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Filter U.S. Recordings
Magnet: The Tourniquet
- Rock
- 2006
- Buy the CD
Reviewed by Mike Farley
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M
agnet is not a band in the true sense. Rather it’s the stage name of one Even
Johansen, a Norwegian singer/songwriter with a gift for melody and keen sense of
dreamy, lo-fi delivery. Magnet racked up critical acclaim for his first
U.S.-distributed 2003 release, On Your Side. Now he is back with The
Tourniquet, his first major label release, on Filter U.S. Recordings. A dude with
a soothing yet soulful voice, Magnet is an accomplished musician who plays
guitar, bass, keys, and is an electronic wiz as well. Comparisons have been
drawn to such artists as Elliott Smith, Beck and Coldplay, and melodically he
may be even more accessible than those acts.
If anyone can combine electronica with banjo riffs, it’s Magnet, and he somehow
does this while placing a soaring chorus on the opening track, “Hold On.”
“Duracellia” is more of an acoustic-driven piece about staying strong whether
love stays or goes.
“The Pacemaker” is the unofficial title track and has simple yet meaningful
lyrics: “Take my hand, I will follow/Only you can slow this down/Take my
hand, and I will mellow/’Cos only you can hold me like a tourniquet/ and make me
stay, here with you.”
“Believe” is a powerful track and the catchiest song on here - emotive, dark and uplifting all at the same time. “Fall at Your Feet” is Beatlesque in its melodic flair but also in the way Magnet uses layered harmonies and criss-crossing vocal lines. Other standouts are “Miss Her So” and “Jaws,” though there really isn’t a bad song on The Tourniquet.
With a velvety voice, Magnet already has that compelling aspect that many singer/songwriters lack. But when combined with his instrumental and electronic prowess, as well as being born with the ability to write great songs, you’ve got a total package that has probably not reached its full potential yet. The Tourniquet is dreamy, well produced, and performed with precision - and will make a fine addition to anyone’s CD collection that digs this kind of stuff.
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