The Magic Numbers – The Runaway

The Magic Numbers, God bless them, seem to have created such a blandly benevolent image of themselves that many (especially the paparazzi) will find it difficult to get “excited” about their return to the circuit with album three, The Runaway.

This is perhaps unfair, given that they clearly have real ability as songwriters and a knack in the studio. The personnel involved with the production of this LP are of a mightily impressive calibre, particularly Drake and Costello collaborator, Robert Kirby, whose glorious string arrangements here would prove to be his last, having sadly died last October.

The songs themselves, however, tragically struggle to detach from the band’s saintly persona – upon hearing the line “erase your life, fuck it up” during Why Did You Call, the whole thing becomes rather uncomfortable. It sounds alright though the combination feels unnatural. The problem is ours, but we’re damned if we can help it. [Mark Holland]