Product Description

After the runaway success of their self-titled debut in 2005, The Magic Numbers return with their second offering 'Those The Brokes'. Recorded and produced by the band themselves,the album sees the band continue with dreamy sunshine indie-pop that graced their debut. The single 'Take A Chance' is also included.

Track Listing

1. This Is A Song
2. You Never Had It
3. Take A Chance
4. Carl's Song
5. Boy
6. Undecided
7. Slow Down (The Way It Goes)
8. Most Of The Time
9. Take Me Or Leave Me
10. Let Somebody In
11. Runnin' Out
12. All I See
13. Goodnight

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29416 in Music
• Released on: 2006-11-06
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Enhanced, Limited Edition

Amazon.co.uk Review
The second album from The Magic Numbers, Those The Brokes find this hirsute UK foursome – comprised of two brother/sister pairs, Michele and Romeo Stodart with Angela and Sean Gannon - expanding on the florid, harmonic pop vision showcased on their Mercury Music Prize-nominated 2005 debut. Importantly, Those The Brokes doesn't just mimic that album's most obvious tricks – or, indeed, the tricks of their forefathers (The Beach Boys, The Mamas and the Papas). Indeed, these 13 tracks often find The Magic Numbers eschewing straightforward breezy sing-alongs for more complex outings that boast a more nuanced understanding of shade and space, or hide firm, beating hearts underneath their diaphanous pop exteriors. Oh, okay, the opening "This is a Song" prances along at a fleet-footed tempo, all lilting, interlocking voices and tumbling guitars. But "Take a Chance" comes on like a candy-flavoured Sonic Youth, breathy harmonies hiding choppy guitar crunch, while "Undecided" – a mid-album delight that sees Angela take the microphone for a bruised, bluesy paean to breaking up and making up – boasts the sort of vintage soul muscle that few, to date, have given the Magic Numbers credit for. Time to reconsider. --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews

A bit disappointing
The second album is similar to the first but just not as good. Firstly the recording quality is every bit as good as the debut album - beautiful - and Michelle sings more, which, as she has a better voice than her brother, is good. The main trouble is that there are too many sad songs and not enough foot tappers. Maybe the album would have benefitted from the tracks being in a different order. The opener is excellent but far too long. The second chugs along nicely too. Take a chance ups the tempo a bit and is another highlight. Carl's Song is also quite chuggy. Boy is far too repetitive. Undecided brings back the nice slow rocky vibe and helped by Michelle's vocals. Slow down is sweet and memorable. Most of the time is similar to Undecided with a great repeating note guitar riff. The song itself is not that great though. Take me or leave me is a very slow waltz with some strings but the sort of music to commit suicide to. Likewise Let somebody in, although at least this one has some drums on it. Running out slams in a breakneck speed and a strange time signature but is probably the least memorable track. All I see is a real dirge and one you can forget while you are hearing it. Goodnight is a countryfied waltz which is also pretty forgettable.

So to sum up - too long, too many dirges. Lose the last 3 songs, change the order and cut the length of some of the others and this could have been a good album. However as it stands, there are some great moments but you will be glad when it's finished. However stick with it as it does improve with every listen.

music for a hair salon
I was amazed to see this album selling on Amazon for 46p. That's got to be worth a punt surely ? Sadly,after hearing the album a few times I feel I've been robbed !
This is an absolutely diabolical record. For four guys and girls who look like Hells Angels,they make music that sounds like some sugary Christian pop group who have based their sound on the blandest most inoffensive pap they could find.
Vapid do-wop do-wop vocals laid over the lead vocalist whose voice is so weak it makes Tiny Tim sound like Pavarotti.
The songwriting is dire,the instrumentals are tinny. The whole edifice is excruciating.
How did they ever get nominated for The Mercury Prize !

A decent album, but ultimately disappointing.
After the wonderful joyous record that was their first album, they were always going to be up against it with the follow up.
Those The Brokes is on the whole a strong album. The distinctive Magic Numbers sound is their in force, with happy, tuneful songs, beautiful harmonies, and an abundance of clever tempo changes.
It's nowhere near as poppy as the first album, with no obvious radio contenders to be a radio favorite, and a darker, denser sound in evidence on some tracks.
None the less, it is an enjoyable listen that does grow with each listen.

But here comes the 'however'.........

I believe they produced the album themselves, and to be honest, it shows. A professional producer or editor would have cut the album off well before the end. Sadly, the final 5 tracks or so are quite unmemorable , and as a result the album tails off, leaving you with a disappointed taste in your mouth, almost to the point where it's easy to forget that the first 8 tracks are really good.

In my opinion this is a decent album, a worthy purchase if you were a fan of the first one, but prepare to feel a tad let down. A few less time-fillers and maybe one or two bona fide hit singles would have brought this close to their debut. As it stands, it feels like more of a stopgap before they return, with what I'm sure will be a great comeback album!