Sony
2004
Magic And Medicine
About This Album
Mixing equal bits Merseybeat melody, ragged "Nuggets" energy, and pure rock nostalgia, the Coral create one of the 21st century's finest odes to 1960s and 1970s garage rock. Not since the La's has a band more convincingly aped an era, and like that album, there's not a cringe-worthy moment in sight. Everything's in its right place, one might say. If the lads were accused of being too bombastic and experimental on their debut, here they reign in their influences and just stick with the program of creating rocking tunes. So subtle are the songwriting, playing, and production, one almost imagines these 12 songs are lost sonic treats from the Animals, Love, or some long-lost band. While a number of songs stick out as catchy, melodic, highlights, particularly the U.K. singles "Don't Think You're the First" and "Pass It On," a majority of the songs work as growers. While the band has abandoned the rousing loony attitude of its debut, and filtered out any ska influence, jazz, blues, and Spanish guitar motifs keep things varied. Beyond the singles, every track works its own fine magic, but the spooky, chugging "Bill McCai," and the atmospheric ballad "Careless Hands," are particularly noteworthy.
Track List

Disc 1 (try tracks 2,5,7 and 10)

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Disc 2 (try track 4)

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