Magazine Gap – What’s That About?

A confident, classic sounds pops throughout Magazine Gap’s defiant “What’s That About?”. They sing with such incredible passion for the vocals have a fiery presence to them. Everything about the sound feels timeless from the poetic lyrics to the hybrid style. Everything filters into the mix from a polished pop sound anchoring it to elements of funk, jazz, rock, with a certain theatrical flair. Cinematic in a way reminiscent of Jon Brion’s studious, urbane approach, the way the songs play off each other makes the album best when taken in as a singular whole. Highly colorful they prove to be deft in painting an ornate lovely realm.

                Right from the beginning they burst forth with so much energy on “Possibilities”. Aptly named, the amount of hope and optimism imbued within the work gives it a certain poignancy. On “Superficial” big bold piano and nimble guitar merge into an infectious groove. The reflectiveness of “For The Ride” slows things down a bit. Elements of the blues filter into the dramatic flourishes of “What’s That About?”. “Kings, Queens, & Jokers” serves as the very heart of the album, from which all else flows. Done with such poignancy the work feels so vibrant and real. A wild jazz-like fervor runs through “In Two Minds”.

                Horns add to the heft of “Ran For Cover” which features impeccable storytelling. Nimble drum work gives “Dancing In Quicksand” an impressive tenderness. Cascading keyboards intermingle giving “Snakes & Ladders” a kaleidoscopic view. Within this piece Magazine Gap touches upon Ben Folds Five’s gleeful abandon. “Body Language” goes for an old-school sound, with the keyboards placed front and center, giving it a feeling of grandeur. Interplay between the band reaches another high point on the swinging swagger of “Calling Card”. Perfectly closing out the album is the satisfying “Jericho”.

                “What’s That About?” shows off Magazine Gap’s intense imagery, crafting a style that truly is uniquely theirs.