The Magic Hour (Post One): Musical Magic...

I think it was the sage XO who said on his post recently that it has been a rather magical year for music so far and I couldn't agree more. While I have probably found magic in different places to other people (could my obsession with the Benny Andersson Band song be any more entirely consuming), it's a joyous thing indeed when you actually feel you are neglecting albums on your mp3 player rather than struggling for something to listen to! And as it's Harry Potter day across the world (hurrah for the Half Blood Prince etc - see my twitter for Harry inspired songs!), I thought I'd have a bit of a magic day here. And what is more lovely to kick it off than this just edible choral version of Lily Allen's Chinese. I think it's one of the most lovely, twee, whimsical, delightful things I've heard since Second Best To None. And you can also download it free from their website. Heavenly.

3 Albums that are a magical listening experience:

There are many albums that I am loving this year and a fair few that I haven't written about thanks to my self imposed weekly blog update (poor Little Boots - such an ace piece of work that seems like it was made entirely for my pop tastes). There are albums that I love and feel quite happy listening to as a whole or popping in and out of whatever my preferred track is that day. And then there are albums that I feel have to be listened to as a whole to appreciate the whole majesty and splendour of the work - one song at a time just isn't enough. So their tracks may not feature on my top 21 weekly songs but overall they will probably end up quite high on my year end fave albums charts. Here are summaries of the best 3 so far...

Florence and The Machine, Lungs: First of all, splash out for the deluxe edition. It's totally worth it just for the packaging and booklet alone. The music is poetic brilliance ranging from majestic anthems (Rabbit Heart) to spellbinding wonder (Blinding has stunning string arrangements and a pulsating pounding beat) to creatively challenging (Between Two Lungs is an astounding creation of sounds and lyrics). XO and Adem love her :)

VV Brown, Travelling Like The Light: She's not exactly another Amy/Duffy/Pixie wannabe, possibly because she's mixing a more 50s inspired doo-wop sound with light and airy guitars and melodies that are timeless whenever you listen to them. Her tunes are as much Puppini Sisters as they are Alesha Dixon. Shame that the hype is putting some people off (it did me at first - pop icon?!), because delve in and the whole album is ever so delightful.

Charlie Winston, Hobo: Lovely Charlie gets a musical tick for being the brother of quite charming Tom Baxter. Hobo is probably the album I expected Paolo Nutini to make but didn't. A hint of blues and soul music run throughout the album, which ultimately plays like an extended love letter to love. Sometimes the songs are exuberant, sometimes melancholic but always a joy to listen to - check out his acoustic session from BBC radio. Lyrics and melody floating around and woven together by Charlie's distinctive voice. Elegant.

Plus the Sally Shapiro songs are quite nice (Love In July; Miracle)!
Plus part two! James Leon has put his video for Purple Heart on his own youtube site. Bonza!
Plus part three! New Industry single available for preview at Chartrigger! Wizard!!