It took me a little while to get around to this one, but the new album by Patrick Wolf, titled The Magic Position, is one of the most stunning releases to-date for 2007. This lanky, red-headed kid has brought his music to a whole new level.
I’ve read the comparisons to Bowie and Beck, and I agree to some degree, but I hear more influence and originality than two reference points can provide. Wolf has rendered a new wave undercurrent on The Magic Position that gives him a familiar foundation on which to place expertly crafted melodies, confident vocals and brilliant cut and paste noodlings. The varied and layered arrangements boggle the mind at times, but much to the surprise of an attentive listener’s ear, they never muddy the waters or retract from the song. In fact, they leave you mesmerized and never cease to surprise and delight. Each new electro-pop gem leaves you smiling over what you just heard, but filled with anticipation for what’s coming next. The Magic Position is an almost flawless album experience.
The record loses a bit of steam toward the end, but by the time you get there you’re so enthralled with what you’ve heard, you’re willing to grant a pass. Especially in this new modern age of the digital single.
Honestly, I was truly surprised by this album. I’ve been hearing the buzz, which always piques my curiosity, but wasn’t expecting too much from this 23-year-old’s third record. And now the news is that Patrick is calling it quits and retiring from music in November. A brilliant promotional prank? A tender ego looking for more assurance? Or maybe, Wolf is truly the eccentric he seems to be on the surface? I guess we’ll see next year, but if it is true, this is quite an album to end a career with. After all, it will be awfully difficult to top.
Listen to this album in full via Rhapsody here - restricted to U.S. only.
Tracklisting:
1. Overture
2. The Magic Position
3. Accident & Emergency (Ben Hillier Mix)
4. The Bluebell
5. Bluebells
6. Magpie
7. The Kiss
8. Augustine
9. Secret Garden
10. Get Lost
11. Enchanted
12. The Stars
13. Finale
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