Search - White Magic :: Dat Rosa Mel Apibus

... And Then (Magically) There Was One

Justin S. Lukenbill | 11/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After their celebratory 2004 folk entrancement debut EP 'Through The Sun Door', White Magic has evidently turned out to be a one-woman show headed by keyboardist/singer Mira Billote who ,only a few years ago, co-fronted Quix*O*Tic with her sister. While the original White Magic lineup of drummer Miggy Littleton (who has returned to Blood On The Wall) and guitarist Andy McCleod are out to lunch, it is obvious to hear that Billote was the member who steered the Magic's creative wheel and soaked the group's sound with her unmistakeable Grace Slick-meets-Roma-stoytelling-voice.



Much of the music on 'Dat Rosa Mel Apibus' take from the songs "One Note" and "Gypsies Came Marching After" found on the 'Through The Sun Door'EP. The sound of those two songs nearly sculpt, track-by-track, Billote's latest effort as one complete musical thought. Her voice and keyboard style rivet all of the songs and her new collaborators on drums and guitar are more subdued in their playing.



'Through The Sun Door' is far more diverse, although it leaves the feeling of wanting more. 'Dat Rosa Mel Apibus' is a satisfying follow up but songs like "Plain Gold Ring", "Wolves", and "Apocalypse" from thier debut are uncharted and possibly forgotten territories.



4 stars.



p.s. The album cover is one of the best in history. Seriously. See the vinyl version for it's full effect."

Beautifully designed case...

Mark C. | Seattle, WA United States | 12/24/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"and after hearing her (Mira Bollete)s Dylan cover 'As I went out one Morning' and 'The Light'-I was suitably impressed enough to buy this. 'Morning' is a 5 star performance, but upon listening to DRMA, I was kind of let down-she has a very interesting voice and vocalese, but this is way too minimal and homoginized for me at least-and I wanted to like this record.



Her(?) 2 fingered plonking on the piano, while done well, gets tiring.

Can she play the piano or not?



I kept wanting the music to break out of its rut into something, but it never does.

The arrangements are kind of uninspired.

If SONY has their claws on her-for the Dylan movie OST-or if she stays on DC, maybe she will expand her repertoire-I think she has it in her."