Saved By Magic

Saved by Magic is by no means a stellar album. The music itself doesn't do a whole lot technically (that I can here anyway), and the lyrics are just silly. They cover "classic" topics of the 70's; making rock and roll to defeat the man (The Messengers), recalling drug induced hazes (Paradise On Earth, Let the Truth be Know), "lovin'" (Inside of you, Kiss Away), and the 70's themselves ('73). To give you a more accurate representation of the silliness level I thought I would pick out some of my favorite lyrics from the album.

"I know I'm crazy//and so are you//these machines were built to phase me//They're built to phase you too" ('73)

"and my opinion on that//is like the tree//the tree who gives you wood"('73)

"go downtown tomorrow night for an orgy of bad taste" (Kiss Away)

"When you think you've lost your buzz//Gettin your rocks off is a must" (Kiss Away)

"Sometimes a wizard...Get's lonely at the top" (Make the Pony Trot)

"Just another day at the office (ring ring)//baby can you hold my calls?//And if I ever mix business with pleasure//Then baby, you can hold my balls (hold his balls)" (Make the Pony Trot)

"Put some love, put some love inside of you (is what i'm gonna do)" (Inside of you)

"Don't work for the man//I work for rock and roll" (Let the Truth be Known)

"Your stereo's too loud and they don't understand you" (The Messengers)

"The kids who burn up what they say//Ejaculate when the flames get higher and higher" (The Messengers)

Really any and all the songs have some pretty weird lyrics and deliveries about topics that aren't relevant now, and may really only be relevant stereotypes for an era that Bjork himself never experienced. Honestly, that's part of why I like them. These songs are adolescent and ridiculous and silly, and I can absolutely identify with those three adjectives, this music causes me to laugh, not only at it, but also at myself. And while not at all technically proficient, the instruments do shine when the lyrics don't get in the way. Brant Bjork always seemed to me to have a creative way to create a lot of feeling with very minimalist melodies. The fact that this album has that whole big sound, with an emphasis on the bass, is wonderful, and translates so well in the instrumental songs like Dr. Aura, Freak Levels, and  Dylan Fantasy. But even with the lyrics as they are some of his short simple riffs are catchy, song's like '73 (which has a nice bongo touch), Lil' Bro, Make the Pony Trot, Let the Truth be Known, The messengers, and Paradise on Earth are each a little varied (like the awesome sample in the beginning of Paradise on Earth) while still flowing with the main sound of the album. The only thing that really gets me down is that some of these songs feel so unrealized and underdeveloped, a contribution from the lyrics no doubt. It's not a classic, nor is it emotionally provocative, but it does have a great relaxed groove, some interesting sounds, and an overall effect of a smile.

As a small aside, covering "Sunshine of your Love" was interesting, and I did enjoy how big and thumpy they made everything, but nothing I've heard compares to Cream's original.