The Magic Numbers - 'Those The Brokes' (Heavenly) Released 06/11/06

Having bloomed into the Nation's hearts with their unabashed pop songs on their eponymous double platinum-selling debut album, The Magic Numbers continue their vocation as the Love Doctors on 'Those The Brokes'. With fresh-faced love songs, energy, melody and boy-girl brother-sister harmonies every bit the cuddly contemporary Mamas and Papas. Love in its many cycles of dewy-eyed coupledom, heartache, we-can-work-it-out and where-did-it-all-go-wrong are tackled with a ripening of style and songwriting. 

Foot-tapping numbers with genuflecting retro-stylings appear on 'This Is A Song', a jaunty rhythm - "...maybe it's over/ but over is not a word that you know...", and the harmonies of the single 'Take A Chance' take in doo-wop with the chorus "...and it's crying shame/ that the love you've made/ is a cross that you bear...". 'Earl's Song' has simple Ice Cream Van sweet chords with Romeo Stodart's heart-plea and an arm-in-arm support, the sweetness continuing for 'Boy' with a chamber waltz.

The girls take over lead vocals with Angela Gannon on 'Undecided' in a characterful Emmylou Harris/Ricky Lee Jones delivery, and the Michelle Stodart's bleeding-heart song 'Take Me Or Leave Me' with a Chamber Quartet and a push on the swings lightness coupled with reminiscences - "...I can't get over you...". Working things out/not splitting up are addressed on the achingly beautiful 'Slow Down (the Way It Goes)' providing one of the most tender songs with delicate chiming guitar licks and choral harmonies - "...and I try and I try to move on/ I guess there's something inside that just keeps holding on...".

Romeo addresses the nervous heart on 'Let Somebody In' providing possibly the finest moment on this release - "...you want love/ but you don't know how..." enhanced by stripped down arrangements. 'Runnin' Out' couples the Buzzcocks new wave energy with Magic Numbers singalong charms, while 'Goodnight' has a alt-country swagger with melodica, harp and violin.

The observant songwriting and vocals of Romeo Stodart on what makes the heart tick with his romantic bent form the backbone for 'Those The Brokes' , with the sultry backing vocals, textured harmonies and uncomplicated jangly-arrangements proving The Magic Numbers possibly the most delightful of contemporary pop bands around. Lots of catchy tunes and an anthem or three to be found on 'Those The Brokes' that may just save an ailing romance or kindle its flickering flame.