Magnet - On Your Side

[DudeAsInCool]

Even Johansen, the Norwegian folk giant who is Magnet, has a quietly creepy voice. On On Your Side, it echoes alongside his vast variety of Air-like effects, which float effortlessly in the background, swirling around the lyrical outbursts and the eclectic collection of horns, guitars and dry synths that pushes the world of this singer/songwriter into the outer limits.

Johansen’s point: There is no limit. Think about Sondre Lerche playing Air covers with some country guitars thrown in for fun. (I still have no idea what instrument is being played on Last Day Of Summer, but it sounds amazing.) Magnet is not just pushing the boundaries of what solo artists can do, he’s pushing for a revolutionary change in music.

[direct link]

independent.co.uk | July 4, 2003

[DudeAsInCool]

On Your Side invites you on a lush, beautiful, sonic excursion through a land of gentle beats, surging orchestrations, and the soothing voice of Even Johansen, the sole creative force behind Magnet. Meshing electronic pings and beats with more traditional pop instruments (guitars, keyboards, drums), adding a dash of strings as needed, Johansen bestows this album with a beautiful continuity through his soothing, emotive vocals and comforting melodic lines. This is a rainy-day album, a contemplative nighttime album, a lazy Sunday afternoon album. This is a great album.

http://www.music-critic.com/rock/magnet_onyourside.htm