There are times when Romeo Stoddard can’t help himself from smiling. The smile of someone who writes songs people love. With every roar of approval Stoddard et al can barely suppress their collective glee at producing such great music. The Magic Numbers have succeeded in creating a buzz amongst knowing music fans. Everyone seems to know all the tunes on offer without having heard an album. Visually, they’ve been compared to an overweight death metal band. Musically, they’ve been held up against the songwriting of Dylan, the harmonies of the Mamas and Papas with the quirkiness of Beck. Whatever, the reality is an interesting cocktail. Opener The Mule sets the standard for the craftsmanship on offer. Packed with hooks, Stoddard knows how to mix up a song, take away its pulse, bring it back again and only then deliver the chorus that you loved the first time. It’s a winning formula that’s seen again in songs like I See You, You See Me and Love Me Like You that displays the much praised harmonies of Michelle and Angela. The songs never labour one idea and hence the music doesn’t require a prior knowledge. The quality is so obvious, the immediacy so tangible. Stoddard is no slouch on guitar either. No bar chord wonder, he knows how to place a jazz chord and when to ease of and just send a couple of notes through his vintage Gibson amp and sibling Michelle refuses to plonk away at the root. The Numbers were stomped back on for a surprisingly short encore. Stoddard politely asks if he can finish with a quiet one before the Numbers deliver the delicately poignant version of Wheels on Fire. It’s a great time to see the Numbers live. They are still relatively unknown, completely unjaded by touring, clearly loving what they do. Go see them before fame gets to them and they all go on a diet. | 
