I recently came across a fascinating product at Costco - a magic set. As someone who has always been intrigued by illusions and tricks, I just had to purchase it. The Costco magic set is perfect for both beginners and more experienced magicians, as it offers a wide range of tricks and props to use. What sets this magic set apart from others is not just the variety of tricks it includes, but also the quality of the props. Often, magic sets sold in toy stores or online can be made of flimsy materials that break easily. However, the Costco magic set is made with durable materials that are built to last.
So. As I listen to the exhilarating likes of 'Stairs' or 'Key' or 'Seoul Music' (great song title) I continue to - entirely involuntarily - see a picture in my mind of a rakishly reclining, designer-suit wearing David Bowie louchely working his way through a bottle of Gordon's London Dry in some minimalist NYC apartment with blinds firmly shuttered so as to keep both himself and his impeccably modernist threads cool and sweat-free from the unwanted climactic intrusions of an unseasonably bright and humid late 1981 afternoon. Oh yes. I can quite clearly see him there now as I listen to Technodelic's Eno-esque instrumental 'Light In Darkness': David elegantly marinating in a gin haze, listening to this LP for the very first time and uttering enthusiastic exclamations to himself: "ohh christ this is. YESS. this is really rather exquisite. mmmmm, it's got a sort of. err. hauntingly stark yet eerily beautiful atmosphere about it. THIS - I feel quite certain about it now - THIS is how I want my next album tooo. uhh. to soound: like some austere techno-futurist dreamscape governed by ruthless morality police. in which. ermm. in which an intoxicating but strictly off-limits dance-partner takes a slow-drag on something illicit to ward off a creeping sense of existential dread, whilst, at the same moment, a sudden burst of rhythmic gunfire rings-out from a few blocks over - as if in. as if in solidarity with the very last remaining specimen of an exceedingly rare orchid species which, half a world away, in an act of quiet rebellion, has taken upon itself to slowly wither and die in an as yet untamed tract of tropical rainforest. opting instead for a. for a dignified sort of. a dignified sort of OBLIVION. YES, that's it! ha-HA!". [Excitedly picks up phone receiver and calls Atlantic Records] . "Yes. Hullo? Uh, hi. it's err. it's David Bowie here. It is, I'm afraid. ha-HA! Yes, well, I can imagine that in your line of work you most probably do get fairly regular nuisance calls. Yes it is, yes. Oh, that's quite alright - it's rather an awkward position for me to have put you in, I suppose. No, no - no need to apologise at all, I can appreciate why you might have had some reservations regarding. authenticity. ha-HA! Yes, that's right. Oh, I'm feeling dangerously well, thank you. Listen, Deborah. it was Deborah wasn't it. Sorry, yes. Deborah - I wonder if you could perhaps do me the small favour of passing on my current telephone number to Mr. Nile Rodgers at your earliest convenience. Yes, that would be terrific. Thanks ever so much. Could you let him know also that I have some. ahm. some ideas that I'd very much like to run by him - if and when he has the available time to do so, of course. as well as a.. err. a strange and let's just say rather enchanting recording called Technodelic that I'd very much like him to uhh.. to listen to - if, mind you. IF, the wondrously talented sod hasn't already beaten me to it. HA-HA-HAA. "
I can quite clearly see him there now as I listen to Technodelic s Eno-esque instrumental Light In Darkness David elegantly marinating in a gin haze, listening to this LP for the very first time and uttering enthusiastic exclamations to himself ohh christ this is. I apologise in advance here, as I m now about to go and willingly hurl myself down a tangential rabbit-hole; reason being, I can t seem to shake David Bowie from my mind whenever I listen to this, YMO s sixth studio album.
However, the Costco magic set is made with durable materials that are built to last. One of the main features of the magic set is the instructional DVD that comes with it. This DVD provides step-by-step instructions for each trick, making it easy for anyone to learn and perform them.
Yellow Magic Orchestra – Technodelic
And with that, begins Yellow Magic Orchestra’s fifth—and arguably best—album, Technodelic. As opposed to the object of their disgust in that opening line, the album sparkles and is an absolutely gorgeous set of electronic pop music from a group at the very height of its abilities, and whose intent appears to be to throw a bit of a wrench in their creative process.
As such, it’s a bit of a departure for the trio, dialing up and broadening the sonics while at the same time refining their approach in the studio. The comparisons to Kraftwerk had always been there, and were perhaps justified, but Technodelic put those comparisons to bed permanently by reaching beyond the motorik, blippy aesthetic of previous albums and embracing a sound suite wider in scope, but a method more succinct and precise.
It’s not that some of those previously similar elements didn’t find their way into the album. It is an electronic album, at any rate, in an era whose music in many ways emerged from the shadows cast by Kraftwerk. But there’s just so much more going on here than the minimalist electronic pop so closely associated with Kraftwerk’s back catalog. YMO sounds untethered by their previous touchstones.
The feeling one gets from the album with respect to their output to that point is deliberate, sharp, expansive, and eye-opening. It’s hard to imagine Kraftwerk, for all its brilliance and innovation, constructing something like “Seoul Music,” with its percussive vocal samples, looped melody, and chugging bassline—or the rolling piano and faux trumpets of “Stairs.”
The album notes YMO’s first use of the LMD-649 sampler. Unlike their previous albums, samples really take the forefront here. It gives the album a quality rooted in both realism and sequenced synths. Together with the live drums and Haruomi Hosono’s bass playing, the album feels on one hand more tangible, more present—and on the other, transcendental and difficult to pinpoint.
Synths are still clearly a part of YMO’s bag of tricks, however, but the live instrumentation (or sampling thereof) grounds the album in reality. Many of the songs here contain constant reminders of the real world, whether it’s through bits of sampled chants, stomps, or factory sounds. The lyrics tend to be focused around earthly topics and making sense of what’s in front of us; whether it be an ugly slice of bread (“Pure Jam”), a moth or key in a forest (“Key”), or a foreign culture (“Seoul Music”), time and again the theme that YMO returns to is our perception of the world around us and how realities vary from person to person.
Then there’s the Brian Eno-like “Gradated Grey,” its swooping bits of compressed and phased air and effects interweaving throughout, with what sounds like a processed train whistle acting to guide the song along. It’s the calm before the storm of “Key” kicks in, inundating the listener with a manic beat and sequenced synths underlined by Takahashi’s lilted vocals.
We see the culmination of these themes in the lyrics here: “What do you see? / I see a moth / What kind? / It looks like my lover / Whatcha gonna do? / I wanna chase it.” The speaker here has difficulty identifying what precisely he’s seeing and experiencing (“Somebody please, what’s wrong with me?”). He quickly becomes frightened, unable to both disseminate his reality and escape it using the key he’s found. “I’ve got a feeling something’s happening / It gives me a thrill but it’s also very frightening.”
In a way, what YMO seems to be saying here, is that sometimes it’s best to accept something for what it is. Allowing yourself to assign a value or definition to something based on the perception of the world around you can lead to confusion and frustration. Sometimes it’s best to experience something by letting it ride over you and be what it is. This is music steeped in both the history of traditional music and at play with unconventional and innovative forms. Perhaps the statement here that YMO wants us to leave with is “let it be what it is.” It’s music, and it’s damn good.
The DVD is also great for visual learners, as it allows you to see the tricks being performed before attempting them yourself. The magic set includes classic tricks such as card tricks, disappearing objects, and coin tricks. It also includes more advanced tricks for those who are looking to expand their repertoire. The set even includes props for more elaborate tricks, such as a levitation device and a vanishing box. What I particularly love about the Costco magic set is that it encourages creativity and imagination. While the set provides instructions for specific tricks, it also allows for personalization and adaptation. Magicians can add their own unique twists to the tricks, making each performance their own. Overall, the Costco magic set is a fantastic investment for anyone interested in magic. Not only does it offer a variety of tricks and props, but it also provides high-quality materials and instructional support. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced magician, this magic set will surely amaze and delight both you and your audience..
Reviews for "Transform Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary with the Costco Magic Set"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I purchased the Costco magic set for my kids and I have to say, I was really disappointed. The tricks included were very basic and not very impressive. My kids quickly lost interest and moved on to playing with their other toys. I expected more from a set that claims to be a "magic set". I would not recommend this product.
2. John - 1 star - I bought the Costco magic set and it was a complete waste of money. The tricks were poorly explained and difficult to perform. My son got frustrated and gave up after a few attempts. The quality of the props was also lackluster; they were flimsy and broke easily. I would advise anyone considering buying this magic set to look elsewhere.
3. Emily - 2 stars - The Costco magic set was a letdown. The tricks were not as mind-blowing as I had hoped, and the instructions were confusing. The set lacked variety, and it felt like we were repeating the same tricks over and over again. Overall, it was an underwhelming experience, and I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a good magic set for their children.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I was excited to try out the Costco magic set, but it fell short of my expectations. The tricks included were too basic and not challenging enough. It didn't give me the satisfaction of performing a truly impressive magic trick. Additionally, the set was poorly organized, making it difficult to find the props needed for each trick. Overall, I was left wanting more from this magic set.