Magic

I've been a fan of this band since their first album came out when I was in 6th grade. All these years later I have outgrown the band's sound but I still pick up every new album they put out because their first 3 albums meant so much to me growing up.I've got to say, this album really is more of the same. There's not much here we haven't heard in the last two albums. It's another attempt to recapture the preteen market the band controlled so well a decade ago with "I'm a Believer". This album has a similar feel to "Summer Girl" and "Get the Picture?". It's bubblegum pop with keyboards and surf rock influences mostly laced with lyrics about sunny days and crushes on girls.The album is littered with stinkers like "Live to Love Another Day", "Future Ex Wife" and the snooze worthy "Better with Time". The hooks in these songs just don't work and the lyrics are sub-par at best.The song "Magic" feels forced. It's cramped with too many words and an odd rap section from J. Dash. There's just too much going on. The whoa-ohs are oddly placed and the whole song feels cramped.The cover "Don't You (forget about me)" falls flat. The song has been covered numerous times by other artists and Smash Mouth didn't add anything particularly new or different to the track. The bands prior covers like "I'm a Believer" and "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" worked because Smash Mouth added new life, power and energy to the song. "Don't You" lacks the energy and that special "Smash Mouth touch" of their previous covers and Harwell's voice just isn't a good fit for it.However, there are some tracks to like here. The ballad "Out of Love" is easily their best ballad since "Out of Sight" on their 2001 selftitled album. It is the lone example of mature songwriting on the album and the use of a string section in a ballad is something I don't think we've ever seen from Smash Mouth. It feels different than any other smash mouth ballad and Harwell's voice works well here. One of the few high points of the album."Flippin' Out" is simply Smash Mouth kiddy pop at its best. The hook excels where other songs on the album fall flat. It is catchy from the first listen and has a sunny feel that makes you smile. I'd be surprised if this doesn't show up on the soundtrack of a children's movie at some point."She's Into Me" is a wonderful slow jam. The hook works. I love the "...she's got a smile that can stop a war" line in the chorus. Very creative, great lyric. The song has a great chorus and makes you smile. I could actually see this song being on mainstream radio and not just Disney radio.If you're a hardcore Smash Mouth fan, you'll enjoy this album. If not, there are much better pop albums out there. Another complaint I have is with all the remixes on the deluxe version. They're basically the same songs with a small change. They are worthless filler that add nothing to the album. I was excited to see that there were 17 tracks on the album but was quickly dissapointed when I realized that 6 of them were remixes and 1 was a cover.While I feel I judged this album fairly for what is is and not what I want it to be, as a longtime fan I hope Smash Mouth decides to take a chance on their next album and do something different.They almost did several years ago before the release of "Old Habits" was pulled. But the main problem with this album like "Get the Picture?" and "Summer Girl" before it is that it is way too safe. The band seems to be content to rake in a small safe paycheck from a Disney movie to two instead of creating music that could potentially recapture the mainstream appeal in adult pop music they achieved back in their "Astro Lounge" days.If you know anything about the band you'd know they are a rock band at heart and I'd like to see them let loose and write what they want to write instead of writing what they think the preteen market wants to hear. I just want more maturity and genuineness in the music and lyrics. I want to see the band let loose and take a chance. This album as with the last two doesn't feel authentic or real. To put it bluntly, I don't feel like most of the words Harwell is singing are coming from the heart.However, as far past their glory days as this band is I'm also just thankful to be getting any kind of new material. Most bands at this point stop making new albums and just tour constantly making money off their old hits. So for that, I'm thankful. But if you're looking for "magic" on this album you better look elsewhere.

I don't know why I buy Smash Mouth. I've religiously bought every release, but I can't say they're a great band. They haven't changed much, and that's why "Magic" is just more of the same. I would never rate any of their albums very highly. They're just like cotton candy, but each album has a few good bubblegum songs. This time around it's the title track, "Perfect Planet", "Justin Bieber", "Flippin' Out", "The Game" and "(Don't You) Forget About Me". The six remixes sound more produced and slicker than the album versions, which doesn't really add value to the overall package here.In revisiting each and every one of Smash Mouth's earlier albums leading up to this one, I found certain songs, but not entire albums, to enjoy. I can now make my own greatest hits that would surpass the only one on the market today.The funny thing is, they started off terribly with 1997's "Fush Yu Mang", in which they only had a handful of decent tracks padded by tired old ska/punk tracks. It was their 1999 album "Astro Lounge" that stands as their defining work, but at 15 tracks, it was also watered down by unnecessary filler. After that, their next two albums were rather weak, but still better than "Fush Yu Mang". Their 2006 album "Summer Girl" was a return to form of sorts, probably their second best effort. And so here lies "Magic", somewhere next to "Smash Mouth" and "Get The Picture?"You'd think after six years off that the band would reinvent themselves since nobody I know would really care. Yet, they revisit the same well one more time, hoping for that old mojo to collect a wellspring of money. Not to be this time. I doubt anyone will hear "Magic". Maybe next time guys.Here's how "Magic" compares to the band's previous works:1997 Fush Yu Mang: Two Stars1999 Astro Lounge: Three and a Half Stars2001 Smash Mouth: Two and a Half Stars2003 Get The Picture?: Two Stars2006 Summer Girl: Three Stars2012 Magic: Two and a Half Stars