Pitchfork

Sorry, kids. The real Madder Rose has gone camping and -- you'd better sit down -- is never coming home again. Sure, this new release from New York's formerly incredible girl-pop band has its rare moments of shining beauty. "Float to the Top" is an acidjazz- flavored soundbyte with a chorus like drifting snow, and "Delight's Pool" is borderline smooth genius, but the ride ends there.

Here's my guess: These kids were pretty fond of the critical praise their Bring It Down and Panic On releases received, but sadly, reviews didn't pay the bills. Then they were scooped up by a major that probably influenced them to "sound a little more like 'commercial.' Like No Doubt." Hoping it would finally sell some records, they went for it. The sad truth is, if they'd kept it real and made a record even half as good as Bring It Down, it'd have been the breakthrough. Instead, Tragic Magic as a record is only half baked, and as a title is only half right.