Reviews (page 4 of 7)
приятно, но чёт вообще ничем не зацепило
Shot By Both Sides - драйвово звучит. Трекич звучит очень знакомо. Басуха так заполняет пространство шикарно, хоть ее и не так ярко слышно. На альбоме ремастере 2007 года есть вариант этого трека single version - он какой-то никакой, очень бледный. My Mind Aint So Open - мясо. Вокал меня здесь меньше всего бесит. Goldfinger - йоуууууу. Агент 67. Звучание разнообразное, музыка очень неплоха. Мне вокал не нравится. Слишком панковский для меня. Но ваще альбом ООООЧЕНЬ приколдэсный, не зря послушал. Накинул бы 4 звезды, но хейтер вокала, поэтому 3. Вот когда в такой манере мужики поют, мне не нравится.
Fine enough, album cover kinda freaks me out
This is a lot more hard rocking than other British post punk stuff I've had in this project. It serves it well. The apathy the vocalist has for sounding good works a lot better when the instruments have attitude, as they do here. I liked this and would listen again.
some interesting sounds, but the overall texture stays pretty constant, and the vocals don't exactly help.
Ihan positiivinen ylläri taas nollaodotuksilla. Mukavasti meni sunnuntain aamupäivä tätä fiilistellessä. Ei nyt kuitenkaan ihan nelkkuun asti
Vähän erikoista ja jännää, muttei ärsyttänytkään.
Ekana posina voi sanoo, että tää on luonut mahiksen Kollaa Kestäälle tehä Syksy -nimisen veisun, on meinaan kova! Ja on toi orkkiskin. Mut kai tää on jotain post-punkin alkutahteja. Sillai se on kyl taas genrenä hyvin hähmänen hahmottaa. Levyn alku on tiukkaa vääntöö ja nelonen on melkein kirjotettu koepaperiin, mutta loppua kohen menee turhan päämäärättömäks ja semmoseks, ettei biisit kuulosta niin loppuun mietityiltä vaan enemmän ”lyyvääs tää naruile ja lähetään imeen binii” -henkisiltä. Vahva kolkki.
Tää oli ihan positiivinen yllätys. Kivaa uuden aallon räimettä. Ehkä oli kyllä parikymmentä minuuttia liian pitkä, mutta ei keskenään malttanut jättää kun katsoin että viimeisenä on Goldfinger ja mietin että noinkohan se on ihan Bond-coveri, ja olihan se. Ja oli muuten levyn paskin biisi. Tuskin tulee tähän enää palattua, mutta ei kyllä myöskään harmittanut tätä kuunnella. Selkee kolmonen.
Bounced off me
Trying to be Bowie.
Television for people who don’t like jazz
Could do without this opening track, but it has it's moments. Shot by Both Sides, some alright melodies. I like the guitar on Burst from 2:13 to 2:38. The Great Beautician in the Sky makes me feel dizzy, like im on a spinning fair ride. The Light Pours Out of Me would be a great live song. Especially if the lead singer needed to leave the band playing while they sneak out the back because they saw someone they in the crowd that they owed money. Ends off with another nausea inducing track. Sure put it on the list. Why not eh!?
Somehow I overlooked this band til now. Good stuff, reminds me a little of a punkier Roxy Music. Motorcade is nice and spooky. Parade is good too: "It's so hot in here: What are they trying to hatch?"
If you want to talk about real life, you should talk to Len Houmous 2.8 3/9 Shot By Both Sides
3.5/5 slightly funky and punky
Very enjoyable almost progressive punk sound. 3.5 stars
"Burst" randomly being the most David Bowie-coded song off this album??
While I liked the music on this one quite a bit, I didn't really care for the vocals. They moved it away from something I would call pretty good and closer to just OK. Still, it was a cool album. I'd be interested to see how it fares on a relisten. Overall: 3.1/5
Review - the highs are highs but the lows are low. I've tried listening to this album a few times and never really figured it out. Very influential based on when it was released. Clearly ahead of it's time. Doing post punk about a year after punk broke. Shit By Both Sides is a great single but not really indicative of the rest of the album. There are some great post punk songs here (post punk is when the atmosphere is gloomy and the bassline is good). But then there's also songs like Parade, which may genuinely be one of the worst songs I've ever heard. I feel I must dock a whole point from this album just for it's presence. A fine album but with a bit more effort into some of the filler songs (or a bit more ruthlessness in deciding what songs to leave behind on the cutting room floor) it could've instead been great. Rating - 6.5/10 Need to hear? YES
Real fine.
I don't think I was in the right mood for this one today, I could see myself getting VERY into it if the planets ever align.
Not what I expected from 1978, in a more cool way. Liked the alt/punk vibe and sound. Much more like what I was listening to a decade later.
I gave it a few playthroughs throughout the day, and while it did get better with each listen, I think it ultimately leans a little more towards noise rock than art rock for my tastes. Both the percussion and lead guitar are a bit overbearing at times, the sax (though thankfully infrequent) is pretty dreadful, and the vocals... yeesh... I appreciate its relevance, though, and I'm glad this project brought it to my attention.
This was interesting enough. Probably something I’d like more with another replay. I do find it a little too messy to give that time and attention.
Full of energy and feeling an album that probably felt dangerous at the time has lost some of its edge over time. I would have loved to be heard this when it was released.
Yeah was OK but like others in this list, despite a couple of replays, there wasn't a song I really latched onto. Not one I'd buy.
Sure-
I had never heard of this band. I did enjoy the album and I wasn’t sure I would. Not sure how I feel about “post punk,” but I enjoyed it and felt the New Wave vibe. I’m glad to have been exposed.
This is actually pretty chill rock. Not bad.
Disappointing album, really. Eh, now that we have brought the essence to light, we have separated those who read my reviews for my aimless babbling from those who, like my professors, who at the end of the check write under a three or at best a shaky four: "What did the writer want to say? ". Nothing much, but plenty of it. Anyway, Real Life is an album that attracts my attention because it is one of the first post-punk albums, the cover looks spectacular, and Shot By Both Sides is an incredibly electrifying song. I somehow hoped that the album would lean more towards punk, considering the previously mentioned song and the previous engagement of the vocalist in the Buzzcocks, but I only got a post, from the post-punk. And it's not even that blood-curdling, scary, punky post-punk like Pop Group, PiL, or Nick Cave, but some futuristic, more conventionally rock-oriented post-punk whose main attraction is Devoto's lyrics, vocal performance, as well as whether you are attracted to improvisation with progressive and even krautrock. Unfortunately, only Devoto's vocal performance could be a passing point for me, the rest is li-la.
A perfectly cromulent album. Neither pulled me in nor pushed me away
Sounds like the Buzzcocks....because apparently it's the original guy that isn't Pete Shelley. Also included a future Banshee. It's ok for the early wave of British punk, but echoes that signature Buzzcocks sound. One cool tune, but that's about it. Otherwise, probably a staple of the genre/era, but dang near 50 years later, it's somewhat unremarkable.
Great stuff front to back
An interesting collection of tunes. The way the songs are presented the vocals and lyrics seem secondary to the instruments being played and oddly enough that doesn’t present a problem. These musicians are talented and produce a lively, upbeat sound. A couple of the songs (e.g- The Great Beautician In The Sky) give off circus vibes but in a creative way. No complaints from me.
Ehhhh
This is a very English album, and very late-70s album. For post-punk this definitely felt like a bridge to New Wave, but I have to say that the Casio Synth was appreciated but a good reminder how far sound quality has come. Some of this sounds like the influence for modern Wizard rock (yep, it’s a thing), with The Great Beautician in the Sky being the best example. Definite Gaze and My Tulips were my favorite tracks here because they felt the most progressive for 1978. I would like to wax poetic more but that’s all I can say about this. Good listen…once.
Random thoughts: * This felt like a bit of a hidden discovery and what I was hoping to find more of out of 1001. * This was like the Stranglers but less pornographic. * There should be a 3.5 for albums like this. I like it more than average but it's not in the very good or classic category. * Shot By Both Sides was a key track but overall I like the constant vibe that was coming off this album. * I could have been swayed to like this as I was listening with the house all to myself. Which means it could have been any album and I would have liked it. * I'll revisit this one again. At least I hope to.
fun album
Favorite track(s): My Tulpa, Shot by Both Sides, The Light Pours Out of Me
Reminds me of the stooges and lou reed and I like pop punk, which this is an early example of. but I need more time to dig into it to go above a 3
"Hey! Is that the new Juno 106 synthesizer?" "Sure is. I'm trying out all the settings." "Maybe one at a time instead of all in one song?" "Hogwash."
Kinda neat brit prog rock
Good post-punk and not mad it’s on the list, but I would rather throw on Gang of Four’s Entertainment! or Pink Flag by Wire.
Meh. Not really what I was in the mood for today. It’s good for what it is I suppose but punk rock is not something I’d typically listen to. (3)
I read the wiki summary of all albums I don’t know before I listen to them. At this point I’m automatically expecting each unknown band to have “English rock band” in the first sentence on its wiki. Every time I see it, I shudder. It’s gotten so repetitive that I’ve gone past the stages of anger, it just makes me chuckle now. So how’s this one? Solid. Probably a little ahead of its time. Moments like the weird patchwork of noises that fade out on "Recoil", or the circusy "Great Beautician in the Sky" which was a personal favorite. The whole album is worth it just to hear the manic 'you can tell me all about it go and tell me all about it' line. Lots of attitude lots of heart. I'm gonna 3 this one but I'll probably kick myself for not giving it more stars in hindsight
Real Life was a bit too experimental for my taste so i dont really vibe with it much. Eso dicho, Shot By Both Sides es sendo palote de cacion, la añadi a mis playlists. Por esa cancion na mas le doy 3/5 al album
Artsy post-punk is not what I was expecting, but it is what I got. It's not that I hate this, but it's done so much better and more interesting way. This is a genre of music that time has not been kind to and it's really showing it's age. One extra point for being one of the forerunners.
Enjoyable Likes: Shot by Both Sides, Burst
Favorite Track: Shot By Both Sides
Ping piss I have no idea
not bad. Post Punk new wave. this album is one of those tranistional album when punk was losing steam and the new wave sound was starting up. i believe this is one of the first new wave type album. it was fine. "Shot by Both Sides" is the most well known song on the album. "Motorcade" and "The Light Pours out of Me" are others that stand out.
It took me a minute to get through the album and actually enjoy it, but once I got used to the unique vibes, it's quite good. 3.5/5
I paused reviewing this for a few days after having read some reviews. Felt I needed to listen a few more times to check if there was something obvious I'd missed. I imagine I could listen a few more times again and it may grow on me a bit more. It's OK and I can see it was influential and so worth listening to, but this isn't any better than OK as an album in itself for me
This album is super cool! A lot of like post punk stuff I don’t understand or enjoy because it just seems like weird, subpar poetry with some sucky and quirky instrumental but I was rockin out to this
This album gives me circus vibes in a weird punk way. I almost certainly won't be returning to this album but it wasn't terrible.
Shot by both sides is great. The rest I wanted to like but failed
OK, but I'm glad that post-punk didn't stagnate at this level. ★★★
More tolerable than most post-punk on this list.
I was really grooving along to the first track on this album until they started singing. Kinda hope I can find an instrumental, because the music was fun. The vocals are less jarring on other tracks, but overall I'm definitely enjoying the music far more than vocals. I'm listening to the 2007 remastered version which has 'Shot by both sides' twice, and I liked it more on second listen. Possibly something that I'll come back to, but not a fave.
A decent enough listen, but the lyrics seem lazy. Maybe it’s just punk nonchalance, but that’s my take.
Gut! Vocals mag ich nicht immer.
i like this fine - kind of giallo vibes sometimes so i have to rate it
This is proto-everything-I-love… but I don’t connect to it. I honestly don’t know why. Maybe it was just not the moment for me to hear it? Maybe it was the vocals? They’re eclectic and unique. I usually like that, right? Who knows. It just wasn’t for me but I respect it in the pantheon of music.
dobar album.
This album is alright, nothing too exciting, it was fine just leaving it in the background, and all songs were pretty similar-sounding, but I don't know if this was super popular because it was released fairly recently. It would've been a lot more popular maybe a couple of decades earlier, but it's okay.
I don't really have much to say about this album in particular; it's one of, if not the first, British post-punk albums and that alone warrants its placement on this list. What I find more interesting, in a broad sense, is the web of connections between artists that you discover through the course of doing a project such as this. This band helps create a connective tissue between Buzzcocks, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Siouxie and the Banshees, and probably other acts. This is just an example of the links that one can find through this project.
Noisy
Clever lyrics, good melodies, good music but for me it was sometimes derailed by annoying repitition (lyrics, electronic sounds) 3
gostei de algumas mas algumas lost the plot
Reminds me of The Clash a bit, but nowhere near as good. Reasonably enjoyable.
Solid post-punk rock, catchy, fun hooks.
This album is a real mixed bag for me. It really jumps the gamut as far as post-punk goes. Some more straight punk type stuff, some more goth rock type stuff (Like Motorcade), some weird 70's post-punk type stuff like David Bowie and Iggy Pop were doing. Overall, it's better than most 70's post-punk I've listened to (Especially the aforementioned Motorcade), but with the quality IMO being pretty hit and miss, it's not doing a ton for me personally.
Couple of good songs - Shot by both sides is fun
decent
Hele albummet har samme vibe som "should i stay or should i go" med The Clash. Er ikke altid til punk, men det her går lige an. Synes det havde highlights, fx åbningsnummeret
It does a good job of being more good than interesting. The most important metric of albums on this list.
Had never heard of this band. Not bad. I appreciate their energy. They don’t sound like everybody else. The vocalist’s tendency to over-enunciate when wanting to be dramatic is a bit annoying. But using 3/4 time is a nice touch (The great Beautician in the Sky)- sounds like a punk waltz with a bit of merry-go-round music thrown in. I’m not saying this is one of my favorite albums, but at over 700 albums in, it’s nice to hear something with originality.
Pleasantly surprised by how engaging and unique this sounded. Seamlessly fusing new wave and punk with a gentle dash of reggae. I wont call this a tastemakers choice but someone out there definitely likes this album more than most. But even if I fall in that camp I'm glad this expanded my knowledge of the genre.
Similar feels to Pink Floyd , more punk… the 70s were wild
2/3. Listened through this one twice since I didn’t give it a fair shake the first time, and ended up liking it quite a bit. I’m not sure if it’s just the synth sounds (is that an ARP Pro Soloist?) that call back to a lot of prog for me, but this sounds like a unique fusion of prog musicality and instrumentation with punk energy. Pretty cool.
This was alright
I'm not a big fan of punk but I can understand the appeal. This album wasn't anything amazing. "Shot from both sides" was a good listen
Based on the description and Wikipedia I thought I would really like this but it really didn’t catch my ear - a little too synth-y or prog rock or something that just isn’t very me - has me thinking what is post punk
Not terrible, but a bit too much New-Wavey for me. Really the turning point in the punk movement. 6/10
pretty neat
this album is pretty cool. lots going on here and only a couple boring tracks. this time period is a huge blind spot for me so this was cool to listen to
good
Best Song: Burst The best way to describe this is, not noteworthy. It isn't terrible or anything, it is just nothing memorable. It sounds like your standard pre-New Wave that was creeping up around this time. I have made it no secret I don't like New Wave so pre-New Wave that hasn't gone full New Wave doesn't get a pass. 3/5.
This would be awesome if the lead singer could carry a tune. It’s mostly very good during solos and instrumental sections, but the weak vocals hold it back. Doesn’t end well either - I was turned off by “Parade”.
Motorcade and Shot from both sides - fantastic. The Goldfinger cover made me laugh. Not sure I’ll listen to the album again - I wasn’t that wowed by it but it was very fun.
I was strangely captivated by this. Initially, the attitude — mostly in the lead vocal — made me wary, but I settled into the aesthetic and found myself engaged. Seemed less out to prove anything and more self-assured than I expected.
There was definitely some cool music here, at moments reminding me of Roxy Music, though the singer bothered me. He has a little bit of Robyn Hitchcock's nasally snarl but without the charisma.
This didn't register with me. I listened and have nothing of note
The man with the hotdog sells lemonade, someone over there needs first aid, you live and learn, and you have no choice
Good shit
Pretty good
I have listened to "Shot by Both Sides" many times, but never to the whole album. "Definitive Gaze" and "My Tulpa" where great discoveries, two energetic and inventive songs with great bass lines. The rest of the album has good moments but, for me, it is not on par with the first three songs. 3.75/5
Feels like a Ramones cover band
2.7.
Ill probably need to have it a second listen before I get to a conclusion bc it seemed like smtg id usually enjoy... it just didnt struck me this first time
Fine
Liked it, only about halfway through will have to go back 3.6 stars 6.9/10
Was too young for this when released. Heard of them (and Devoto / Barry Adamson) but not explored. Opening Synth heavy track was catchy. Shot By Both Sides sounded like a Stranglers song. Recoil is a less tuneful edgier Buzzcocks. Then much more post punk artsy Burst and Motorcade. A bit different overall with some mildly interesting or weird experimentation - e.g. Fairground intro and annoying intonation in Great Beautician track. The Light Pours Out of Me was decent - a bit goth like. Overall not quite enough for a 4 for me.
Apparently this is my 13th postpunk album out of 183. That seems like altogether far too many. The best parts of this album reminded me of Midnight Oil (who apparently aren't represented in this list...how can we sleep while this injustice goes unrectified?). The worse parts of this album just reminded me that this wasn't Midnight Oil. I still don't know what postpunk is, but based on my ratings, one unifying characteristic of postpunk albums is that if Brian Eno wasn't involved in their production I will distain them. Anyway, this album was pretty good!
Pretty good! 3.5/5
it was ok
Post punk art rock. OK. 3/5
This was decent arty punk but nothing mindblowing
Quite enjoyed this one, and it would have scored higher if not for the pretty awful vocals. The actual music was really good and better than I expected, as I'm usually not a fan of post-punk stuff. 2.5/5
Didn't have a long listen, seemed interesting, but sounded uncomfortable at times.
Some more of that late '70s turn-of-the-decade wacky experimentalism, cool and enough to be enjoyed for a listen
Very much a mixed bag of some great songs and some that felt a bit underwhelming.
This one's pretty decent overall. It doesn't sound like the 70's (not that the 70's necessarily sound bad, it just feels ahead of its time). It's got some cool tracks but a few are weaker. There's some really great guitar motifs. Favorite tracks: "Burst," "The Light Pours Out of Me"
This album will take some time to get into, I think. Even though Shot By Both Sides is a fantastic song, I prefer Devoto’s work with Buzzcocks,
nice enough
pretty listenable. wiki mentions this as one of the first post-punk new wave albums. i dont hate it.
Distinct for its time, bud does not age well
This is not for me
Eccentric post-punk. Not really for me, but not bad either.
Like it, can't see me relistening often. But glad it found me.
twas aight
I've never listened to this album (66). Closer to punk than post-punk, which is always a good thing.
seems like the post-punk classic but it was just okay to me.
I feel like if I had listened to this on a different day I might put it in the 4-5 range, but today I found the vocals annoying and I couldn't always vibe with the music. But again, I think I'm just not in the mood to fully appreciate this record today. 2.7
Not unenjoyable - worth another listen
I love British post punk, but this was just kinda "meh"
3.0 (41:24, 9 tracks in original 1978 format (couldn't find), 13 in the 2007 remastered, debut album) Basically, Magazine is spinoff after the Buzzcocks broke up - Howard Devoto created a more progressive sound now known as "post-punk" (then new wave or artistic rock). They released only 3 albums before breaking up in 1981 and the lead guitarist forming another spin off Siouxsie and the Banshees, Deveto formed a less successful solo project.) Better in headphones. I have to respect how groundbreaking this was at the time as the 'post punk' genre had not been invented yet but overall there wasn't anything I loved. I'd listen to it again.
No es un mal álbum para nada, puedo guardarme alguna canción para el futuro
A really interesting record, released between punk and the rise of post-punk. _Pre-post-punk?_ Art house gets a bad press when it comes to music. But Real Life shows that it needn't be up its own arse. Shot By Both Sides amplifies the fucked by left and right message throughout. No future, etc.
Never heard this (or heard of it) before. Probably not a good sign than I thought they were German. I've heard worse though, tbh.
Sharp choppy wiry punk. Exciting. The light Pours Out Of Me is God Tier.
Never heard of this band - but was excited to see they are an offshoot of the Buzzcocks. That first riff hooked me - it's rad !!! As it went on it was ok ... not earth shattering but pleasantly different
Some of it was kinda cool. Was hoping to enjoy it a bit more.
Had they know print media would be dying in a few decades time, do you think they’d have chosen a different name?
Some songs I liked, some I was hoping would be over soon. Reminds me of the Clash.
As far as art rock goes, it wasn't bad I guess. I didn't have strong feelings one way or the other.
This isn't what I wanted to start my Monday morning with. If this were Friday afternoon I'd probably have liked them more. Very reminiscent of The Damned.
Rv
A little Bowie-esque at times
This one feels halloween-y! Love the harpsichord ish synths and sort of goth-wave stylings. I can't describe it well, but there's something a little bit musical theater about it too. Like in the song "Parade."
Du rock
I enjoyed this. Some bangers. It's the baseline of what I enjoy but doesn't fully scratch an itch. 3.5* in reality
Great stuff, I want to buy a synth now
Not my favourite, but it did sound good.
I quite liked the guitar lines on this
Completely bounced off me and sounded like so much else I've already heard here.
Shot by Both Sides, Motorcade, Light Pours Out of Me were all saved, great songs. Rest were fine. Will return to those songs but not the album.
pretty good
I thought I had never heard of this band. Until 'Shot By Both Sides' came on. Ah yes I remember that. I wonder why they didn't break into the bigtime because a lot of this album is really good. Though it kinda loses its way towards the end. Solid.
I like it. It’s unusual and loud. But it actually makes you feel something when listening to it. That’s pretty special. I feel like there’s so many similar albums that have tried so hard to achieve the meaning and sense of direction that this album has, that have simply just created a meaningless mess of melodies they haven’t bothered to turn into a proper song and stupid spat out lyrics and titles that are trying to make them seem poetical and listening to them just annoys you. But this album is good.
I understand where this comes from and where it's going, but it's a style that's just not for me. Great energy, fun guitar licks, but the vocals kill it. There's nothing happening here that The Clash doesn't do better.
Cool sound thought it was going to be way duller
I had no clue what to think heading into this album, and I was impressed. It started off strong and tasteful with the first couple tracks (the synth on "Definitive Gaze" was hot), then it just kinda petered down I felt. Didn't hold up on my initial thoughts. All in all, still solid. Just didn't hold up throughout.
Short, sharp and pogoable - just what you want from a punk album
Listenable
i liked it alright
Futuristic pop rock music, sometimes like Talking Heads sometimes a little bit of punk.
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.
fun
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
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.
Bara svona miðlungs
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.
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.
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
Nothing special. Not offensive, not particulary interesting.
Unique sound, psychedelic with good drums.
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
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
This album would be near perfect but for some reason it chose to jump off a bridge by the end.
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
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*.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
I really like Howard Devoto but this album disappointed 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.
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!
3.5 for me, another album I’ll go back to after this is all over.
++: 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
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).
rock-cito
Usually I like punk but I have no idea what this was. It was quite mediocre and boring and drab.
It was oke
Was fun enough, was kinda in the zone with work so didn't standout a lot for me. Will I listen to again: 37%
Thought it was ok post-punk, definitely understand their importance as they are an influence on some of my favorite British bands
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.
★★★½
Pretty good the whole way through except one bad song.
This might be a 4 in truth…
392/1001
This is hard to review, because I never want to hear this again, but there was nothing notably wrong with it.
It got better as it went along
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.
Fun sound and an easy listen.
“The Light Pours Out On Me” is an amazing track.
Not bad, sounds like ADHD hipster stuff.
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.
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.
This was solid
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.
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
3+ Stars (9/15)
It seems like a pasticbe of sounds from different genres but somehow manages to sound like punk.
LOVE / HATE
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".
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
Dave Formula's scooby doo keyboards don't always hit the spot, but there are enough good songs to call this an enjoyable experience!
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).
Full of Indy pop bliss
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
Fine?? I think I've listened to this artist before
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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 :)
point9.
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
Haisee heroiinille. Paska laulaja mutta hyvää soittoa
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.
no thanks.
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
Hey this rocked! Could become a higher rating if I ever remember it exists
never heard of this but it was cool
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.
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.
Kind of enjoyable. Used to like them back in the day and now they are alright.
Huh. More interesting than other early British punk. Probably won't revisit, though.
Lots of interesting music on this one. 3.0/5.0: Good
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
new wave legal
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.
Not my thing but I can respect that it definitely sounds ahead of its time
Completely new to me and I like it!
Not bad. Not good. Just meh.
está bueno, pero siento que no se me quedó tan pegado. aprobado, deberia escucharlo de vuelta.
Really nice early post punk sounds. I really liked it but nothing stood out to me as incredible.
Pretty good! Enjoyable listen, some tasty riffs
definitive gaze- 6 my tulpa- 5 shot by both sides- 5 recoil- 5 burst- 5 motorcade- the great beautician in the sky- the light pours out of me-
Some of this is really weird and interesting. The rest is forgettable.
This is a really interesting album -- a mix of genres (punk, rock, some quieter songs) and tempos. I'm not dying to listen to it again, but I wouldn't mind if I had to. (Tim would give it 2.5 stars.)
Lots of things to love about this record.
This was a new one for me. Post punk and new-wave type stuff has never been my forte but I kinda like what the instruments are doing here. They use lots of good sounds from the keyboards, and the drums especially here are very nice. I just don't understand why it feels like bands like this have to have whiny singers. I know it's "punk" but just actually sing. Other than that this was good, but not spectacular. Favorite Song: Motorcade Least Favorite Song: Definitive Gaze
Kind of a fun late-70s sound, anticipating groups like Shriekback from a few years later (though not nearly as hard rock as that example).
РИП ИТ АП. ЭНД СТАРТ ЭГЭН! Лучшая песня - Shot By Both Sides.
I need to give this a few more listens to come to a conclusion 🤔
Really wanted to click with this more, given the huge praise this gets from Johnny Greenwood and how influential they are on Radiohead. Maybe it will after a few more listens. 5 stars for the artwork though
Really enjoyed this
Enjoyed this. I say this a lot about this genre but this sounds a long way ahead of its time. Id never heard of these at all but they were clearly influential reading up on them. Probably not enough for me to keep coming back, but good nonetheless. Strong 3.5
Had never heard of magazine I don't think although I think I recognised "the light pours out of me". Probably the best track too. I did think this was alright, but didn't fully grab me. 3
Not quite punk, not quite rock. But it still doesn’t capture me.
A little too much energy for me
Average album. The voice is grating sometime. The major part of the album is forgettable but I kind of enjoyed it. Would revisit it in the future The light pours out of me
Alkupuolella vallan meneviä biisejä, on oikeasti mietitte melodiat ja kirjoitettu lähes popia. Ja täällähän oli Syksy etsii mua! B-puolella annetaan mennä kunnolla gootiksi, biisien imu kyllä valitettavasti katoaa.
Perfectly fine sneery art punk
So much good and interesting happening in this album. I can't explain why I don't love it. I enjoy the band so much and I don't hate the vocals but something in the vibe just isn't quite my sweet spot. A little more fun, a little less swagger, I don't know, some little tweak and this would be a new fave. I do think it should be on this list and I'm not sorry about the time I spent with it.
Niet megabijzonder, maar opzich wel lekker. Would listen again.
The experience of listening to this album was like being tied to a chair and forced to witness some sort of macabre circus act. Every track somehow gave evil carnie, and that's not a wholly bad thing. I liked the bass lines, and I bounced around between a four and a three, but I'm giving it a three because it didn't hold me for the entire hour, and the vocals were too slurry for me to make out. They were just on the edge of comprehension, and that annoyed me.
Ok, but not my first or second choice.
This is decent but possibly only because I generally dig post-punk. There are a couple of standout tracks among several forgettable ones.
Solid punk album, I think the first 3rd could have been cut, it was a bit long with not a ton of variety, but I think the back 2/3rds were solid.
Circusy feel
fine but forgettable
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Solid album new wave and punk elements
It's fine, but I feel like the author's UK bias really shows in a LOT of the albums he picked for this list. I have no idea why this would be considered a must-listen to album, especially with entire genres of music missing or wildly underrepresented from the entire list.
It was ok
Favorite Track: Shot By Both Sides
2.7 2x 2007 digital remaster 55m
Shot By Both Sides //
A little bit Bowie-ish, I think.
Decent
Totally listenable
This did literally nothing for me. As generic as it comes.