Magnetic Man - Magnetic Man (Columbia)
3/5
By: Jamie Russell
I must say, I'm not exactly au fait with all the latest dub-step 'chat', but I've been led to believe there's something controversial about this record. Apparently there are several bandwagons to choose from, each one with its own stance on Magnetic Man's alchemic blend of pop and dub-step.
The main bugbear is that Magnetic Man are somehow bastardising the genre by giving it blow-dry and sending it out to swim mainstream. But if the record is indeed all set to soundtrack the surface-dwelling masses as they fondle the singles chart in HMV, you've got to take some time out and hear it afresh. Because when it comes down to it Magnetic Man just isn't a drastically new sound, even to those who never had an ear to the ground when dub-step was a subcultural force to be reckoned with.
Yes, they've done a nice job crafting a crossover of classic pop vocals on the one side and headstrong electronics on the other. But it's a curious middle ground. Perhaps it's easier to push the envelope when you choose not to take sides, but the record as a whole makes for a confusing listen - which, if they're building some sort of manifesto, may not be the desired effect. The 'feature' tracks are ultimately the most worthy - two excellent contributions from Katy B, including the preeminent 'Perfect Stranger', and a pretty storming final flourish from John Legend.
But then these tracks are no doubt already well received in their own right. Whether they cohere in the context of an LP is another matter. Ultimately, the in-betweens suffer from a failure of imagination, as if it were somehow enough to produce tracks separately and then line them all up in height order for a school photograph.
In truth, I was never likely to get on with this record. As a whole it lacks a core. To point an accusing finger, what excuse can their really be for the kind of kitsch futurism of 'The Bug'? For something so pallid and dated to weed its way into the company of hyped trailblazers is kind of remarkable. After the 18th loop of the groan-inducing refrain "take evolution higher", it occurs to me that Magnetic Man would do well to heed their own call and perhaps go a little higher next time round.
Artists in this article: Magnetic Man
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