Hal, Magic Numbers etc C/D

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Their debut came out recently but I haven't heard much talk on ILM yet.
Looks like the new trend in British rock is to reference the Beach Boys a lot what with acts like the Magic Numbers also doing this, but I think Hal do a very good job, particularly with the song "Play the Hits" which I've had on repeat since first hearing it.
The rest of the album could do with a few more upbeat numbers.

Strange that many of these new bands are avoiding the Pet Sounds or cars'n'girls era Beach Boys and going for the post-Smile style compositions. "Play The Hits" sounds kind of similar to Al Jardine's "Lady Linda" from the late 70s whereas the rest of the album makes me think of Dennis Wilson's work during that time.

Haven't heard that much of the Magic Numbers yet. Wasn't that impressed but maybe need another listen.

Anyway, if anything "Play The Hits" is classic.

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 26 May 2005 11:49 (twenty-one years ago)

i was reading something the other day, on the tube, that said there was a band that was like beach boys if they had grown up in kings cross. it seemed a long winded way of saying more indie, to me. i think it was this band, might have been another though

― charltonlido (gareth), Thursday, 26 May 2005 11:50 (twenty-one years ago)

i find all the british beach-boys referencing bands to be remarkably dud - the earlies, the thrills, hal, etc. Haven't heard that Hal tune, though. I've only heard the M.N. single, which reminded me much more of Camera Obscura than Brian Wilson...

― Sean M (Sean M), Thursday, 26 May 2005 11:53 (twenty-one years ago)

i think they are funny rather than dull. its lucky that their press kits always tell you they're influenced by the beach boys, otherwise, going by the cd alone, you wouldnt have a clue

― charltonlido (gareth), Thursday, 26 May 2005 11:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Most of the Hal album doesn't really sound much like classic Brian Wilson Beach Boys. It sounds more like the better songs from Keeping The Summer Alive with "Play The Hits" being the token Brian song.
I am yet to decide whether this is a good thing or not.

I think Hal are from Dublin of all places.

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:08 (twenty-one years ago)

The gig I saw on the Magic Numbers/Hal tour was one of the happiest gigs I've ever been to. I don't think I've been to a gig where so many band members were smiling onstage.

I did feel quite guilty about liking Hal though, but they do have some very beautiful songs. However, it hssn't quite convinced me to buy the album yet.

― jellybean (jellybean), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:11 (twenty-one years ago)

That is OTM jellybean. On the surface Hal look like another NME-friendly overmarketed bit of hype but the songs are genuinely heartfelt, interesting and the band (in the video) look genuinely happy and interested in doing what they're doing. It's a breath of fresh air from all the Strokes/Libertines mulletations.

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't realise they toured together.

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I was somewhat unsure about HAL, they had been compared to the Beautiful South in more than one review and that really put me off and the Thrills comparisons didn't help either. I bought the album though on the strength of the 3 songs I had heard and it's really rather good. It takes a few listens for most of it to stick but I like it. It treads a line of being too easy listening and a bit icky but it doesn't often fall over it. For me it's a really early to mid 70's album meaning McCartney, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Bay City Rollers, Pilot, maybe Bread?

A nice Summer record and as you say a nice change from the non stop new wave tributes.

― mms (mms), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah. Back in February for about 10 dates.

I kinda feel sorry for Hal though. Last year, they were the band that people were going on about as the opposite of all that Strokes/Libertines stuff, then The Magic Numbers came along. So although Hal did get pretty decent reviews for their album, all the attention is still on what TMN might do.

Having said that, I prefer The Magic Numbers

xpost

― jellybean (jellybean), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Both the Thrills and Hal are from Ireland. Shameful but true.

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:31 (twenty-one years ago)

The other thing. I guess Heavenly/EMI marketing budget is much bigger than the Rough Trade one.

― jellybean (jellybean), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:35 (twenty-one years ago)

i found magic numbers really underwhelming, especially after all of the hype. it's kind of nice, but toothless and forgettable.

― lauren (laurenp), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I think if anything'll put me off these bands it won't be the music itself.

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:43 (twenty-one years ago)

the beards?

― lauren (laurenp), Thursday, 26 May 2005 12:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Magic Numbers sold out the Forum on the back of one (count 'em) limited seven inch single and some well chosen support slots, and even the best marketing department in the world can't make the punters come along.
I like both bands, but I think the Numbers are better, amazingly skilful songwriters and arrangers ('Love Me Like You' is the cleverest simple song of the year), great musicians and singers and very clearly not on skag.
I'm going to play the album again right now, in fact, and sit in my garden and listen. Cheers.

― snotty moore, Thursday, 26 May 2005 13:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Hal=The Thrills

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 26 May 2005 13:17 (twenty-one years ago)

No. I hate the Thrills. I don't know why but their music is just far too tepid and run of the mill. Hal really do sound like they have a passion for what they're doing whereas the Thrills just write pastoral dirges about places they'd like to be.

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 26 May 2005 15:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Would The Boy Least Likely To count here? They're really good, which might take away from the tone of this thread perhaps.

Also, I did like the last Thrills single. Didn't think they had it in them.

― BARMS, Thursday, 26 May 2005 16:25 (twenty-one years ago)

not too keen on magic numbers or hal - a bit too retro for me. Just prefer the beach boys really.

but i think the earlies are great. More interesting instruments (oboe etc.) better drumming and nice electronica touches which add to the song rather than sounding forced. I like them.

― Mr Monket (apn99), Thursday, 26 May 2005 16:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Technically, The Earlies have a lot more potnetial than any of these bands. The first time I heard their album I was blown away by the sheer sonic enginuity of their tunes. Repeated listenings didn't quite stand up to the test as in many ways they could easily be lumped into the (gah!) Folktronica scene (something I'm sure they'd shy away from). Plus, well the songs aren't quite there. The content fits perfectly to my palate - Beach Boys versus Boards of Canada - what's not to like? I think their next release should be awesome though.

― dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 26 May 2005 16:40 (twenty-one years ago)

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