Reviews (page 4 of 8)
i liked it alright
Futuristic pop rock music, sometimes like Talking Heads sometimes a little bit of punk.
Not another 70s British band, sigh.
I didn’t mind the circus/funfair instrumentation of ‘The Great Beautician in the sky’ , but other than that i’d struggle to find anything positive to say. I really didnt like the vocals and other than TGBITS there was nothing to make the music fight through this to dtand out
I normally quite like the sort of post-punk-moving-towards-new-wave type of music, but this just didn’t do it for me at all. It was totally forgettable almost as soon as I had finished it.
This was a very confusing listening experience. Definitive Gaze for some reason made me think it should have been used for the theme tune for a Tomorrow's World rival in the early 80's. My Tulpa was ska-ish. Burst was sort of Rocky Horror but rubbish. There was a lot of this album that, on paper, meant I should have really enjoyed it. Dear reader, I did not really enjoy it. The Goldfinger cover from the bonus tracks sealed its fate. 2/5
Trodde detta skulle vara rätt meh, men det visade sig vara en riktigt bra skiva. Perfekt dos av pre-punk och new wave. Väldigt melodiskt och roliga låtar. Burst låter extremt mycket som space oddity, tydlig inspiration. Kan nog lyssna mer i långa loppet. Kul överraskning.
Vilken överraskning och vilken fantastisk skiva. Lyssnat 5-6 gånger och den bara växer och växer för varje gång. Varenda låt på hela skivan, undantaget Recoil som endast är OK, är bra eller ännu oftare mycket bra. Extra pluspoäng för den stora variationen mellan låtarna. Kan nog vara det roligaste upptäckten hittills i detta projekt.
I think I first became aware of Magazine when Radiohead covered Shot By Both Sides during the Kid A tour. They were moving away from traditional rock band sounds and pushing more electronic influences like Aphex Twin and Squarepuaher which were confusing to someone who has got into them via The Bends. It seemed like a bit of an olive branch to say that there were still cool post punk bands out there to explore if you didn't want to be trying to keep up with bleepy modern music. I can hear a bit some of the influence on Thom Yorke and co, but actually listening to Real Life I felt a few times this was like the 'punk' Roxy Music. The Light Pours Out of Me is amazing
Some solid tunes but mostly very average.
Definite punk sound but with keys and better playing. Punk meets prog meets mid 80s new wave synth pop. Very cool album.
Never really listened to this guys before, I dig it. Will listen to more
No song I liked
Smells like brit landfill rock and tastes so sweet. Kaiser Chiefs could never. Kasabian can suck it. Hoosiers who? This shit came out in the 70s and that is blowing my nut off. Awesome.
fun
I wasn't expecting to enjoy an album from 1978 that's a debut from a post-punk band, especially with new wave and art rock tendencies. Art rock is typically way too pretentious, and post-punk can sound too similar to the abrasive proto-punk. No, Magazine used these genres to create catchy and fun music with good lyrics. The instrumental bits caught me by surprise, especially in the beginning of the first song. The keyboards stood out. And I was reminded of Arcade Fire several decades later! (I'm 90% I didn't imagine it.) In that regard, Real Life sounds ahead of its time.
I wasn't quite sure how to categorize this album. This album has been categorized as "new wave", "post-punk", and "art rock", and while it does have elements of all of these, it doesn't fit neatly into any of these genres. That said, it also didn't really scratch the "itch" for me in any of these genres, either. I will say: "The Great Beautician in the Sky", as a song title, does really amuse me for some reason. And was it just me, or did the album get zanier as it went on? That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as I was a little bored with it. This was not bad, but it didn't really wow me or impress me. It's probably about a 2.5 for me, but I'm not inspired enough to round it up.
Am I going to get flamed for this review? Had never heard of this album, nor the band. Immediately downloaded the entire thing. This was FUN. The instrumentation on this thing is nuts. I hear a lot of bands I like in this record, there's a bit of everything here. Best tracks: Definitive Gaze (excellent opener), Recoil (HUGE energy), Burst, The Great Beautician in the Sky (had to listen to this three times just to really take it all in), Parade (the instrumentation at the beginning of this would fit right into a Tekken 2 cut scene). This is my favourite so far (of albums previously unknown)!
The cover made me hope I was listening to some edgy girl punk group. Unfortunately, this groups under another 70s punk inspired album (English perhaps? I don't know, I went in blind). The bad: the vocals. It's that 70s talky/shouty and hard to pick out a melody. It's the one thing that really annoyed me about this album. However, by the back end of it, I'd gotten over it (and myself?). It's a product of the times. The good: I'm going to guess here, but I feel like the guitar player is a genius. The album varies greatly which a great range of instrumentation. There's a nice dottering of synth (is that a word?) and the musical style jumps in and outwards around the aforementioned 70s punk/new wave. In a world where I have to listen to one album each day, I've now decided that 3 stars counts for 'more of the same' and this wasn't. I'm really sorry, Taylor Swift, you're album should have been 4 stars. This took me on a journey, and while the lead part was played by a 1 dimensional actor (I'm thinking Vince Vaughn), the ensemble cast were eclectic and exciting, with a little visit from Rodney Dangerfield (I don't get any respect at all!) to hold it in a consistent territory. Did that make sense? 4 stars
This album is like going to a travelling carnival with a girl you secretly like but haven’t told yet. The park has real carnie vibes, and the rides look pretty sketchy. You both enjoy yourself, and end things going into the mirror maze together. You have a really fun time, then agree to get a hot dog and some candy floss to share before you’ll go home. Half way through the candy floss, you’re just about to ask this girl if she’d like to go on a date with you, but before you can she starts talking first. “It’s been so great just hanging out with a friend. I’ve really needed this, thanks buddy!” Buddy?! And to think you were gonna suggest having a go at the ring toss before leaving, so that you could try and win a teddy bear to give to her.
Sometimes it feels like you are listening to the list of "1001 albums you could get through life not hearing and not be missing out on anything" This is one of those albums. When they showed off their punk and ska roots, with some nice 2 step rhythms it was good. But mist if the time it just made me feel nothing.
4.25
Tässähän oli ajatusta. 3,5 tähteä
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Musa ihan jees! Laulajan ääni ja tyyli lähinnä ärsytti.
An even more British version of The Cure, is it possible? Nothing reached me quite like The Cure though (2.5/5)
Post punk, Bowie-esque.
01) Definitive Gaze - 8,0 02) My Tulpa - 7,0 03) Shot by Both Sides - 8,0 04) Recoil - 7,0 05) Burst - 7,0 06) Motorcade - 7,0 07) The Great Beautician in the Sky - 6,5 08) The Light Pours Out of Me - 7,5 09) Parade - 8,0 TOTAL: 7,33 (73/100) Current ranking: 321/673
I have been assigned so much post-punk in the last few weeks I'm starting to feel like this is a targeted psy-op. 3.5/5
Really liked this whole thing. Definitely my kind of sound, though not perfect. Favorites were Definitive Gaze, Shot by Both Sides, Burst, and Parade. 9/10, 4 stars.
I actually enjoyed a lot of this. The main problem (and it's a big one)- is yet again the garbage British vocals. So mopey and annoying to listen to. About 7 songs in I started to wonder when it would end. Enjoyable instrumentation though. Went back and forth between a 2 and 3 a bunch. 4.75/10 (2.375/5)
Went in completely blind. What an album! Another great discovery. Albums like this is why I keep doing this. Great thrilling record. Versatile and very cool.
like 2 really good songs in the second half, while the rest of the album is not as amazing
not bad but wouldnt go out of my way to listen again
The Temptations are a whole ass vibe. Super funky and smooth, and very much about social issues of the time. I like the experimental nature of it too. Not necessarily something I would listen to all the time, but in the right situation it's super cool. I hear a lot of influence of Marvin Gaye in this too.
The guy cant sing.
No thank you
Love everything about this. What a special timeless album, just the right about of weirdness with the energy to match. Great synth use and feels to me like if you made the cars a bit more punk and a lot more weird and I am here for it.
BLERGH!
Punk is a few years old and already we were moving on to post-punk? Catchy songs with twists, and with The Light Pours Out of Me and Shot By Both Sides Magazine brought two great anthems for this newer sound
I didn't like this. I didn't think it was terrible, I just didn't vibe with it
Woah, this is my first never-heard-of-them-before five. I know the singer from the buzzcocks but these songs are much more like a well baked breakfast pastry than his previous band's wonderful Nick Tahoe's garbage plate songs
This did absolutely nothing for me
Good fun.
Bara svona miðlungs
Heyrðu, bara nokkuð ágætt. Sum ekki alveg að hitta en ég er í góðu skapi af því ég bjóst við mjög slæmu.
I tried, but I just couldn’t get into this one.
It's a big step up from Germs, but the new wave that I like is more of the synthesized-sound of Talking Heads, Duran Duran, Blondie, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, and Tears for Fears. This is still too punky for my liking. Tangentially, I got a big kick out of the names of Magazine's other albums: The Correct Use of Soap; Secondhand Daylight; Magic, Murder and the Weather; and No Thyself.
This started ok, but the it begins to grate after about halfway through. I'm with Jon, maybe all this punk isn't for me
Blegh
Fun album. But the 1001 albums guy's taste is peaking through, post-punk/new wave music from the UK is starting to get old...
Solid first album, way ahead of it's time for 1979. Some big hits. Some of it sounds like spooky carnival music though.
Second listen cause I had to be sure; yeah punkish vibes Television but it didn't get over the hump of gloriousnessness.
I don’t get it. It seems very bland and boring. The highlights are the parts Steve Shelley was involved with, but even that makes me wish I was listening to the Buzzcocks instead. Not my thing. Slow, meandering, pretentious, forgettable. 37%
I couldn’t get past third track. I really wanted to like it after a strong beginning but it just felt blah to me.
My opinion of this swung wildly throughout the day. I don’t remember hearing these guys before now. It was a little irritating getting started, but by "Motorcade” and "The Light Pours Out of Me,” I wanted to give it another shot. The Buzzcocks lineage isn’t obvious. It sounds way more Bowie meets Roxy Music. I think I like it, maybe a lot? I’ll revisit it soon.
im glad we're in a post post punk world
I would have liked this album more if the longer songs had been cut down. It kind of felt self indulgent.
This is a weird one. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it, I also didn't think it was just OK. 3 stars
Not very engaged, had to stop it midway of a walk
Nothing special. Not offensive, not particulary interesting.
Unique sound, psychedelic with good drums.
I find it difficult to listen to due to it's lack of hooks and melody but it is full of soundscapes and deep, rich textures. Reminds me of The Fall, PiL, Joy Division and the like. Challenging and not really my wheelhouse but I "get" it.
Seeing so many positive reviews for this and wondering what I’m missing. Oh well
Cool 80's dark wave vibes
Likte det, mange kule sanger!
This album was pretty fun! Some weird creepy circus vibes going on haha, I enjoyed it but don’t know if I would listen again
I thought this was a really solid album. Especially loved definitive gaze, my tulpa, and touch and go. Some of the stuff in the middle was less my taste, but I can definitely see how this was a very influential album. I found some of the songs were almost verging on a rock musical theatre sound, kind of like phantom and rocky horror which was pretty cool.
Psychedelic punk plus the Cabaret soundtrack-ish? Can't believe I've never even heard of them before. Shot by Both Sides added to Liked
Fun
Good interesting rock album.
This album would be near perfect but for some reason it chose to jump off a bridge by the end.
"[...] a pioneering post-punk record. It has also been described as new wave and art rock." The way I went from "Oh, no!" to "Ohhh!?" needs to be studied. No, really, this presses a lot of the right buttons and I don't know what or where they are. Someone tell me. I should be put off by the voice, but it doesn't even matter. Dope. A bit later. Not 5 star dope - it starts to drag after Motorcade - but easily up there with Television's "Marquee Moon", as far as my enjoyment with this list's pre-80s post-punk goes. I'll keep this one around. Nice.
There was a part of me as I was thinking about this band that I would get the names mixed up. I would say Television in my head when I meant Magazine. I can see this being an important album as it firmly sits between the Punk and New-Wave genres. While this might sound harsh that it excels in neither of them but was solid all around. A good album for fans of both as you won't be disappointed.
2.9 // punk, but sometimes sounded like clown - carnival music. weird, but honestly didn't hate it
Mid
Took a bit of time to get into but grew on me more with each listen. A lot to like in this one.
The whole post punk genre is something I am slowly getting the hang of. Generally it lacks the energy of actual punk and the melodies and sophistication of indie rock, but this one really works for me. The initial listen exposed the poor vocals but on a subsequent listen it really grows on you. Happy to add a few tracks to my playlist and possibly only one or two duds.
Yeah I’m somewhat lost with this one. I thought punk was supposed to be the antithesis of prog rock, and yet somehow this seems to bridge both and more. The experimentation and general doing its own thing’ness is enjoyable, but at the same time it’s really hard to love any of it. Shot by both sides, is the only song I fully liked. I feel I should listen some more, but for today it’s a sit on the fence 3*.
Sharp, forward-looking post-punk from one of England's best. Full of melodic hooks and instrumental color. Couples top-notch songcraft (including Howard Devoto's pointed lyrics) with tight, sure-footed performances. Track after track is exceptional (with the minor exception of "Recoil" which seems more like a jam than a complete song).
Unfortuntely boring, would give 2.5 stars if half ratings were possible.
I appreciate the innovation for the time. Some highlights are early goth sounds and killer bass on 'Motorcade'.
Nah, dont like
Once I pushed past the opening track (which I didn't care for at all), this album got better as it progressed. I wasn't exactly sure what I was expecting to hear, but I mostly enjoyed whatever the hell this was supposed to be. Post punk? Maybe. New Wave? Not really. Either way, it wasn't bad.
Meh. This wasn't anything special.
Very Punk sounding but explores more production and instrumentation. Some places refer to this album as New Wave - I’d say it bridges a gap between 70’s Punk and 80’s New Wave. Notable songs include My Tulpa, Shot By Both Sides, Burst, Motorcade, The Light Pours Out of Me.
Not a big fan of punk. Not a fan of these guys at all
I see the vision on this one, and to be fair they nearly pulled it off. I just think that a but more polish would have done this album wonders.
Det här gillar jag, lyssnade lite på Magazine för många många år sen och det är nog dags att börja igen. Härligt arty postpunk som på denna skivan (debuten) fortfarande har ena tåspetsen kvar i punken och så den karaktäristiskt mixade postpunkbasen som vi hör i Cure eller NewOrder t.ex. Inledningstrippeln låtar är sensationell, med Shot by both sides som juvelen i kronan., skriven ihop med gamla Buzzcocks partnern Pete Shelley, vilket jädra drag! Även om det tappar lite tempo och direktheten sedan finns här en uppfriskande nyfikenhet med flörtar bland annat till den begynnande syntpopen och man har aldrig tråkigt. Motorcade låter lite besläktad med Television i sina lugnar partier på ett brittiskt vis och är förstås kanon. Parade avslutar på topp med underskönt piano och den klassiska postpunksaxen kanske egentligen före sin tid eller så var det här den föddes. Väger mellan trean och fyran men det här var så kul att upptäcka igen så vi går uppåt. Lyssna också på Imperiet - Rasera, Wire - 154, Kommande Suede albumet
Tidigare ohört för mig. Är rätt förtjust i postpunk-eran överlag och här finns absolut en del lyssningsvärt, (My Tulpa, Shot by both sides, Light pours out of me) i synnerhet när det blir mer post än punk. Som helhet höjer det sig inte över genomsnittet i genren.
New Wave-punk från deccenieskiftet 70-80 måste vara en av de mest överskattade genres bland gubbiga rockrecensenter. Inget större undantag här. Tycker förvisso att skivan växer vid en andra genomlyssning men särskilt bra blir det aldrig. Det finns en del goda tendenser som t ex Shot by both sides, men också riktiga bottennapp som Parade och The great beautican in the sky.
Omslaget signalerar konstnärsambitioner och tveksam talang. Och det är en rättvisande bild. Det finns delar i nästan alla låtar som jag kan uppskatta. Men det finns också en outhärdlig synt i nästan alla låtar. Postpunksången klarar jag inte heller av. Men jag gissar att synten och sången var gruppens signum? Recoil och Burst är riktiga bottenapp. Med andra ord, det här var inget för mig.
Not too bad of an album. Lots of post-punk bands can be heard influenced by this one. 3/5 just for that factor. I enjoyed the album but I don't feel a need to hear it more than a few times in my life.
3.5 The first half is incredible. The songs are much stronger than in the second half. I really didn't like the vocalist, but I guess I could get used to him. I guess Barry Adamson is not completely useless after all?
First listen, the singing grated. Glad I gave it another couple of listens as it really grew in me. 3.5 rounded up to 4 as I feel it'll keep growing
nao me pegou muito nao sendo bem sincera
Perhaps this represented something groundbreaking in its day, but except for one or two gems, most of it sounds fairly pedestrian to today’s ears.
Nothing original here. A rehash of their stuff from fifty years ago with nothing new to say. Tried to listen to the whole record but didn’t make it
Close between 2/3 - didn’t dislike it but was a struggle to keep going. Probably deserves more listens but that’s the nature of this game
A lot of post punk in this list and it’s just not my bag
I really like Howard Devoto but this album disappointed me.
I had never listened to this band before. There were a few songs that I'll add to playlists: Definitive Gaze, Shot By Both Sides and my favorite The Light Pours Out of Me.
Some interesting elements, particularly in the title track, but a little unfocused overall to deliver more than a light 3.
I'm questioning my taste in music a bit and also contemplating on how tastes are formed. I'd be lying if I said that I enjoyed listening to this album. Maybe I was just born too late ('93) any my taste developed differently? Whereas I liked the overall sound of the production, parts of this album genuinely felt repetitive and annoying to me to listen to. I'm sure academically / musically it's an interesting, complex dive but I don't see myself re-listening to this in the future.
Awesome Post Punk and new to me.
Ugh! Sounds like a newly formed high-school band playing songs written for a never-to-be-made vampire action TV series on one of the legacy networks. Also, not a fan of lead singers who can’t sing. It’s a 1.
Not sure I have really heard any of this bands stuff. Good album, liked it!
An interesting late 70s album from the former Buzzcocks vocalist. Two favorite tracks on first listen were "Definitive Gaze" (the opener) and "The Light Pours Out of Me" (which sounds like a lot of the throwback to this sound indie music from the early 2000s). Some weak tracks, but an interesting listen throughout!
boring and uninspiring, no clue why this belongs on a list like this
3.5 for me, another album I’ll go back to after this is all over.
Bem legal!
Another album where I find the singing incredibly grating. It distracts me from both the lyrics and the instrumentation. I gave the album an honest go and listened to the whole thing, it's just not for me, I think.
The singer can't sing and the saxophone player can't play the saxophone... Noisy shit
4 stars - some really good instrumentals on here
Takie se. Dwie piosenki do zapisania, ale większość do zapomnienia. Podobne płaskie piosenki. 2/5
With a better singer, this could have been decent. As it stands, it’s just generic rock with a terrible voice.
++: Definitive Gaze, Shot by Both Sides, Recoil, Burst, The Light Pours Out of Me, Parade +: Motorcade, The Great Beautician in the Sky +-: My Tulpa 7,0/10
Ja taas britit... parhaillaan ihan hyviä biisejä mut ei koko levyä kanna. 2.5/5
Kind of weird, kind of punk, it was ok, I guess. There are too many albums in this project that I cannot figure out why I “have” to listen to them before I die. 2.5 stars.
Initial listen gave me a solid tour of late 70’s punk/post punk scene. Rating a three…I’m way behind on my list, but when I catch up I’m definitely giving this one another listen or two (along with PJ Harvey).
An absolute treat of a listen - very quirky, weird and fun instrumentation.
rock-cito
fun and surprising
Usually I like punk but I have no idea what this was. It was quite mediocre and boring and drab.
At the beginning of the first track, I was pumped. The instrumentation slapped. But then the voice, that horrible, horrible voice. With a decent vocalist, this would have been an easy 4-stars; possibly 5-star-worthy.
It's very experimental in a way I really don't enjoy.
It was oke
Liked it better than I normally like this genre.
Post punk from 1978? Wow. Well done.
Wow. The late 70s had some real surprises for me. First, Television blew me away with Marquee Moon earlier on the list. And I have to say, Magazine didn't disappoint. I was wondering as I listened about what an amazing concert it would have been if they had toured together. I'll give Television the technical artistic nod, but I found Magazine more accessible and relatable. Both are now in rotation for me. I hope you'll give them both a spin!
Was fun enough, was kinda in the zone with work so didn't standout a lot for me. Will I listen to again: 37%
I love albums that surprise me. Never heard of it. And at first I thought I read the year wrong because of how modern it sounded. Then the verses kicked in and that vocal sound is definitely from the late 70s. This is fun so far. This album is a wild ride and I’m only on track two. It’s fun and provocative at the same time. For a minute I thought that “recoil” was a ramones song. “Burst” is fantastic and has a David Bowie like composition to it. It makes me wonder which came first. This is another case where once they hit a groove each song feels like it gets better. This feels like an intentional progression through songs. This album is great!!
Yeah, I'm into this one. You can hear the remnants of the early punk movement in the lyrics, while exploring psych and proto-80s electronic tones in the music. There also seems to be a big switch-up in theme/mood from the A-side to the B-side of the album. A band, that based on this album, some would consider underrated, deserving the popularity the Banshees or Gang of Four got. Perhaps they're perfectly rated. Good album.
I think I’d like this more if it was more…anthemic. It’s just a mold of a numerous, very similar Brit rock bands. It’s sounds like it’s from the 70’s yet it also is similar to the Hives. Meh, nothing special here
I want to like this but the lazy vocals and out of key guitar solos (and synths on occasion) really kill this. Good vibe with ok songs but lazy execution.
Thought it was ok post-punk, definitely understand their importance as they are an influence on some of my favorite British bands
enlightening prog rock
British punk rock in this era is kinda wonky to me. I either find it really good and innovative for it's time or straight up not for me. It was both for this album. The first half I liked, the second half was eh. Not bad, but some songs I liked, most I didn't care for too much.
It was interesting to read about this and it sounded pretty damn good for being one of the first post-punk joints. I liked it, but I like what spanned from it even more. Lower 4
A refreshing take on what punk can become when it’s elevated by more musical and experimental ambition. Real Life builds on punk’s raw energy but adds layers of intelligence, melody, and arrangement that make the album both exciting and accessible. While there’s darkness and edge, it never becomes too heavy, there’s also light, rhythm, and a sense of innovation. A strong debut and a key release in the post-punk movement. 4/5
★★★½
Pretty good the whole way through except one bad song.
This might be a 4 in truth…
392/1001
Will be listening to again.
Post punk crap
This is hard to review, because I never want to hear this again, but there was nothing notably wrong with it.
Sparse post punk, didn't do much for me.
Gothic circus punk that sounds really good, but eventually started to annoy me with the lack of memorable melodies, hooks, lyrics, or anything about the songwriting that suck with me
Don’t know why the album has the slightly worse version of Shot By Both Sides. The Light Pours Out Of Me is the stand-out here, but a pretty good post-punk album
To me it turned out not to be the most memorable album, as I had to listen to it at least 3 times to remember it well enough to give a rating later on. Still, it is a very energetic and generally fun album. Also ahead of its time; a similar album could have been released decades later. Would listen again, although not at the top of my list.
It got better as it went along
I can hear so many bands this album must have 8nfluenced (Supergrass, Minor Threat, Fugazi) also some contemporaries that shared a similar mindset (Gang of Four, Specials, Buzzcocks) An album like this is the whole reason I started this journey. (Almost) Makes sitting through all the shit European electronic albums worth it
The album itself is pretty astonishing for 1978. It has great production value that feels timeless, and the band is clearly on the same level with one another. My problem, like with so many post punk/new wave records, is that so much of it is almost instantly forgettable. I know this is pure opinion, but that's my main struggle with the genre; I can't remember any of the damn tunes.
Hard to be more in my wheelhouse than an artsy, spacey post-punk album closing with a cover of Goldfinger.
Fun sound and an easy listen.
I had never heard of this album or band either but wound up loving this one. Reminds me of television a little bit. Some tracks feel like they would fit in well in a Tony hawk soundtrack
What a weird album. I love it.
“The Light Pours Out On Me” is an amazing track.
Not bad, sounds like ADHD hipster stuff.
< the Beatles Last album I got was a punk album by a band I had never heard of. It was incredible but it was pretty low rated because... It was punk, I think. This album, also by a band I had never heard of before, is higher rated than that album yet is.. bad. It continues the trend of post punk being as shit as every other kind of punk is good. Holy shit. Just got to the Goldfinger cover... Fuck this band
Never heard this band before, but I quite enjoyed listening this album. Songs are experimental and playful and I like the sinister undertow (both musically and lyrically) of the songs. With good vocals it could actually be really good, but with these vocals, not so much.
trebo sam temeljito oprat CD da preslušam album. jako dobro! nisam dugo slušo i još je bolji od sjećanja. moram slušat ponovo
Finally someone I've never heard of before again! Very weird and funky tunes happening. I thought it was all instrumental and then the WEIRDEST vocals started. I don't hate it though!!! It's very interesting. Why am I really digging this lol. It's almost surf rock-ish? Almost reminiscent of the B-52s or Talking Heads. The singers voice reminds me of Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah almost. It was good! Better than I expected it to be. I would love if they were a small local band, I feel like they'd be my favorite local band but I don't think their style is my taste overall. Still, Magazine exceeded expectations. The fact that this came out in 2007 and yet retains the sounds of late 1970s and early 1980s is impressive. Good for them for finding what theyre good at and what works and sticking to it.
I liked a couple of the early songs, but I can't get past the singing choice. I just don't like the sound.
Well, this is deeply unpleasant immediately. Second track marginally better. Who is this for?? I am struggling. It’s too much and not enough at the same time. I can see this is bridging a gap between something and something else, but the experience is bad. Not for me.
Just listened to this for our house 1001 albums. I usually put less effort into those reviews, which is a shame, but I don't have much else to add here at the moment, except in an ideal world I would listen to this again and hopefully give it a 5. But I won't, so here's my review: Very good (it's good stuff!). Only really listened to Buzzcocks, but really enjoyed this. Don't think I've heard anything that similar from that time period. On the art side of punk - ska and Elvis Costello-esque piano. Would like to listen to this again ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was ok? I guess? I don’t know, it didn’t really keep my interest so it couldn’t have been that good.
meh 2/5
82/100. A strong post-punk album. While it doesn’t always hit with standout hooks, its atmosphere and confident execution make it a compelling listen.
Not my taste.
Yawn. Couldn't finish. Maybe it would have gotten 3 stars if it didn't come right after some awful industrial metal - I can't do wacky vocals. So annoying, just sing normal!!! - On a short leash after the last album (industrial metal). They're gonna have to cut the wacky stuff if they want me to finish this album. - Maybe it's pioneering but I don't hear it. Just sounds like more of the same rock music I've been hearing
chato
This was solid
some will see this as post punk nonsense. I think it's rad.
This band is very much my alley so surprised to be hearing about them for the first time. Seems in a similar vein to Television, really into it.
Some interesting songs but not enough to make me want to hear more. 2 stars or D+.
This one lost me early. Not sure what they were trying to be and I have my doubts that the knew themselves.
Delightfully weird, diverse, and ahead of its time. 4/5
Are we post-punk here? Are we just straight up late-era punk? I don't know to be honest, but I do know that Magazine are a band regularly cited by James Dean Bradfield as being very important to him, and I guess that makes them very important to me. Also, on a base level, this is just really good songwriting, a cracking vocalist and very enjoyable songs. Dark, but not Joy Division dark. The right kind of darkness.
A nice surprise. Good energy. Have to admit the cover made me apprehensive but I got a fair bit of joy, especially the opening 3 or 4 tracks.
Such a great sound, arrangement and structure. Was surprised by how much it drew me in. Feels accomplished, skillful and unique. Post-punk with a much more skillful side in the composition and arrangement, bringing a nice rock edge, but that still surprises. Ahead of its time and impressive. Surprised that the songs didn’t feel too long and actually appreciated the story and journey they went on, with familiar elements to bring you back. And wanting to go straight back and listen to the album again. Something quite infectious about it
ayyy more Post/Punk, my beloved :D 10/10
a step both sideways and forwards from the first blast of punk rock - propulsive, deliberately difficult in places, aloof, singular 4 stars
the album started strong but fell off for me. I generally enjoy post punk and will definitely listen to this album again. It has the potential to grow on me but won't be a favourite. 3.5/10
Not punk enough to be punk, not prog enough to be prog. Truly annoying, nasally vocals and silly keyboards everywhere. Post-punk, I suppose but it winds up sounding like what would happen if Pink Floyd suddenly forgot how to make music. It’s a slog to get through and there’s not a single track I’m dying to hear again.
3+ Stars (9/15)
It seems like a pasticbe of sounds from different genres but somehow manages to sound like punk.
Classic
Post-punk, ok. New wave, not so much. Maybe a bit artsy, but I honestly can't understand the hype.
Begint best wel prima, met meer scheurende gitaren dan waar ik normaal van gediend ben maar wel een soort van funk er nog in? Maar jezus, Recoil is precies wat ik kut vind aan deze muziek. Snel, hard, distorted en echt niet een soort structuur of iets in te herkennen. Wat is dat toch met punk? Is dit punk? geen idee, ik vind het wel herrie. God, echt alles van post punk klinkt voor mij hetzelfde. Dit is ook weer een vol album lang protopostpunk met een zanger die niet echt goed kan zingen, distorted gitaren en vooral lekker snel. ofzo. Ik ben er zo ontzettend klaar mee, hoeveel postpunk albums bestaan er uberhaupt? Het is niet dramatisch ofzo, maar het klinkt voor mij echt allemaal hetzelfde, ik zie er echt niet in wat mensen hier nou zo top aan vinden. Het voelt een beetje als de britpop die we eerder hadden. FAVO: Definitive Gaze,
LOVE / HATE
Great example of 70s punk.
It's great, has enough punk vibe but also much more clever than what came before in terms of musicality. The songs are varied and I'll definitely listen to this again.
WTF why don't I know this, why don't I own this. Well now I do on both accounts. This is a fascinating record, so much going on and sounds so right. 4 Stars
Real Life was a pretty interesting record, I really liked the post-punk blend with art rock, and there's some pretty interesting ideas in it too. I feel they manage to capture that English post-punk vibe really well, while also keeping the album interesting and mixing ideas. It did feel a bit too long, and there were a couple of forgettable songs. My favourites were "Shot by Both Sides" and "Parade".
I’m sure I really enjoyed this album. In fact, if I really try, I can sort of remember half-pogoing around to it in the kitchen; comparing its release dates to those of Television; reading up on the split from Buzzcocks, trying to listen for clues as to why, etc. There were moments – during “Definitive Gaze”, “Shot by Both Sides”, and “Motorcade” especially – that I reflected on how big a miss this had been from my listening life to date. Superb songs that clearly enjoyed their pretensions – but, and this is the sense I got, only in the name of pushing this “punk” thing along a bit. And then, putting the girls to bed, I popped on the album’s closing track, “Parade”. And when I left the bedroom, I encouraged Fleur into the kitchen where I popped on the album’s closing track, “Parade”. And every night since – a couple of weeks now – I’ve popped on the album’s closing track, “Parade”. (Pardon the repetition; like any infatuated subject, just typing the name of my beloved delivers a thrill.) The track hits me in a number of sweet spots – the slowly building opening bass line that reminds me of Stone Roses’ “Adored”; the plaintive vocals and curious lyrics, sounding like a haunted Tim Booth; the goth-inflected feeling of “Night Time” era Killing Joke melding with a sax solo; the guitars, orbiting the action from some phased out, flange-drenched outpost. “Real Life” is an excellent record. Filled to the brim with thoughtful art punk that sounds, all too often, like a window into a time when people actually could make a living from doing things like this – getting each other to move, to sing along, surprising each other with clever tricks. And it’s there that “Parade” really hits me. It’s that feeling that I’m hearing a step out beyond the bounds of what’s accepted and toward something else completely; nothing less than the introduction of a new way to speak. And as it turns out, it’s never too late to hear something like that.
I enjoyed this a lot… though it feels weird. This is also “post-punk” apparently but is very different from the minimal approach of Wire. It has a sort of prog / glam rock / Sparks feel to it. Another one I’ll return to.
Enjoyed… feel like it’s on the list for how it pushed the needle at the time in evolving that genre, good tunes but hard to relate not being there at the time of its initial impact. Potentially revisit.
Never heard this band before. Pretty good sound. More ska than punk. Not impressed enough to listen again.
More complex than most punk which was cool to hear, but probably not something I’d listen to again. The guitar solo on the alternate “shot by both sides” was awesome.
So so
Unfortunately, nothing of real interest on this album. Didn’t do anything for me. Didn’t keep it in the library.
Dave Formula's scooby doo keyboards don't always hit the spot, but there are enough good songs to call this an enjoyable experience!
Zaczynają mi się zlewać te wszystkie zespoły postpunkowe, ale ten ma na tyle dziwny i interesujący wokal, że nawet się wybija. Ma w sobie coś takiego surrealistycznego i mrocznego ta płyta. Podoba mi się to. 7/10
I was lucky when a was 13 (1979) that my best mate had a decent hi fi system but more importantly an older brother who would bring home stuff like this for us to listen to. Talk about broadening your horizons, I was listening to ELO and 10cc at the time! Absolute peach of an album.
3.5 stars. Upbeat post-punk debut album led by former Buzzcocks front man. Synth used well with guitar solos. Especially evident in leadoff "Definitive Gaze". Varied sound track to track, seems ahead of it's time (1978).
Old School, this was pretty fantastic and very much late 70's early 80s style
i liked it
4.0 - Very Good
Great!!
This record feels ahead of its time coming out in 78. I love the weird post punk sound. The vocals were fun and I really loved the instrumentation.
One of the things I love about punk music is that almost immediately after the first wave of punk, these guys all took the ethos of the genre and starting pushing the movement in different progressive directions. Its happened time and time again from Ian McKay (Minor Threat > Fugazi) to Tom Delonge (blink-182 > Angels and Airwaves). This record feels like one of the early transition points that took the genre new places. I'm not sure that every song totally works or is the best, but I love how it takes that punchy aggressive punk sound and adds in different instruments and movements in each song. It has a lot of energy behind it.
I couldn't do it, I really tried, but it's utter garbage. I made it to about 30 seconds of track 4 before pulling the plug.
Full of Indy pop bliss
Nice mix of punk and new wave
Mucho menos importante que, digamos, Marquee Moon de Television, pero ha sido un descubrimiento en el mismo sentido para mí. No tenía idea de su existencia y me he encontrado con un disco que puedo volver a escuchar inmediatamente.
Punk sound and attitude at a slower, more introspective pace, which I guess is typical post-punk. This is pretty strong with some good guitar. Best song: Burst
really liked this. some of it was familiar but i can't think of from where. in my wheelhouse for sure.
this was fun on the tracks that didn't sound like circus music
this was surprisingly enjoyable!
Fine?? I think I've listened to this artist before
2,5
Fun album. I don’t think it’ll be in heavy rotation, but I’m glad I listened
postpunks gothica
Well now this is a bit strange, can remember listening to this yesterday, but cannot remember what it was like at all. Not a good sign. So listened to snippets from several songs, now I'm going to listen to the whole thing again. Let you know what I think later. Was expecting to be awarding a high 3 from the above. And indeed there is a lot to like, but there is just as much not to like, unfortunately. The final track was far and away the best on the album. But in order to keep consistent with other scores I can only give it a 2. But a part of me feels it is just (and only just) worth a 3.
Nothing at all exciting here. Was ok.
There are two absolute stone cold classics on this album;' Shot By Both Sides' and 'The Light Pours Out of Me'. Most of the rest is a bit wild with the keyboards in places for my taste. That's probably why I only listen to those two tracks when I'm in a post punk mood. It's a 2.5 star effort for just those two songs.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1001 ALBUMS- # 45 Real Life fusion of Television & Joy Division for a unique album offering upon the early days of the post-punk sub genre. This one required multiple listens to resonate with me, which is likely why it’s overlooked among the classics. No immediate standout tracks and the pop hooks are layered beneath a medley of rapid instrumentation. 🎧 Classic Track: Shot by Both Sides 🎧 Deep Cut Gem: Recoil 🎧 Personal Favorite: The Light Pours Out of Me It was rather interesting to learn that this album came out right at the onset of the post-punk movement as it’s not nearly as well known with PIL and Joy Division receiving the lions share of the accolades. 🖼️ Album Artwork: Scarily curious Shout out to Barry Adamson on the bass who would later transcend this sound with an extremely unique solo release 10 years late (Moss Side Story which actually eclipses this record!) Hit the Thumbs Up icon below if you enjoyed my take on the album :)
вот оно просто есть и слава богу
point9.
Really enjoyed this one
Just love this one! Played it to death when I first got it and continue playing it ever since.
Not interested.
Pretty bland punk, not exactly exciting. Didn't find any interesting songs in here, and since it's punk it was a bit hard to stomach.
Hit and miss album. Enjoyed the new wave more than the punk. Some real duds were the circus themed “The Great Beautician In The Sky” and “Recoil”. A hit was “Shot By Both Sides” which made me actually stop working to check which song it was. It had a really good riff. When the album is at its best if feels quite like “Blondie”. The album art is atrocious though. They got something, I just wish they leaned more in to the new-wave sound. They are also very early with their sound, surprised me it was released in 1978.
it’s pretty good. there were standouts ofc but the album didn’t do all that much for me. maybe itll change if i listen again idk
4.8/5 Existential Leather Jackets Because this album doesn’t want to comfort you. It wants to poke your brain with a very stylish stick. Howard Devoto isn’t singing—he’s delivering monologues from the inside of a decaying philosophy textbook while the bass player quietly panics.
Haisee heroiinille. Paska laulaja mutta hyvää soittoa
Its biggest crime is it was very boring. Nothing caught my attention.
New Band-Album for me. You can definitely hear how they influenced the post-punk, new wave of more accomplished bands over the next 10 years. Overall, it was a good discovery and listen.
An inoffensive listen but all very samey. Gave up after Recoil so actually not as bearable as I thought.
was not really familiar with this one and didn’t get too much from it. Missing the bite and wit of the Buzzcocks (although Shot by Both Sides is clever. Always fun to listen to these bands with their take on Punk building up to what would be post-punk.
no thanks.
Har sina moments, men tycker inte det är något speciellt
Was pleasantly surprised by this album, from a band I've never heard of, adding several songs to my library. Vocally and lyrically, it goes with the status quo of post-punk, but instrumentally it was very unique and appealing. Close to a 5 Star album, but there are enough ho-hum songs that kept it at 4.
Buzzcocks Lite. Good album. Actually would listen again.
Never heard of them before but I can definitely hear the way they influenced new wave and post-punk. It was interesting to hear but it feels a little unpolished. Shot By Both Sides is a great track though
Nice
Better than your average post punk effort. Shot by Both Sides - love that ascending guitar line. Bass on Recoil is superb.
Hey this ruled! It really real life ruled! First track put its claws in me!
Hey this rocked! Could become a higher rating if I ever remember it exists
never heard of this but it was cool
Exactly what I expected.
This is from 1978? Wow this was clearly lightyears ahead of it's time. I personally also do enjoy a bit of punk, and this album scratches the itch in all the right places. Again, its from 1978. Fantastic. 4/5
Artful, angular, and a little too aloof for me. I admire the mood, but didn’t connect with the message.
I can see why people like it, the sound just isn't for me. Only made it about halfway through, to be fair.
This album has a cool, unique sound. Some great guitar pieces, chugging drums, and spacy synths permeate the tracks. And it still had a pretty punk rock soul. I can see why this album could have been influential to a lot of people in the 70s. The synth in the opening track "Definitive Gaze" reminded me almost of old video game music. I thought "Burst" went on a minute or two too long, but then "Motorcade" picks back up with some cool synth and a big tempo swing and guitar solo. Gotta say, I really hated "The Great Beautician In The Sky" though with its deranged circus-ass sound and the grating vocal delivery was just kinda ugh. The standouts for me were "Definitive Gaze," "Shot By Both Sides," "Motorcade" - this gets so frantic and I love it. This was a cool listen from a band I'd never heard of before. In the end it had a couple tracks I really like and a neat vibe, but I think for me it lands in the average 3 star zone of existence. Some highlights, some lowlights, mostly solid.
Jozo Division Ähnlichkeit
I didn't get much from this, a lot of similar sounding stuff in the list
Some interesting stuff musically. I like the keyboards and synths a lot. I just hate the vocals of this style of music.
train ride to stuttgart
Intriguing music...it's a pretty classic new wave album, although not my favorite. In terms of musicality alone, this album is excellently composed and meticulously produced. Motorcade is a cool song. It is of a high-quality standard that is easily recognizable. However, it is not the kind that I personally prefer. The sounds of the synthesizer are quite pleasant, yet I have no fondness for synthesizers. I can appreciate this album, but I would not claim that it is the one that I would frequently listen to or like. 3.5/5.
Yeah fun! Pretty out there!
I don't know how I haven't heard this before. It's pretty great. Definitely adding this to the library.
Kind of enjoyable. Used to like them back in the day and now they are alright.
A very much enjoyed this post-punk/art album! I saved many of the songs to playlist so I can listen to them again. I would definitely recommend this album to others!
Great album. I think I'd enjoy it even more after another listen
I enjoyed this very much. Reminded me of Bowie and The Clash and it sounds so ahead of its time. Definitely strange, but in all the good ways. Favourite songs: Shot By Both Sides, Motorcade, Parade
This is why I wanted to do this. An album from a band I’ve never heard of. But it is so good. It’s like Bowie meets the stooges. I know that’s iggy pop solo stuff. But it’s more of an amalgamation of Bowie and the stooges. This is one of those albums where you want to check out everything else they’ve done.
Huh. More interesting than other early British punk. Probably won't revisit, though.
1. gaze - 1 2. tulpa - 1.5 3. zhot - 1.5 4. recoil - 1.5 5. burzt - 1 6. motorcade - 1.5 7. zky - 1 8. light - 1 9. parade - 1 10. zhot - 1.5 11. mind - 1 12. touch - 1.5 13. finger - 1
Lots of interesting music on this one. 3.0/5.0: Good
weird and interesting
Another one I haven't heard of but really liked from the beginning. Great synth throughout. Shot by both sides is a good single. Nothing super original here but it's overall pretty solid. I would definitely listen to it again.
Kudt
Please algorithm, I beg of you, give me some good music.
I tried, but the vocals on this were just so bad.
"Real Life" is the debut studio album by English post-punk band Magazine. Post-punk, new wave and art rock are the Wiki-listed genres. That works. The band was formed by ex-Buzzcocks' member Howard Devoto who handles the vocals and guitarist and saxophonist John McGeoch. Other band members included Barry Adamson (bass), Dave Formula (keyboards) and Martin Jackson (drums). The album received critical acclaim and is considered a pioneering post-punk album. Commercially, it reached #29 in the UK. "Definitive Gaze" opens with drums, 1970's-sounding keyboards and a weird, funky bass. The song changes to a more straight-forward rock beat. Devoto with snotty vocals. The song goes back and forth between the weird and straight forward. Good start. The only single "Shot By Both Sides" has an ominous-sounding guitar riff and rhythm. Keyboards in the background. The lyrics appear to be about a political position and discussion where both sides can take shots at him. "Motorcade" takes us on a ride. It's pretty clear it's about the JFK assassination. High-pitched keyboards notes and and a slow and dramatic guitar and rhythm section. The song gains momentum and becomes super fast. A couple chaotic guitar solos. This is more like it. Why not get that roller rink keyboard sound going? It is the 70's. And that's what they do in "The Greatest Beautician in the Sky. A vocal chorus makes this more a rock-pop song. Even though they were contemporaries, Magazine channels their best Joy Division and post-punk in "The Light Pours Out of Me." A song about erasing your sole. A heavy drumbeat and two fuzz-toned guitar solos. These songs are either synth or guitar led. With the sax and keyboards, their sound really reminded me of early Roxy Music. The synth sound is definitely of its late 70's period. At times, they also have an intriguing eerie sound to their music. Elements of rock, new wave and post-punk. That's fine for me and it worked on this album. A recommendation for everyone; I think there's something here that mostly everyone will enjoy.
Yes! Never heard of this band before and I loved this!
Meh
Actually started to enjoy this more than I thought I would.
2.5
I love the guitarwork and keyboards. Very cool album!
I feel a bit harsh on this one. It sounded fine. I've never heard of them. the listening didn't grab me enough to find out more. It's a classic 2.5 rounded down.
Looking back at the albums I had that are labeled under “post punk”, it feels like a mixed genre for me. Outside of Joy Division and one of the Talking Heads albums (it’s not Remain in Light, I didn’t get that album yet. Someday…), I don’t think I’m really a fan. I think that realization came after hearing this album. Truth be told, I can see why some might like it. It’s a fun little romp, being a weird bastard child between punk and new wave. The guitar stuff is really good and it is certainly ahead of its time. But I don’t know, man, I didn’t really get into this one. There’s an ounce of tackiness that make it sound like a Spirit Halloween version of the B-52s. Frankly, I think it comes from the vocals. Punk, from a vocal stand point for me can be mixed. Sometimes I tend to find it annoying and this is one of those cases. It just comes off as a little whiny here. I can respect this album for its influence, and at points, I enjoyed it. But it’s not really my thing. Favorite track: Definitive Gaze Other hits: Burst, Parade, The Light Pours Out Of Me, Shot By Both Sides
I might give it a three, but that’s the stars for albums I don’t mind listening to if they pop up randomly.
new wave legal
new wave proto post punk???? pode mandar pro pai. delicinha demais. embasbacado com a barulhada desses mano. possivelmente ficarei obcecado durante a semana. vamo que vamo.
3.5/5
It had its moments but never jumped into the “I really enjoy this” category
There is entirely too much New Wave music on this list. I did enjoy the guitar work on this album, but I just can't with the British talk-singing thing that was so popular in that era.
Excellent
The vocals are often annoying and out of tune lol. Some wacky sounds. Kind of futuristic. Strange. Bit repetitive. Also the songs are too long.
Not my thing but I can respect that it definitely sounds ahead of its time
I found Magazine like a month ago in my post punk deep dive and am shocked they don’t get talked about more in the same league as the big names. Magazine also highlighted how incredible John McGeogh is. His work with the Banshees is my favorite of theirs as well. Their other albums are pretty good too but think this is their best. How can someone not like Shot by Both Sides? That songs sends you into the stratosphere. Definitely one of the most accessible post punk albums Rating: 4.7
Completely new to me and I like it!
Not bad. Not good. Just meh.
preeetty good
me sorprendio para bien, pero se me hizo largo. 3.5