Magic City Review by Chickfactor

HELIUM-THE MAGIC CITY

Mary is Joni Mitchell with all the sex and snarl jutting out in uneven awkward places. She leaves bruises and juice all over this record. Using the structure and personae of minstrel and medieval hooks and schoolyard naaan-na-naaas, Mary has all the lily pads she needs to walk across to waiting unicorns, rainbows, witches, space flowers, and girl-fingered power. Ash and Shawn are dreams. I must say I like the Dirt of Luck better, I listened to it more and still play it now. I like less personae, personally, and especially right now in my life. I'm listening to more direct, straight stuff. But I do think this is the bravest record Matador released in 1997. ps- I'm glaring at a visual of Richard (Versus) in my head right now because I'm tired and he waited until the last minute to write this review and then, with one longuuuuuuhhhhhh on his part, I quickly understood that he wasn't going to write a damn thing. He loves, loves this record by the way.

By Connie Chickfactor Number Eleven Fall 97