Album Review: Smash Mouth - Magic

There's a rule – you're either really proud of, or horrifically embarrassed by your first record. This reviewer's was Smash Mouth's Astrolounge, and contrary to what you might expect, the subscription is to the former. Thus, when a new release appeared from the band, previously feared to have perished with the Shrek franchise, the chance to review it was snapped up.

Magic is a Smash Mouth affair from cover insert to the graphic underneath the disc, and while we're on the topic of graphics, whoever's job it's been to put the band's artwork together over the years needs to realise it's not the '90s anymore and staged band photos and cheesy word art are no longer a winning combo.

In terms of music, Magic is a rather disappointing affair for a long-time fan; dooming one to utter the dreaded words “Yeah, I like their old stuff”. Gone are the occasional edgy forays into reggae and shoegaze, remaining are the cheesy, upbeat riffs, Steve Harwell's growly vocals and the obligatory cover of someone else's hit. Magic brings us a rather redundant version of Simple Minds' Don't You (Forget About Me) which sounds like it's been run through a Bon Jovi simulator. It's kinda like when Five did a cover of Queen's We Will Rock You, but (at least) not quite as bad.

Adding to the lacklustre nature of Magic is the presence of a nasally rapper named J Dash who lends his unworthy hand to a couple of songs, and an overall feel of middle-aged men trying to sound relevant. The track titles should give you an idea – Flippin' Out (Ft J Dash), Justin Bieber and Future X Wife. To the impending Australian tour, I say: “I'll go if J Dash isn't there.”