One thing that can go wrong in WordPress magazine themes is when users include too many words before the more tag.

/**
* Limit The Excerpt's Word Count
*
* http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/12/07/10-tips-optimize-wordpress-theme/
* 
* 
*/
function ilc_excerpt_length( $length ){
  return 10;
}
add_filter('excerpt_length', 'ilc_excerpt_length');