Stevie Nicks, the iconic singer-songwriter and member of the band Fleetwood Mac, contributed greatly to the soundtrack of the film "Practical Magic." Her enchanting voice and mystical lyrics perfectly complemented the magical and whimsical atmosphere of the movie. One of the most notable songs by Stevie Nicks in "Practical Magic" is "If You Ever Did Believe." This hauntingly beautiful ballad captures the essence of the film, with its lyrics expressing a longing for love and connection. It sets the tone for the story and creates an emotional connection between the audience and the characters. Another standout track by Nicks is "Crystal," a song originally recorded with Fleetwood Mac but re-recorded for the film.
Another standout track by Nicks is "Crystal," a song originally recorded with Fleetwood Mac but re-recorded for the film. The ethereal quality of the song, combined with Nicks' distinct vocals, adds an element of mystery and enchantment to the movie. The lyrics, with lines like "Do you always trust your first initial feeling?" further contribute to the overall theme of trusting one's instincts and embracing magic.
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 battery case avoids imitating Apple, opting for a longer design that allows the Earbuds to lie flat side-by-side. It’s not the slimmest, most portable case out there, and the glossy finish attracts scuffs and scratches easily, but it is at least lightweight at just 51g.
Furthermore, "Practical Magic" features Nicks' duet with Sheryl Crow titled "If It Makes You Happy." This upbeat and empowering song perfectly captures the spirit of the film, emphasizing the importance of finding joy and happiness in one's life. It brings a sense of lightness and optimism to the movie, providing a balance to the more intense and emotional moments. Stevie Nicks' music in "Practical Magic" not only enhances the overall atmosphere of the film but also adds depth to the characters and their emotional journeys. Her songs are like spells themselves, casting a magical spell on the viewers and immersing them in the world of the movie. Through her music, Nicks elevates the film to another level, making it a truly enchanting and memorable experience..
Reviews for "Practical Magic's Musical Alchemy: The Stevie Nicks Touch"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to listen to the music by Stevie Nicks in "Practical Magic" as I am a fan of her work. However, I was left disappointed and underwhelmed. The songs felt completely out of place in the movie and did not add to the overall ambiance or storytelling. While I appreciate her talent, I don't think her music was well-integrated into this particular film.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - As a huge Stevie Nicks fan, I was expecting the music in "Practical Magic" to be a highlight. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The songs felt like they were randomly thrown in without any connection to the plot or enhancing the emotions of the characters. It was disappointing to see Nicks' talent wasted in a movie where her music didn't serve a purpose.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate Stevie Nicks' musical prowess, I don't think her music choice for "Practical Magic" was fitting. The songs didn't seem to blend well with the overall atmosphere of the film and felt forced at times. It seemed like the filmmakers were more interested in capitalizing on Nicks' popularity rather than thoughtfully incorporating her music into the story. As a result, it left a disjointed and jarring experience.
4. Sarah - 3/5 stars - I had mixed feelings about the music by Stevie Nicks in "Practical Magic." While I love her music, I felt that some of the songs didn't quite fit the tone of the movie. However, there were a few instances where her music did enhance specific scenes and added an enjoyable touch. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to fully utilize Nicks' talent in a more cohesive and impactful way.