Album Review: Luscious Jackson’s ‘Magic Hour’
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Wow, has it really been more than a decade since we heard from the lovely ladies of Luscious Jackson? Their slick indie rock sonics are pretty timeless and if you give their 1993 In Search of Manny EP a spin, you’ll see what we mean. (“Daughters of the Kaos,” hello?). Their three studio LPs, too, are equally great with their hip-hop tinges layered amongst funk-like tresses and electric synths. Remember Top 40 favorite “Naked Eye” and “Ladyfingers”? Need we say more? Nope.
Lucky for us, Jill Cunniff (bass/vocals), Gabby Glaser (vocals/guitar) and Kate Schellenbach (drums) got the gang back together two years ago to dream it all up again. And Magic Hour, out this week on the band’s own Citysong label, marks the trio’s first batch of new tunes since 1997’s Electric Honey. We promise you that they haven’t missed a beat, as heard in killer cuts like the effortlessly cool riffage of “Show Us What You Got” and the sunny bombast of “Are You Ready?”
Get your groove on with the playful “#1 Bum.” “So Rock On” sees the Beastie Boys’ and Luscious Jackson’s fellow Grand Royal pal Adam Horovitz lend a hand on production for another hypnotic number that’ll keep your hips in motion. The stylish, dark ambiance of “Frequency” highlights the band’s vast musical palate once more—it’s fresh and modern, but their signature style remains. And woo hoo for that!
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Luscious Jackson (L-R): Gabby Glaser, Jill Cunniff and Kate Schellenbach/Photo: Doug Seymour
Indeed Luscious Jackson still has the “magic” and it’s absolutely brilliant to have them back. Want more? The gals will make their fourth appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” on Monday, November 18. Catch their first New York City show in 13 years at Webster Hall on Saturday, December 7.
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