Very pop-accessable, and easy listen to, Light & Magic is an excellent synth-pop album. Since I haven't heard all of 604, I will not compare the two. This particular album sounds warm and poppy, without being too repetitive (which is a gripe of people who don't like electronic music). It's all in nice fun with the dated electronic sound. For an example, in "Turn It On?," the track is liberally applied with what sounds like the 808 cowbell. I think that this whole album was made in good fun, and you should not take it too seriously when listening to it. Give this album a try, because there are some gems worth listening to.

This album is not as good as 604. 604 provides it's listener with the type of old rememberable songs, the kind that would send us thinking. The classics "Playgirl" and "Another Breakfast with You". This album is a wonderful peice but it does not surpass their first. Although, this album is very very great! If i might point out some songs i would point out.... “True Mathematics” “Flicking Your Switch” has some bumpin bass. “Turn it On” has some real dance ethixxx. “Startup Chime” has a similar chime as “Blue Jeans” but more pop. And then the last two “Light & Magic” and “The Reason Why” I have to say that the best songs are “The Reason Why” and “Flicking Your Switch.” Those are just my favorites but the whole album is awesome. I actually suggest 604 1% more than this one. But they are both great.

Superb sophomore LP to last year's "604". If the term "robot-pop" -- coined by Kraftwerk -- is still relevant nowadays, this must be it. The warm sound of analogue synths are gone, in favour of icy digital synths. The vocalists help add another dimension to the music: Mira Aroyo sang as if she was spitting zeroes and ones (especially on "Flicking Your Switch": "9 2 3, 8 1 6, is the sound that's flicking your switch; 8 1 5, 1 9 4, does this mean you don't trust me anymore?"), while Helen Marnie keeps it sounds cute and lush, as heard on "Seventeen" and "Blue Jeans". Those two, along with the bouncey "Evil", are totally infectious. All in all, "Light & Magic" is one of the few albums that sounds cool enough for us electronic music junkies, yet accessible enough for new-comers. Definitely among the top 5 albums of this year.

Highlights:
Nuhorizons, Evil, Flicking Your Switch, Seventeen, Blue Jeans, Turn It On, Cease2xist.