Top Trenz Magic Fortune Friends are unique and adorable toys that combine the fun of friendship, magic, and predicting the future. These cute little characters are not only great companions but also help kids explore the fascinating world of fortune-telling. Each Magic Fortune Friend comes in a small package and is designed with bright colors and cute facial expressions. They are made from soft, high-quality materials, making them perfect for cuddling and carrying around. What sets Magic Fortune Friends apart is their magical powers. By simply placing your hands on their special crystal ball, they can predict your future.
By simply placing your hands on their special crystal ball, they can predict your future. The crystal ball lights up and reveals a mystical image or word that is believed to be a glimpse into what lies ahead. Kids can have fun with their Magic Fortune Friends by asking questions about different aspects of their lives, such as school, friendships, or family.
Live At The Witch Trials | The Fall
I can’t actually remember now when I first clapped ears on The Fall, but it would have been one of the 1978 sessions they did for John Peel’s indispensable radio show. However, I do remember them suddenly snapping into focus when I noticed that Mark E Smith owned a shit, diamond-patterned V-neck jumper just like mine, and had a similarly utilitarian jelly-mould haircut. More to the point, his singing voice frequently leapt into an adolescent yelp: a smartly-deployed stylistic tic for him, an involuntary penance for the teenage me. Here was a new hero I could mimic without doing a fucking thing.
I might even have put it about that “Mark and I” were sartorially ahead of the curve.
Needless to say, the expanded reissue of the first two Fall albums makes it abundantly clear that there was never a curve broad enough to contain Mark E, nor indeed any pigeonholes sufficiently misshapen for The Fall to fit comfortably into: “No boxes for us”. Though punk was the closest fit in terms of delivery and dissidence, you felt that they treated it in the same way you or I might jump on a horse if it got us to where we were going more effectively.
Released seven months apart in 1979, Live At The Witch Trials and Dragnet reappear here on vinyl (red for the former, black-and-white “splatter” for the latter) and as clamshell 3CD box sets, the format you need if you crave tonnes of extras. Forty years on, the most startling thing about the debut album is how clean Bob Sargeant’s production is. Karl Burns’ drum fills pan across in true stereo, much as you’d expect the drums to do on, say, Rumours… and Frightened sounds like early Roxy Music in a trauma recovery centre until Mark E Smith lopes in, at which point the perspectives shift irrevocably. “I’d run away from toilets and faeces; I’d run away to a non-date on the street.”
It would be wrong to merely cite Smith as the rogue element that has blown in to fuck up your feng shui, because if anything, the broad separation in the mix highlights everyone’s beautiful eccentricities. Martin Bramah’s guitar sounds like hangnails and beaks, Yvonne Pawlett’s patient electric piano parts permanently arch their eyebrows, and the rhythm section of Karl Burns and bassist Marc Riley appears throughout to be cornering hard in an unmoored Waltzer.
Nevertheless, Smith is naturally the eye of the hurricane: a provocative, adversarial presence, setting out his stall in such a way that it blocks the road. “We are The Fall, northern white crap that talks back,” he legendarily scoffs in Crap Rap 2/Like To Blow, demolishing at a stroke any subsequent attempts to summarise his band more succinctly.
Here he is, already dismissing sentimentality (Futures And Pasts: “You can cry for your lost childhood… but remember how you hated it?”), junkie self-absorption (No Xmas For John Quays: “He thinks this is more interesting than the world”) and contemporary culture (Two Steps Back: “Had a look at the free festivals; they’re like cinemas with no films”). Industrial Estate comes across like punk rock with its poles reversed; and the introductory refrain of Underground Medecin [sic]resembles Stepping Stones by Ramases. Honestly.
Extras include the magnificent Bingo-Master’s Breakout, blending insouciance with insight (“All he sees is the back of chairs; in the mirror, a lack of hairs”), and the band’s full August 1978 set from Mr Pickwick’s in Liverpool. Smith sounds almost avuncular, actually thanking the audience between songs, and Martin Bramah’s guitar is in full-on deconstructivist mode by the time they hit Music Scene.
When Dragnet comes along, Bramah, Burns and Pawlett have departed, to be replaced by Craig Scanlon and Steve Hanley. Gone also are the debut album’s production values, to be replaced by an aural smog more befitting Smith’s gleeful obscurantism. Cymbal smashes sneeze out of the gloom, and Smith even has his hood up during A Figure Walks. The distancing is already acute: Before The Moon Falls paces in an obsessive circle (“I must create a new regime, or live by another man’s”), while Printhead and Dice Man establish the music press as fair game for merciless baiting ever after. Above all, Spectre Vs Rector comes at you and at you until you see the face of God in the gaps between the tuning.
Extras include Fiery Jack (hurray!), several takes of the staggering Rowche Rumble in its own elliptical orbit, and full 1979 live sets from Retford and LA, with Smith savouring the incongruity:
“How many bucks will you pay next time?”
Q&A: The Fall guitarist and co-founder Martin Bramah (latterly of Blue Orchids and Factory Star) remembers the feeling of taking on the world with The Fall and working with Mark E Smith
Was there ever any esprit de corps within The Fall, or was the dynamic always combative?
There was a strong feeling of loyalty and mission to the original band. It was us against the world. This was felt very keenly by all of us. It was only when Mark began to wrestle for control of The Fall that this spirit died and he inherited the name for what became his “group.”
How much leeway were band members afforded in collaborative compositions?
It was “band members” that wrote the music. That came from them. The singer wrote the words. Mark developed an important role as editor/director of the music. In this there was little leeway, in the nautical sense.
Do any memories prevent you from hearing the music objectively now?
I hear the music pretty objectively. I have been through periods where I couldn’t stand the sound of Smithy’s berating hubris, but I’m not alone in that! MES was a great talent with a unique voice and I still really enjoy listening to these albums, when I’m in the mood.
And do you feel proud nevertheless when you hear it?
Yes, I feel proud of what we achieved – why would I not? Great records by a great band!
The Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at the time of the Salem witch trials was William Phips. His close relationship with a few ministers and wealthy community members made his entanglement in the trials unavoidable. Still, it seems that Phips mostly washed his hands of the hysteria and distanced himself from those in charge; however, he did not disallow his officials from continuing their inquest.
The crystal ball provides answers in a mysterious and intriguing manner, sparking curiosity and imagination. Not only are Magic Fortune Friends fun to play with, but they also serve as a great tool for self-reflection and personal growth. By engaging with these magical companions, children can learn to explore their feelings, make decisions, and understand the concept of destiny. These toys are not limited to a specific age group but can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They make for a great gift for children, teenagers, and even adults who are interested in the mystical world. Magic Fortune Friends can be a unique addition to any toy collection or served as a conversation starter. In summary, Top Trenz Magic Fortune Friends are lovable toys that combine friendship, magic, and fortune-telling. They provide an entertaining and insightful way for kids and adults to explore the concept of destiny and have fun while doing so. So, why not bring some magic into your life and get your very own Magic Fortune Friend today?.
Reviews for "Why Magic Fortune Friends Have Captivated the Hearts of Collectors Everywhere"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I recently purchased the Top Trenz Magic Fortune Friends for my daughter, but unfortunately, I was disappointed with the product. The fortune-telling feature didn't work properly, and the toy kept giving random answers instead of the actual predictions. Additionally, the overall quality of the toy was not impressive. The fabric was flimsy and didn't feel durable at all. I expected a better product considering its price.
2. Robert - 1/5 stars - I bought the Top Trenz Magic Fortune Friends for my niece, thinking it would be a fun and entertaining toy for her. However, it turned out to be a complete disappointment. The fortune-telling aspect didn't work at all. The answers were unclear and seemed to be random. The toy was also poorly constructed, with loose stitching and low-quality materials. It didn't last long before it started falling apart. I would not recommend this product to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to get the Top Trenz Magic Fortune Friends for my little sister, but it ended up being a letdown. The fortune-telling feature was confusing, and the toy's explanations were vague and difficult to understand. The fabric used for the toy was scratchy and uncomfortable, making it unpleasant to hold. Overall, the product felt cheaply made and didn't match the price tag. It was definitely not worth the money. Disappointing experience.
4. Mark - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the Top Trenz Magic Fortune Friends, but unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations. The fortune-telling mechanism was not accurate at all. The toy often gave contradicting answers, making it impossible to take seriously. Additionally, the design of the toy was not visually appealing, and the fabric used didn't feel soft or pleasant to touch. I was unimpressed with the overall quality of the product and wouldn't recommend it.
5. Jessica - 1/5 stars - I wouldn't recommend the Top Trenz Magic Fortune Friends. The fortune-telling feature didn't work properly, and the toy's predictions were way off. It seemed more like a random generator rather than an accurate fortune-teller. The plush material used on the toy was also very rough and uncomfortable. Overall, it was a disappointment, and I regret purchasing it. Save your money and invest in a better-quality toy.