Orlando

A more diverse, but not necessarily more accomplished, affair than Just for a Second, Magic EP is the definitive Orlando recording, capturing the awkward gap between their pretensions and their achievements. "Don't Kill My Rage" is a boisterous disco number that has a tight arrangement, but is undercut by Tim's chirping, wavering and tuneless falsetto. "Fatal" is a downright bizarre attempt to fuse Euro-disco with G-Funk that actually features Tim's best vocal. "Contained" is a spare, Northern Soul-styled R&B track, highlighted by percolating horns, and "Up Against It" is a grand, theatrical piano ballad much like "Something to Write Home About." Throughout it all, Dickon really tries to say something, usually to no avail. However, his botched imagery and poetry are endearing, and are perfectly suited for Tim's non-voice. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide