Magic And Medicine - Coral (The) > Reviews

Advantages: Very retro feel, Some decent songs, Vocals and guitars mix well
Disadvantages: A few weak links

They are perhaps one of the hardest working bands of the last few years. Since The Coral announced their arrival in early 2002 with the debut self titled album they've never been out of the studio. Over the last 4 years they have released 3 albums and are on the verge of releasing the 4th. It's unusual for a band to make that many albums in that short space of times these days. It used to be something that happened regularly, bands would release an ... Read review

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...released their second full album. Magic and Medicine continues to show their abstract sound, adding a modern twist to all the old sound of the 60s and 70s. 1. In the Forest The album opens with a slow, mournful sounding track, with very little behind it other than a plucking guitar and an organ. Sounds like some of the slower paced tracks from their first album, so nothing too dramatic a change. ‘This is the place where you lose your mind’ is ... Read review

Advantages: Great diverse album
Disadvantages: some songs seem to b short(but still good)

...heed to their critics, but Magic and Medicine has more than enough depth and cohesion to silence the doubters. It is a decidedly darker album than its predecessor, with the singer and lead songwriter James Skelly emerging as a master of brooding reverie, glowering paranoia and wistful longing. American influences (Dylan, Love, even Simon and Garfunkel) abound, but the songs are unmistakably parables from an Irish Sea-lashed northern town. There ... Read review

Advantages: Original, some good tunes
Disadvantages: Songs are very variable in quality

Well, I bought Magic and Medicine on a bit of a whim really. And I don't regret it, don't get me wrong. But, for some strange reason I just can't decide if I really like The Coral, or am I just putting up with them because I went to the effort of buying their album ? You must know what I mean here. When you buy an album and actually part with hard-earned money for it, you kind of feel a little obliged to like it. And mostly, I do like the albums ... Read review