The Magician's Private Library
Encyclopedia
The Magician's Private Library is the second studio album
by America
n singer-songwriter
Holly Miranda
, released 23 February 2010 in the United States by XL Recordings
. It was produced by TV on the Radio
’s Dave Sitek and Celebration
’s Katrina Ford.
’s anti-folk
scene with the Jealous Girlfriends
in support of their 2007 album The Jealous Girlfriends
, Holly Miranda decided to release a solo album with help from her producer friend TV on the Radio
’s Dave Sitek. The Magician's Private Library was recorded in 2008. Miranda’s publisher Chrysalis Music
financed the album, but it wasn't formally released until 2010 after Miranda was signed to XL Recordings
. Miranda explained that the title came from her uncle’s description of what he thought The Dark Side of the Moon
sounded like.
"Sleep on Fire" was inspired by Miranda's friend who was asleep in his bed when the apartment downstairs caught on fire. After the friend was rescued and the fire was put out, they found that the only part of the friend's apartment that had burned was the floor beneath his bed.
and dream pop
icons the Cocteau Twins
and Mazzy Star
.
Lyrically, the songs on The Magician's Private Library address sleep and dreaming. Miranda explained in an interview with About.com
that,
. Andrew Leahey of Allmusic said, "The results are alternately ghostly, sexy, and nocturnal, but they’re always moving." Likewise, Mark Perlaki of Gigwise.com
described the album as "lush, ethereal, and brassy-toned." By contrast, Drowned in Sound
's David Renshaw said, "Holly Miranda makes nice music, sometimes really pretty, but it doesn’t say anything real or move emotions to anywhere even nearing an extreme."
Many reviews focussed on Dave Sitek
's role in producing the album. Ben Schumer, writing for PopMatters
, said ,"he seems to have carried over that 'cough medicine/Tinkerbell' vibe from his time working with Scarlett Johansson
," but added that Miranda "is overwhelmed by her collborators." Schumer also noted that the album sounded too much like a TV on the Radio
album. Conversely, Drowned in Sound
's David Renshaw commented that "Sitek’s production is impressive throughout and shows a less seen side to his technique."
Verbicide Magazine
placed the album at #33 on the Top 50 Albums of 2010.
Sleep on Fire on June 9, 2009. Only 1,000 copies were pressed. Miranda also released an EP titled Choose to See, which included her cover of Yoko Ono
's "Nobody Sees Me Like You Do" as well as covers of David Byrne
("Glass, Concrete & Stone
"), When in Rome
("The Promise"), the Swans
("God Damn the Sun
"), and Lauryn Hill
("Ex-Factor
") that was included with the purchase of the The Magician's Private Library at Rough Trade
shops.
Holly Miranda toured as the opening act on Tegan and Sara
's US tour. Miranda also toured as a supporting act on the Xx Tour by the xx
, the Lungs Tour
by Florence and the Machine
, and as part of the 2010 Latitude Festival and Super Bock Super Rock festival.
"No One Just Is" was featured in the CW
television series Gossip Girl
(episode title: Dr. Estrangeloved).
Source:
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
n singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Holly Miranda
Holly Miranda
Holly Miranda is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Besides being trained in piano, Holly is a self-taught guitar and trumpet player. In 2001, she recorded "High Above The City", a 20-track solo album available only at shows. In the fall of 2003, Holly met and teamed up with Alex Lipsen,...
, released 23 February 2010 in the United States by XL Recordings
XL Recordings
XL Recordings is a British independent record label owned by Richard Russell. It originated as a 1989 offshoot of Beggars Banquet Records.Though only releasing an average of six albums a year, XL Recordings has worked with The Prodigy, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Dizzee Rascal, M.I.A., Vampire...
. It was produced by TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
’s Dave Sitek and Celebration
Celebration (band)
Celebration is a psychedelic soul band based out of Baltimore, Maryland.-History:Celebration is composed of singer Katrina Ford, multi-instrumentalist Sean Antanaitis and drummer David Bergander, with a number of additional rotating members: Walker Teret plays bass, sometimes guitar, percussion and...
’s Katrina Ford.
Writing and development
While performing in New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
’s anti-folk
Anti-folk
Anti-folk is a music genre that takes the earnestness of politically charged 1960s folk music and subverts it. The defining characteristics of this anti-folk are difficult to identify, as they vary from one artist to the next...
scene with the Jealous Girlfriends
The Jealous Girlfriends
The Jealous Girlfriends is a rock band based in Brooklyn, New York. Their music video for "How Now", directed by Sarah Soquel Morhaim, won first place for the iPod Music Video Contest.-Biography:...
in support of their 2007 album The Jealous Girlfriends
The Jealous Girlfriends (album)
-References:...
, Holly Miranda decided to release a solo album with help from her producer friend TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
’s Dave Sitek. The Magician's Private Library was recorded in 2008. Miranda’s publisher Chrysalis Music
Chrysalis Music
Chrysalis Music is a British independent music publisher.The company's roots started in west London in 1967 when Chris Wright and Terry Ellis formed the Ellis-Wright Agency. It was formed to manage and book the bands Ten Years After, and Clouds. Ten Years After was managed by Wright, while Clouds...
financed the album, but it wasn't formally released until 2010 after Miranda was signed to XL Recordings
XL Recordings
XL Recordings is a British independent record label owned by Richard Russell. It originated as a 1989 offshoot of Beggars Banquet Records.Though only releasing an average of six albums a year, XL Recordings has worked with The Prodigy, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Dizzee Rascal, M.I.A., Vampire...
. Miranda explained that the title came from her uncle’s description of what he thought The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released in March 1973. It built on ideas explored in the band's earlier recordings and live shows, but lacks the extended instrumental excursions that characterised their work following the departure...
sounded like.
"Sleep on Fire" was inspired by Miranda's friend who was asleep in his bed when the apartment downstairs caught on fire. After the friend was rescued and the fire was put out, they found that the only part of the friend's apartment that had burned was the floor beneath his bed.
Composition
Musically, the album drew influences from Nina SimoneNina Simone
Eunice Kathleen Waymon , better known by her stage name Nina Simone , was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music...
and dream pop
Dream pop
Dream pop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s, when bands like The Passions, Dif Juz, Lowlife and A.R. Kane began fusing post-punk and ethereal experiments with bittersweet pop melodies into dreamy, sensual soundscapes. The term was almost...
icons the Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
and Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from the group Opal, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith...
.
Lyrically, the songs on The Magician's Private Library address sleep and dreaming. Miranda explained in an interview with About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
that,
"A lot of times when I’m writing songs, I’m writing them to myself, trying to help me get through something, or work something out, understand something. Hopefully that sense is something I can share with people. A lot of these songs are about dreams, and the contrast between dreaming and reality; exploring the divide between the two, and becoming aware that living in dreams can be dangerous, and that the present moment is all we have."
Critical reception
The Magician's Private Library received generally favorable reviews. The album holds a score of 68 out of 100 on the review aggregator website MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
. Andrew Leahey of Allmusic said, "The results are alternately ghostly, sexy, and nocturnal, but they’re always moving." Likewise, Mark Perlaki of Gigwise.com
Gigwise.com
Gigwise.com is an online music magazine that features music news, photos, album reviews, music festivals, concert tickets, and a community forum. Founded in 2001, the magazine is based in the United Kingdom....
described the album as "lush, ethereal, and brassy-toned." By contrast, Drowned in Sound
Drowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
's David Renshaw said, "Holly Miranda makes nice music, sometimes really pretty, but it doesn’t say anything real or move emotions to anywhere even nearing an extreme."
Many reviews focussed on Dave Sitek
David Andrew Sitek
David Andrew Sitek is a guitarist and record producer based in New York City, best known as a member of the band TV on the Radio. He has also worked with bands such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liars, Foals, Celebration, and most recently Jane's Addiction, and produced free jazz-influenced remixes of songs...
's role in producing the album. Ben Schumer, writing for PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
, said ,"he seems to have carried over that 'cough medicine/Tinkerbell' vibe from his time working with Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World...
," but added that Miranda "is overwhelmed by her collborators." Schumer also noted that the album sounded too much like a TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
album. Conversely, Drowned in Sound
Drowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
's David Renshaw commented that "Sitek’s production is impressive throughout and shows a less seen side to his technique."
Verbicide Magazine
Verbicide Magazine
Verbicide is an independent entertainment website based jointly out of Las Vegas, Nevada and Brooklyn, New York. It is co-published via Scissor Press by founding editor Jackson Ellis and creative director Nathaniel Pollard....
placed the album at #33 on the Top 50 Albums of 2010.
Singles
- "Forest Green, Oh Forest GreenForest Green, Oh Forest GreenForest Green, Oh Forest Green is the first single by American singer-songwriter Holly Miranda from her album The Magician's Private Library, released 9 Novemnber 2009 in the UK and 17 November 2009 in the United States by XL Recordings....
" was released as the album's lead single on November 9, 2009, in the UK and November 17 in the United States. Miranda recorded a cover of Yoko OnoYoko Onois a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
's "Nobody Sees Me Like You DoSeason of GlassSeason of Glass is a 1981 album by Yoko Ono, her first solo recording after the murder of her husband John Lennon. The album was released less than six months after Lennon's death and deals with it directly in songs such as "Goodbye Sadness" and "I Don't Know Why".The front cover features Lennon's...
" as a B-side for the single.
- "Waves" was released as the album's second single on April 26, 2010, and received positive reviews for its production and vocals. On March 24, 2010, the New York PostNew York PostThe New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
offered a free download of the single on its website.
Promotion
To promote The Magician's Private Library, Holly Miranda released the limited edition EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Sleep on Fire on June 9, 2009. Only 1,000 copies were pressed. Miranda also released an EP titled Choose to See, which included her cover of Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
's "Nobody Sees Me Like You Do" as well as covers of David Byrne
David Byrne
David Byrne may refer to:*David Byrne , musician and former Talking Heads frontman**David Byrne , his eponymous album*David Byrne , Irish footballer*David Byrne , English footballer...
("Glass, Concrete & Stone
Grown Backwards
Grown Backwards is an album by David Byrne, released March 16, 2004.-Track listing:All tracks written by David Byrne, except where noted.#"Glass, Concrete & Stone" – 4:13...
"), When in Rome
When in Rome (band)
When in Rome are an English New Wave trio, originally consisting of vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, and keyboards player Michael Floreale. They are best known for their 1988 single, "The Promise".-History:...
("The Promise"), the Swans
Swans (band)
Swans are an influential American post-punk band initially active from 1982 to 1997, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. The band was one of the few groups to emerge from the early 1980s New York No Wave scene and stay intact into the next decade. Formed by Gira in...
("God Damn the Sun
The Burning World (album)
The Burning World is an album by the American rock band Swans. It was released in 1989 on Uni Records, and it was its only major label release and only album featuring production by Bill Laswell....
"), and Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
("Ex-Factor
Ex-Factor
"Ex-Factor" is the third single from American recording artist Lauryn Hill from her debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill . It features a sample of "Can It Be All So Simple", a song by Wu-Tang Clan...
") that was included with the purchase of the The Magician's Private Library at Rough Trade
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
shops.
Holly Miranda toured as the opening act on Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin . Both Tegan and Sara play guitar and keyboard and write songs.-History:...
's US tour. Miranda also toured as a supporting act on the Xx Tour by the xx
The xx
The xx are an English indie pop band, formed in London in 2005. The band's members met while studying at Elliott School, the same school that produced Hot Chip, Burial and Four Tet. They became a trio when their second guitarist and keyboardist, Baria Qureshi, departed in late 2009. In September...
, the Lungs Tour
Lungs Tour
-Support acts:* Golden Silvers * The XX * Parallels * Voicst * Frankie & The Heartstrings...
by Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine is the recording name of English musician Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide music for her voice. Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul...
, and as part of the 2010 Latitude Festival and Super Bock Super Rock festival.
"No One Just Is" was featured in the CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
television series Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
(episode title: Dr. Estrangeloved).
Track listing
Personnel
- Eric Biondo - horn
- Stuart D. BogieStuart D. BogieStuart Bogie is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and producer. Originally from Evanston, IL, Bogie has become a staple in the Brooklyn music scene, as part of Antibalas, as well as TV on the Radio, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and many other acts....
- horn - Jaleel BuntonTV on the RadioTV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
- guitar, drums, vocals - Brendan Coon - composer, vocals
- Matt de Jong - design
- Sebastian Mlynarski -photography
- Steve Fallone - mastering
- David Hochbaum - paintings, images
- Kyp MaloneTV on the RadioTV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
- vocals
- Holly MirandaHolly MirandaHolly Miranda is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Besides being trained in piano, Holly is a self-taught guitar and trumpet player. In 2001, she recorded "High Above The City", a 20-track solo album available only at shows. In the fall of 2003, Holly met and teamed up with Alex Lipsen,...
- synthesizer, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, composer, vocals, sleigh bells, toy piano, toy organ - Chris MooreChris Moore (producer/audio engineer)Chris Moore is a record producer, mixer, and recording engineer currently based in Brooklyn, NY. He has produced, recorded and mixed albums by Midnight Juggernauts , TV On The Radio , Scarlett Johansson, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yeasayer, Au Revoir Simone, Foals, Dragons of Zynth, and The...
- engineer, mixing - David Andrew SitekDavid Andrew SitekDavid Andrew Sitek is a guitarist and record producer based in New York City, best known as a member of the band TV on the Radio. He has also worked with bands such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liars, Foals, Celebration, and most recently Jane's Addiction, and produced free jazz-influenced remixes of songs...
- producer, organ, bass guitar, programmin, sampling, mellotron, mixing - Zeph Sowers - mixing
- Sugar Rose - bass, percussion, vocals, producer
- Marques Toliver - strings, violin
Source:
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium Heatseekers (Ultratop Ultratop 40 Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization... Wallonia) |
15 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
40 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | February 19, 2010 | CD, LP, digital download | XL Recordings XL Recordings XL Recordings is a British independent record label owned by Richard Russell. It originated as a 1989 offshoot of Beggars Banquet Records.Though only releasing an average of six albums a year, XL Recordings has worked with The Prodigy, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Dizzee Rascal, M.I.A., Vampire... , V2 Records V2 Records V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI.... |
| United Kingdom | February 22, 2010 | XL Recordings | |
| United States | February 23, 2010 | ||
| Germany | February 26, 2010 | XL Recordings, Beggars Beggars Group Beggars Group is a British record company that owns or distributes several other labels, including 4AD, Rough Trade Records, Matador Records, and XL Recordings... |
|
External links
- Holly Miranda Official Site
- Holly Miranda Myspace
- [ Holly Miranda] at Allmusic
- "Waves" at VimeoVimeoVimeo is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. It was founded by Zach Klein and Jake Lodwick in November 2004...