Magazine Revisited
To coincide with Magazine’s first UK tour since 1981 EMI are releasing a “definitive” double-disc anthology featuring tracks from all of the band’s four albums in chronological order.
It all kicks off with the original single version of, ‘Shot By Both Sides’ which reflects the punk spirit of the era that it rose from but with slick and energetic guitar riffs, rather than brawling punk snarls. Magazine’s music still feels as incisive and fresh today as in its heyday; hopefully the tour and reissues will spur a new generation on to check out the band’s post punk rock offerings. Howard Devoto’s crazed vocals have a theatrical edge that gives universal appeal, while the guitars spit out catchy melody after catchy melody. From the furious, frustrated surges of vocals in, ‘My Mind Ain’t So Open’ to the sublimely strange version of ‘Goldfinger’ with added synths and the creepy but compulsive ‘Permafrost’ Magazine won’t lose your attention. The first CD also offers some neat b-sides, such as the aforementioned, ‘My Mind Ain’t So Open’ and ‘I Love You, You Big Dummy’, which are good additions to any fans collection.
CD2 starts with the classic, ‘A Song From Under the Floorboards’, which has since been covered by Morrissey live on various occasions. The tracks from, ‘The Correct Use of Soap’ album are a mixed bunch, mellowing out a little from those on the previous CD and introducing a slightly more indie feel, ‘Because You’re Frightened’ would probably be the pick of the bunch. B-side ‘The Book’ is a queer and creative affair that consists mostly of spoken word over a sheer backing of electronica and building sounds, it’s an interesting insight into the things that made Magazine tick.
If you’re looking for a good introduction to Magazine then ‘Touch and Go’ will do the job perfectly, covering all eras of the band’s music and offering b-sides and non-album singles to whet the appetite. This is a perfect brief education in Magazine for anyone hoping to attend the live dates this February.