Search - Magnet :: Don't Be a Penguin

This D.C.-based combo will no doubt make some hay on the basis of Moe Tucker's name; Magnet is the first band she's played the drums with since VU. While Moe's timely traps are as trustworthy as ever, the band itself has its stuff wired pretty tight. Singer/guitarist Mark Goodman is a straight-faced, sincere (if not blazingly original) jangle-popper who's learned a few lessons from the Feelies ("Banger"), the dB's ("On We Go") and, naturally enough, the Velvet Underground. On the wistful "Everyone" and the jokey-tonk "One Day," Goodman and company suggest the Velvets in a happy-jamming frame of mind, tensions temporarily shelved. The sunshine carries over to "Better Way," which is almost hippie-dippie in its propellant optimism, leading to a touch of guilt for lending the song the good vibes it demands. "Smiles" is a hush-quiet delight that functions like "Candy Says" or "Pale Blue Eyes." Not everything works so swimmingly--the improvisational title track and the instrumental "Let's Order Some Thai Food" go nowhere special, but Moe's guest vocal on "Summer & Winter" is endearingly cracked and creaky. For the most part, Goodman proves an able and agreeable tunesmith, leading me to believe that Magnet has brighter days ahead no matter who's sitting behind the snare. --John Chandler