&sq=&lang=&file=File:Question_book-new.svg){kind=small} | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2010) |
| Animal Magic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 April 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1985–1986 | |||
| Genre | Sophisti-pop[1] | |||
| Length | 44:03 48:15 (cassette version) | |||
| Label | RCA/Ariola | |||
| Producer | Peter Wilson Dr. Robert Adam Moseley | |||
| The Blow Monkeys chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [2] |
| The Montreal Gazette | favourable[3] |
| Schenectady Gazette | favourable[4] |
Animal Magic is the second album from the British band The Blow Monkeys, released in 1986 by RCA/Ariola (now BMG). It gave the group their commercial breakthrough after their debut album, Limping for a Generation, had won critical acclaim but had only sold modestly.[5]
Sales of Animal Magic were boosted by the hit single "Digging Your Scene", which charted in the UK (peaking at No. 12), the rest of Europe and the US.[6] The album's first single, the ballad "Forbidden Fruit", had been released almost a year before the LP. After "Digging Your Scene", two more singles were taken from the album, both of which, though catchy and cleverly built, didn't replicate the same level of commercial success: "Wicked Ways" reached No.60 in Great Britain, and "Don't Be Scared of Me" charted at No.77 in UK.
Animal Magic displayed an intelligent collection of slick, soul-influenced, mid-tempo tunes. A couple of ballads offered some diversity: one of them, "I Backed a Winner (in You)", is a heartfelt track, mostly a cappella, with lead singer Dr. Robert, softly playing acoustic guitar while giving the lyrics its perceptive rhythm, where his vocals, and especially those of an aptly named ensemble, The Demon Barbers, acting as a sort of doo wop choir. Amongst the album's many gems is also a duet with Jamaican toaster Eek-A-Mouse on the duet "Sweet Murder".
In 2012, Cherry Red announced the release of a 2-CD deluxe edition with a whole bonus disc of previously unissued demos and B-sides.[7]
- ^ "Top 15 Sophisti-Pop Albums". Classic Pop. 25 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Cooper, William. "Animal Magic – The Blow Monkeys". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ Griffin, John (24 April 1986). "Record Roundup". The Gazette. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
smart, compelling, entirely disposable dance/pop
- ^ Wolff, Carlo (5 August 1986). "Blow Monkeys Breeze into SPAC Sunday". Schenectady Gazette. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ Adzgery, Sandy (7 August 1986). "Blow Monkeys Hoping for Another Big Success". Associated Press. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ Mason, Stewart. "Digging Your Scene". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Theblowmonkeys.com – accessed September 2012