Search - Magneta Lane :: Constant Lover (Jewl)

Say what?

relaxing22 | usa | 12/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Quick: Listen to Devo's "Girl U Want" in your head. Go ahead, it's a great song; you deserve a nice break. Her aroma of undefined love, your mouth watering... can you picture her yet? Time to pop in Magneta Lane's The Constant Lover; their sound brings to mind that exact muse, and seeks to worship her just the same. One part Chrissie Hynde, one part Debbie Harry, the retro feel and dominating vocal style of Magneta Lane is undeniably attractive. While you may wince at the possibility of yet another Karen O. wannabe on the scene, rest assured that Lexi, Nadia and French trade in any coquettishness for brazen, tough-as-nails power.Describing themselves as "a potent antidote to the faux punk posturing of today's manufactured young rock bands," they certainly hit the nail on the head. It's nice to hear a trio of girls rocking out without compromise. Their decisive stance - knowing that they take exactly what they want, without any backtalk - brings a whole other level of energy to their substantial, Runaways-inspired beat. The titular single, "The Constant Lover," is unexpectedly perfect. It labels them immediately as intelligent upstarts, filled of edgy, contagious femme rock. It shows a punk heart and a pop soul, lip gloss and bruises - one of the EP's best qualities is that it's black and blue and pink all over.Following up with the throaty, artistic "Kissing is Easy," we feel that they're insulted by boredom and inspired by sex. One could imagine Blondie dripping such sweaty, sparkling little beads from her skin, and this is to the band's great credit.Meanwhile, on "Medusa," they show that their tunes are not always easy to swallow - their willingness and ability to put up a challenge in the form of pointed pacing, raw vocals and masculine swagger gives them further depth and appeal. While it would have been easy to pattern themselves exactly to their current or former female peers, they nobly twist expectations. It's enough to make you really listen, which is a fact that should speak well for itself.Each track proves itself, and the band's ability, time and again. "Their Party Days" reminds us that Belinda Carlisle used to be Dottie Danger back in the good old days; "Mare of the Night" rocks without pretense, digging nails into broken flesh, all the while blowing kisses with dark and buzzing discontent; "Ugly Socialite" emits a lazy promiscuity a thousand times smarter than its prey. Before you realize you've been taken, you get wrapped around Magneta Lane's little finger and have fallen victim to six perfectly manipulative, gratifying feminine wiles. After all, there is rarely a more potent aphrodisiac than power."

Ahhhhhh, like, holy S**T!

capital-t | 12/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Forget those trite Lolita comparisons, this Toronto trio is more than just a bunch of underage femme fatales. The three young women of Magneta Lane (the entire band is under the age of 20) play smart, sultry pop music that is as infectious as it is venomous. The is no play-acting, as singer-guitarist Lexi Valentine's world weary vocals become a soundboard for the dissatisfied youth. Accompanied by French (bass) and Nadia King (drums), the band clicks and hisses through the six songs of The Constant Lover with maturity and sophisticated glamour. Seducing the ghosts of The Kinks and The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, while having a moody pop sensibility not unlike fellow Torontonians Tangiers. Magneta Lane is like a well-worn motorcycle jacket - classic, soft -to-the-touch, but undeniably tough."