The Magic Numbers (album)

The Magic Numbers
The phrase "The Magic Numbers" spelled out with children's toy blocks
Studio album by The Magic Numbers
Released 13 June 2005 (2005-06-13)
Recorded Recorded and mixed at Metropolis Studios and Konk Studios, mixed at Metropolis Mastering, mastered at Sanctuary Townhouse.
Genre Indie pop
Length 64:37
Label Heavenly, EMI
Producer Craig Silvey and Romeo Stodart
The Magic Numbers chronology
The Magic Numbers
(2005)
Those the Brokes
(2006)Those the Brokes2006
Singles from The Magic Numbers
  1. "Forever Lost"/"Idea of a Feeling"/"I Hope You Don't Mind"
    Released: 23 May 2005
  2. "Love Me Like You"/"Drunk on Your Words"/"Delphina's Song"/"Travelling Souls"
    Released: 8 August 2005
  3. "Love's a Game"/"Keep It in the Pocket"/"Last Night I Fell"
    Released: 24 October 2005
  4. "I See You, You See Me"/"Forever Lost" (by Magic Fractions)/"Close Your Eyes"/"There Is a Light That Never Goes Out"/"Crazy in Love"
    Released: 16 January 2006

The Magic Numbers is the self-titled debut album from The Magic Numbers. It was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize in 2005. Songwriting duties were taken by Romeo Stodart as was much of the musical composition and arrangement. It incorporated the earlier single release of "Hymn for Her" as a hidden track. The album incorporates many folk elements within the main indie sound which resounds throughout. The album also reflects many elements of the writers early childhood dreams, tales of their love life and desperation of youth. For example, "Love Me Like You", the best known single of the album, illustrates the difference of feeling in their love for each other.

Production

The Magic Numbers began recording the album in late 2004 at the Metropolis Studios in Chiswick.[1] The album was co-produced by Romeo Stodart and American producer Craig Silvey.[2]

Reception

The album was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2005, but lost to Antony and the Johnsons' I Am a Bird Now.[3] The Magic Numbers came 43rd in PopMatters' 50 Best Albums of 2005.[2]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic80/100 link
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link
Robert Christgau link
Pitchfork Media7.6/10 25 May 05
Rolling Stone 6 Oct 05

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Mornings Eleven"Michele Stodart, Romeo Stodart5:34
2."Forever Lost"Romeo Stodart4:11
3."The Mule"Romeo Stodart5:11
4."Long Legs"Romeo Stodart3:22
5."Love Me Like You"Romeo Stodart4:50
6."Which Way to Happy"Romeo Stodart4:27
7."I See You, You See Me"Romeo Stodart6:00
8."Don't Give Up the Fight"Romeo Stodart2:59
9."This Love"Romeo Stodart5:40
10."Wheels on Fire"Michele Stodart, Romeo Stodart4:03
11."Love's a Game"Romeo Stodart4:48
12."Try/Hymn for Her"Romeo Stodart13:32
Japanese edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
16."Idea of a Feeling"Sean Gannon, Romeo Stodart 
17."I Hope You Don't Mind"Romeo Stodart 
Total length:64:37

Personnel

The Magic Numbers
Other personnel

Release history

Country Date Label Format Catalog
United Kingdom 13 June 2005 Heavenly CD HVNLP53CD
LP HVNLP53
United States 2 August 2005 EMI CD 312162

Charts

Chart (2005–06) Peak
position
scope="row" Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[4] 33
scope="row" French Albums (SNEP)[5] 142
scope="row" Irish Albums (IRMA)[6] 12
scope="row" Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[7] 38
scope="row" Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[8] 11
scope="row" UK Albums (OCC)[9] 7

Sales chart performance

Single (British releases) Peak chart positions
"Forever Lost" 15[9]
"Love Me Like You" 12[9]
"Love's a Game" 24[9]
"I See You, You See Me" 20[9]

References

  1. Mcguire, Kevin (11 November 2010). "The Magic Numbers heavenly melodies and west of Ireland connections". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 "The Best 50 Albums of 2005". PopMatters. 9 December 2005. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  3. "Antony and Johnsons win Mercury". BBC News. 7 September 2005. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  4. "Ultratop.be – The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  5. "Lescharts.com – The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  6. "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 24, 2005". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved accessdate=12 April 2014.
  7. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  8. "Swedishcharts.com – The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Magic Numbers | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved 12 April 2014.
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