I first came across The Magic Numbers in an issue of either GQ or Esquire Magazine a couple of years ago. The article included a nice illustration of them by artist
Zohar Lazar, which is what really drew me to the article. I wish I could find the article, but I can't find it; I may have thrown it out :(
The Magic Numbers are comprised of two pairs of brother/sister siblings; Romeo and Michele Stodart & Sean and Angela Gannon. They released their self-titled debut album in 2005 that was critically acclaimed. That same year, they contributed "Gone Are the Days" to a compilation album to help War Child International called War Child: Help! A Day in the Life. For the project, War Child invited artists to contribute a brand new, unique track and the songs were all recorded in 24 hours. Other artists part of the project include Coldplay, Radiohead, Bloc Party, Gorillaz, etc. "Funds raised by the charity's deal with Independiente Records will immediately go to their projects in Iraq and DR Congo. Further funds, profile and membership raised will go to maintain these projects and others in countries such as Afghanistan and Bosnia".
2006 brought their sophmore album
Those the Brokes, but it didn't get released in the US until a year later. The album was well received though some reviews thought the songs were too long. In 2007, they
released a limited edition 2-disc live album that was recorded by
Concert Live at the Kentish Town Forum in London. I've only seen The Magic Numbers in concert once at Webster Hall (with The Elected opening) and they were absolutely outstanding live. I've posted "The Beard", a song they tend to close with during live shows and will probably remain a live-exclusive. According to Romeo when asked about it on their message
board he said, "I don't think there'll ever be a studio version of 'The Beard' as it would seem strange without an audience". So enjoy a live recording or catch it at one of their live shows.
Most recently, they released a six-track EP consisting of their single "Undecided", an alternate version of "Let Somebody In" and four unreleased recordings.
Their vocals have also been part of songs by The Concretes ("Your Call"), The Chemical Brothers ("Close Your Eyes"), Ed Hardcourt ("Revolution in the Heart"), and a couple of others
(List on Wiki).
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