Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

: around for (what seems like) ages, appreciated far less than he should be, at least where the masses are concerned. That seems, at least, to be the general consensus amongst well versed music fans. It’s no great surprise to discover ‘The Magic Position’ is set to be the one that wakes the alternative masses up to his brilliance, then.

Yes, the rumours are true; Wolf has gone all happy clappy on us - a title track that’s more theatrical and uplifting than your average Christmas panto tells us that much, but who says that’s a bad thing? What we’re left with is something more than bewitching enough to live up to its title. When an electro-folk troubadour decides to go pop on us, it’s most certainly positive.

It’s a running theme. ‘Get Lost’ has just as much fairy dust, stomping its way to a chorus so catchy it should probably start booking its own agent round about now, while opener ‘Overture’ is a building, instrument heavy tour de force on a sugar rush.

‘Accident & Emergency’, on the other hand, could be more of an acquired taste. Beeping and fuzzing it’s way into a bass heavy fusion of God knows how many genres, it’s more the abrasive tones of Ed Larrikin that could have some unsure. Either way round, if Casualty had a theme tune like this, it would certainly be a better world.

There’s introspective moments too. ‘Magpie’, complete with guest vocalist Marianne Faithfull no less, is nothing short of goosebump inducing, as is ‘Enchanted’; an oddly compelling two minutes towards the end.

It’s fair to say that, as much as some wallow in their own misery, there’s going to be a vocal minority who preferred things as they were. Miserable sods. A happy Patrick Wolf is a joy to behold. Hurrah!