White Magic For Lovers

"Delightfully perverse, all grown-up and spurred on by the massive single 'El President', the awards are going to be appearing for Drugstore's second outing. Held up due to the demise of original label Go! Discs, 'White Magic For Lovers' has lost none of its freshness and vitality. 'Say Hello' opens the album up in banner headline style, leaving no doubt that this is going to be a classic excursion.

First single 'Mondo Caine' increases the anticipation with its distorted vocals and cacophonous guitars, you just know something's up. 'El President' is the proof in the pudding as Thom Yorke goes verse to verse with the unique Isabel Monteiro on a fiery abstract ripsnorter inspired by the CIA backed death of South American socialista Victor Allende. Isabel's range of vocal stylings and unashamed sassyness are amongst the most obvious virtues that lift Drugstore above the standards of their contemporaries.

Ian Burdge's sympathetic cello playing is another worthwhile point of difference and the equation only malfunctions when Daron Robinson unwisely steps up to the mic. There's little point in dwelling on the inadequacies of this record because they are few and trivial, what is exciting is the emergence of a band that could go hook-for-hook with Garbage and still come out boxing. 'White Magic For Lovers' or just melodic magic for listeners either way Drugstore are on the rise, get your prescription soon."
Nick Sussex