Call me an elitist, but part of what I love about Magic Man is that they’re a band very few people know. I realize that in writing a recommendation for them, this is a breach in the system, but they’re so good that it’s worth sharing the wealth. Magic Man is a band comprised of two amazing individuals who, in the true modern form, produce somewhat unclassifiable music — a mix of indie, lo-fi, pop and electronica, according to the duo, Sam Lee and Alex Caplow.
Their music is a paradox: simultaneously easy to listen to and deeply complex. The layers in the band’s songs are immense, so that every play elicits a completely different response and exposes new sounds that I swear weren’t there the last time I listened. At the same time, however, I can easily turn them on and let the music wash over me; it’s neither distracting nor overwhelming, and their album, “Real Life Color,” has at least one track fit for any mood you might be in. I can firmly say that I can’t recommend Magic Man to fans of other specific bands because Magic Man, in all their brilliance, sounds like no other music I’ve ever heard. I first heard of the group because I went to high school with its members in Newton, Mass., and I do take some pride in that, even though, as a non-member, I rightfully shouldn’t. It’s been a pleasure watching such skill escalate beyond talent shows and into national tours and the release of a full album. The only thing Magic Man could do to improve would be to make a second album already; they’re too good to stop at one. “Real Life Color” can be downloaded for free at magicman.bandcamp.com.
Sklar is a member of the class of 2014.