I’m listening to this right now, and I forgot just how good it was. I think all their subsequent releases pale in comparison. Just simple pop confectionary. When I was 16, I started picking up this cool-looking, new electronic magazine (though they did have the fatal flaw of having Madonna on their first cover) at the grocery store, the now defunct Revolution. Every issue came with a really good sampler CD, usually with tracks all from one indie label. One issue had an Emperor Norton sampler, and I heard “Playgirl.” Fell in love, and the rest is history. I would take my discman to school everyday, and listen to it during my History class. The best track, in my opinion, is “Skool’s Out.”
Light and Magic seemed like it was trying too hard to be something it was not.. too detached, too cold, too minimalist. It has its moments, but eh. The Witching Hour, the same critique applies, but it just bores me to tears. I can’t even get through it.