Lake Street Dive is an American band known for their eclectic blend of pop, soul, and jazz music. Formed in 2004, the band consists of lead vocalist Rachael Price, trumpet and guitar player Mike "McDuck" Olson, bassist Bridget Kearney, and drummer Mike Calabrese. Their breakout moment came in 2012 when a video of their cover of The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" went viral on YouTube, captivating viewers with their unique sound and Price's powerful vocals. This brought them widespread recognition and led to their signing with a major record label. Lake Street Dive's music is characterized by its infectious melodies, rich harmonies, and dynamic performances. Their songs often explore themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery, resonating deeply with their audience.
Honor's Magic Earbuds feature triple microphones and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). They are available in Robin Egg Blue (above) or Pearl White for £89.99 (€99.90).
Honor s profile in the UK is largely built on its mobile phones, although the company has also had laptops, fitness bands and smartwatches in its portfolio for some time. The 10mm driver delivers respectable bass response, but there s a loss of clarity in the mid and upper ranges that leaves some poppier or lighter tracks feeling slightly muddy or even washed out.
Their songs often explore themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery, resonating deeply with their audience. One of their most popular songs, "This Magic Moment," showcases their ability to combine different musical genres seamlessly. Originally recorded by The Drifters in 1960, Lake Street Dive's rendition infuses the song with their signature soulful sound, creating a captivating listening experience.
Honor Magic Earbuds, hands on: Capable and affordable, but battery life could be better
Honor's profile in the UK is largely built on its mobile phones, although the company has also had laptops, fitness bands and smartwatches in its portfolio for some time. Last year I looked at the Honor MagicWatch 2, for example. Now the Huawei sub-brand has launched a number of headphone products, including the £89.99 (inc. VAT) Honor Magic Earbuds I'm looking at here.
My review kit was a rather bright Robin Egg Blue. It's not quite colour match to robin's eggs I've seen, but I guess the point is that it's bright and different to the standard white or black. I rather like it, but if you don't there's a Pearl White alternative at the same price.
Honor's Magic Earbuds feature triple microphones and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). They are available in Robin Egg Blue (above) or Pearl White for £89.99 (€99.90).
Image: Sandra Vogel / ZDNetThe case is robust with solid hinges. It provides good protection for the buds themselves and, as you'd expect, a battery that can charge the buds. Honor says you'll get 14.5 hours of music playback with ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) turned off from the combination of buds and case batteries, or 12 hours if you have ANC turned on. The buds will provide 3 hours of music with ANC on, 3.5 with it off, and 2 hours of calls with ANC on, 2.5 with it off. These figures are definitely on the lower side. The good news is that the charge cable is USB-C, so if you're already carrying a cable it can double up to charge the Magic Earbuds.
Honor provides three sets of silicon tips to play with in addition to the set that's attached out of the box and I got a nice, snug fit. The buds are light at just 5.5g each, and the case only weights 51g.
Pairing is easy. Open the case, and hold down the pairing button on the back until a light between the in-case earbuds flashes, and you are ready to pair.
What matters most, though, is usability and audio quality. On the usability front, I found the touch controls worked a treat. Tapping either bud controls music playback, and when you take a bud out of your ear, whatever is playing back automatically pauses. Tapping also answers calls and toggles ANC. The buds have three mics located around them to help work out what you want your interlocutor to hear (your own voice), and what needs to be blocked out (ambient noise). When I asked people on the other end of voice calls if they could hear me well, they said 'yes'.
Image: Sandra Vogel / ZDNetMusic sounds fine unless you need a lot of bass. Volume goes loud enough, although it does lose fidelity at the top of the range. Spoken-word content like radio or audiobooks is perfectly good enough. I tested the ANC by listening with the radio on in the background and blocking was noticeable, if not total. Busy and noisy environments like train stations aren't available to me right now, although testing experience suggests there will be some noise blocking in these locations.
The band's live performances are known to be energetic and charismatic, with Price leading the way by engaging the audience with her soulful and emotive vocals. They have built a strong and loyal fan base, drawing thousands of fans to their concerts around the world and selling out renowned venues. Lake Street Dive's success is a testament to their talent, hard work, and dedication to their craft. Their unique sound and ability to transcend genres have allowed them to stand out in the music industry, earning them a devoted following and critical acclaim. In conclusion, Lake Street Dive is a band that has made a significant impact in the music industry with their blend of pop, soul, and jazz. Their breakout moment with the viral cover of "I Want You Back" propelled them to success, and they continue to captivate audiences with their infectious melodies and powerful performances..
Reviews for "Lake Street Dive: A Nagic Moment in the World of Indie Music"
1. Mike - 2 out of 5 stars
I was really excited to listen to "This Magic Moment" by Lake Street Dive, as I had heard great things about their music. However, I was disappointed with this album. The songs all sounded very similar, with repetitive melodies and predictable chord progressions. There was no variety or experimentation in their sound. Additionally, the lyrics felt cliché and lacked depth. Overall, I found this album to be uninspiring and forgettable.
2. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars
I cannot understand the hype around Lake Street Dive and their album, "This Magic Moment." The lead singer's voice is grating and lacks emotion. The instrumentation is dull and monotonous, with no standout moments. The songs all blend together and I found myself struggling to differentiate one track from another. It was a real disappointment and I cannot recommend it to anyone who appreciates good music.
3. John - 2 out of 5 stars
Lake Street Dive's "This Magic Moment" left me underwhelmed. The production on this album is lackluster, with a muffled and flat sound. The songs lack energy and I found myself getting bored halfway through most tracks. The album lacks any memorable hooks or catchy melodies. Overall, I was expecting much more from this band, but unfortunately, this release fell short of my expectations.
4. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars
I listened to "This Magic Moment" by Lake Street Dive and was left disappointed. The songs lacked originality and failed to make any lasting impression on me. The band's attempt to capture a vintage sound felt forced and contrived. The vocals were passable, but nothing remarkable. I found myself wanting something more exciting and innovative from this album, but unfortunately, it did not deliver.