Magic Christian

The London Sunday Times: The top 100 albums of 2009



Magic Christian: Evolver (Dirty Water)



The Cuban-heeled rhythm and blues of Cyril Jordan’s new band equalled much of the back catalogue of his Flamin’ Groovies.



Cyril Jordan’s 1960s San Francisco band the Flamin’ Groovies proselytised for mop-top proto-punk well into the 1980s. Here, he’s backed by musicians including the Plimsouls’ bassist, Eddie Munoz, and Blondie’s Clem Burke, on drums, for 14 dragster-paced rhythm-and-blues numbers. A muscular cover of the Beatles’ Any Time at All sits comfortably among Jordan’s own songs, from the jet-stream fade of Tomorrow Never Comes to the feral garage-punk pastiche of The Real Thing. Evolver has the same yearning harmonies and adrenaline rush that characterised the Groovies’ finest albums, but the strike rate here is higher, if anything, than in much of Jordan’s supposed prime.



Aside from buying new clothes and digging themselves in the mirror, Magic Christian will also be writing new material, rehearsing, doing gigs and recording their next album!

Upcoming Show:



Magic Christian InStore at Cheapo Records SXSW 3-14-08



Magic Christian Live at Union Hall, Brooklyn NY 9-12-08