Coming straight out of Eric Forman‘s basement, Magic Beans have delivered a new music video for “Sweet Thang”. The single arrived earlier this month as the first off the band’s forthcoming double LP, Slice of Life, due out on April 30th.
Opening with an homage to the classic FOX sitcom featuring the quartet arranged in the iconic “circle,” members of the band trade stoned witticisms before coming to a head with guitarist Scott Hachey declaring, “I’m thinking about killing John Lennon.” From there, viewers are dropped straight into the electro-funk that is Magic Beans. With keyboardist Casey Russell delivering silky lead vocals, “Sweet Thang” effortlessly coalesces into the wheelhouse of time-tested Magic Beans tunes.
While “Sweet Thang” feels instantly familiar to Magic Beans fans, Slice of Life finds the band exploring a plethora of musical influences. Ranging from the band’s classic retro-funk sound all the way to Americana influences—including a guest appearance from Torrin Daniels (Kitchen Dwellers) on a future track—the new album is an exercise in introspection by the Denver jam band. Prompted by a year off the road due to the pandemic, Slice of Life gives fans a perspective of the last year for Magic Beans as they were forced to focus on their craft in a whole new way.
“The title is ’Slice of Life’ because it’s just that: a random and unplanned snap-shot of the band in this time and place—a self-portrait done unknowingly,” the band said in a statement.
Watch the new music video for “Sweet Thang” by Magic Beans. Slice of Life is out on April 30th, and pre-orders for the album are now open on the band’s website.
Magic Beans – “Sweet Thang” (Official Video)
[Video: Magic Beans]
To make a hard year even harder for the Beans, last month a trailer containing all of the band’s merchandise was stolen from their home in Denver. With live shows put on pause for the past year, the band’s merchandise sales have been its primary source of income. While police searched for the stolen trailer, the band’s devoted fans stepped up and donated over $5,000 to help the group recuperate its losses. According to a representative for the band, the trailer was eventually found, though it had been broken into and the contents stolen.