Review / 200 Words Or Less
Shout Magic
Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions

Chief City (2007) Michael

Shout Magic – Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions cover artwork
Shout Magic – Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions — Chief City, 2007

Shout Magic is a five-piece ensemble from Philadelphia. Though, if you were listen to the music of Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions you definitely wouldn't guess that as their location. Perhaps a swanky lounge in Los Angeles or even some off-strip locale in Las Vegas would be more likely.

Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions is six tracks that clocks in at just about twenty minutes. Over the course of this EP, Shout Magic let loose an upbeat mixture of jazz, lounge, and pop music, complete with horns, winds, and maracas! "Golden Empress" reminds me of a Wayne Newton or Frank Sinatra tune. "Accolades" has a kind of retro pop-rock feel to it, even a dash of quaint folk. "Ceiling Fan' and "Suzie" kind of drag and have me reaching for the skip button. "Reagan Dime" closes things out and it sounds like a song from a Tarantino film.

Overall, this is a decent EP. I could do without the slower numbers, as they tend to drive things into the ground. It'd be cool to see these guys in a live setting.

6.0 / 10Michael • February 14, 2008

Shout Magic – Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions cover artwork
Shout Magic – Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions — Chief City, 2007

Recently-posted album reviews

Drakulas

Midnight City
Dirtnap, Wild Honey Records (2026)

I’m assuming Midnight City is the “fictionalized New York-esque metropolis” where the band/gang members of Drakulas survive(d in the mid to late 70's;). It’s also the third album by this Austin TX based, concept driven supergroup. Not really sure if I’m supposed to out these dudes but their secret identities include members of Riberboat Gamblers, Rise Against, High Tension Wires … Read more

Lethal Limits

Elevate EP
GhettoBlaster Productions (2025)

As far as I can gather Jeff Corso has been playing in bands in the Bay Area for the past 20 years but seems like exclusively hardcore until now. Full disclosure: I’m only reviewing this because Aesop from Hickey plays drums. That said, I generally only review stuff I like, so go figure. This doesn’t sound like Hickey but since … Read more

Dealbreaker

New Sides
Late Again Records, Toll Free Records (2026)

Dealbreaker popped onto my radar as part of a package tour with Pro Wrestling, who cold called me with a Penske File namedrop. This story is a bit of a Canadian roundabout, but their methodology worked: I listened to their music and dug it enough to review it. And I'm mentioning it because, at times, Dealbreaker reminds me of The … Read more