When a genre has a resurgence, as 70s rock‘n’roll has of late, suddenly bands spring up all over the place waving the flag, and it can become a battle to sift through the debris to find a genuine article. Magic Bones, however, leave the mediocre bands in the dust, because at the core of their retro rock‘n’roll sound are quality songs. Their self-titled debut EP is lean and muscular in nature, technically proficient, sonically bold and is no doubt a tasty tidbit of things to come.
Space Between Us adheres to the pysch-rock mantra as it builds predominantly around one persevering riff but a second guitar keeps your interest piqued as it weaves in and out, changing the focus as it pleases. It’s this clever guitar interplay between the Magic Bones two guitarists that keeps their sound simultaneously sprawling and engaging at every turn. Devils Spawn follows a more straight forward ’70s rock trajectory. It’s hard not to compare this track to genre stalwarts Led Zeppelin with the vocal inflections echoing a less abrasive Robert Plant and rhythm guitarist Kiri O’Connor’s backs up nailing that uninhibited rock‘n’roll howl, adding even more fire to the furnace. Simple chord plucking see’s How Long begin with blues intentions but it’s heart remains with rock‘n’roll and it quickly finds it way back to the homeland.
The intro of Gouge Out A View makes it an instant standout on the EP; it’s an inviting aural attack that reminds you just how big the sound of Magic Bones can be. Mesmerising vocals push the track along hypnotically and the killer intro riff returns on numerous occasions to jolt you back to reality. The song trails off a little suddenly, albeit this is but a minor criticism of an otherwise electrically charged and dynamic track. Closer So Long, Carry On is self reflective, melancholic and bordering on being a little bit ballady but in it’s own way caps the EP off in a suitably contemplative manner and works some psych-folk into the mix. Nicely done. Magic Bones have got themselves a neat and tidy debut release.
BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
Best Track: Gouge Out A View
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: DEAD MEADOW, LED ZEPPELIN, 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS
In A Word: Tidy
