Magic Trick: Ruler Of The Night

Magic Trick
Ruler Of The Night
Hardly Art Records [2012]

 Fire Note Says: Magic Trick is more than just an offshoot of The Fresh & Onlys, Ruler of The Night offers definitive proof!

Album Review:

Tim Cohen is primarily known as Singer/Songwriter for San Francisco’s The Fresh & Onlys. While that band is known for their up-tempo and catchy 60’s garage rock sound sprinkled with elements of Kiwi and country rock, Magic Trick is a different beast altogether. Magic Trick is based on acoustic guitar, harmonies, and a more laid back feel. The songs on their new album, Ruler of the Night, sound as if they were recorded quickly and spontaneously when an idea would pop up during a jam session. In other words, it’s raw and fresh, not labored over, and not overburdened with trying to capture the rock glory that the Fresh & Onlys bring. It simply is what it is, and what a surprising treat that turns out to be!

“Torture”, sounds like something Will Sheff’s evil twin might try and sneak on an Okkervil River lp. It’s a song of longing, wrapped up in an acoustic lo-fi presentation, with a wonderful melody, and it’s the standout track on the lp. As he states in the lyric, He’s going to the gallows in his mind, and we the listener are right there with him.

At times, Magic Trick calls to mind the damaged folk of The Madcap Laughs [1970], such as on the song “Angel Dust”, where the protagonist of the song sings of being haunted until his grave. It’s another dark folky gem, highlighted by a chorus that lifts it to an entirely different level.

It’s great that we as listeners have access to both sides of Cohen’s songwriting with both The Fresh & Onlys and Magic Trick. Here’s hoping he keeps this project active alongside his other, because they are both turning out some of the best music of the decade.

Key Tracks: "Torture", "Angel Dust", "Ruby"

Bands With Similar Fire:

The Fresh & Onlys

Amen Dunes

Okkervil River

Magic Trick Facebook

Hardly Art Records

-Reviewed by Kevin Poindexter