irony and you’re pretty much there.
4 or 5 Magicians play concise, summery slices of indie-rock reminiscent of Pavement with a Steve Albini-style production edge. ‘Forever On The Edge’ not only boasts a loveable melody so missed from the chord-driven NME crowd, but also a contender for the best lyric of the year: “Only scraping by / Tesco Value ‘til I die / forever on the edge / Sainsbury’s Basics ‘til I’m dead”. It’s the unrealised student hit of the summer. In November.
What’s refreshing about 4 or 5 Magicians is that they have no qualms about revisiting a period that many would rather forget – the 1990’s. There’s no harm in a little nostalgia when other British rock bands are pushing things forward; especially when the nostalgia here is done so well. ‘Forever On The Edge’ ticks all the right boxes:
• It doesn’t sound like Oasis
• It doesn’t sound like Ocean Colour Scene
• It doesn’t sound like Shed Seven
‘Orderly Queue’ is the weakest of the four tracks, with an awkward vocal shuffle and a guitar solo that never breaks out in amidst the fuzz. Never mind though, any criticisms are offset by a LOLsome parody of Tom Waits singing ‘Forever On The Edge’. 4 or 5 Magicians will go far if they can produce another single of the same quality.
Good stuff.
• 8 Ben Yates's Score