Champagne and Magazines (CD)
Charming, a four-piece from the east coast, made their debut in 1997 with the album "Giant" on Twee Kitten. The new album, "Champagne and Magazines," takes indiepop to another level, combining 60's bossa nova, 70's disco, 80's pop, and 90's dance and making it all sound like it was meant to be! Nicole's vocals are distinct, strong, and absolutely gorgeous. This album is full of pleasant surprises, including horn sections, piano, vocal effects, and some serious SOUL!
Charming shows off their ability to move-n-groove in "Let Me Take You Out" and "Downtown," two extremely fun and danceable disco-esque tunes. The more reflective "Where Have I Been" features lots of beautiful delay guitars and echo-y vocals. "Guilty by Association" adds distortion guitar and boy voices to the mix. The album ends with the drum-machine-driven "Champagne and Magazines," which could hold its own against any St. Etienne song. Charming is able to pull off so many different sounds while still staying within the pop realm-- this is an album that is very easy to love! for fans of: The Cardigans, Club 8, Nancy Sinatra, Velocity Girl, Ivy, and 70's disco.
![]()