Real Life

An incredible ride of alien-like synth, carnival-esque beliefs, and a downright whimsical yet oppressive nature to the whole album leads to an experience not found on many other big names in the post-punk genre. Its seemingly needless drive to weird out the listener than pull them in with the catchiest of hooks and breakdowns is fantastic, and its only when that purely punk side starts to shine do I lose interest ever so slightly, however that same heavy punk influence from the time in The Buzzcocks leads to an experience that feels sharper than its more dreary contemporaries, and I admire it all the more for it.

Initial listen: I liked it, but wasn’t blown away. In fact, on Motorcade, I was almost distracted by how it sounded like Midnight Oil (who I feel are glaringly omitted on this list). But taking into consideration the year of its release and the artists Magazine influenced—including Radiohead and The Smiths—I started to listen to the album with different ears.

In fact, it predates “London Calling,” “10-1,” and “Drums and Wires.” A lot of the sounds that initially seemed derivative were actually quite the opposite: they were foundational! And given that it was founded by Howard Devoto of seminal punk group Buzzcocks, it seems quite likely that this album is responsible for Post-Punk existing at all!

I gave the album a second listen, and it’s actually so well done—interesting melodic ideas, some polytonal guitar solos, creative instrumentation choices.

Influential, and somehow sounds like post-punk despite being very much mid-punk, but just doesn't grab me the way the best similar records do. The one song that did (last bonus track on the Spotify linked version) is another in the grand tradition of odd-as-hell cover songs - a recurring theme of this list! Very very good, and important, and probably a major leap forward at the time, but falls just short of its fifth star in my view.

Está claro que es un album que inspiró a muchos después, no solo contemporáneos ya que a veces suena como si fuera parte de Britpop invasion. Shot by both sides, The great beautician y The light pours out of me.

Never mind the Buzzcocks, here's another post-punk, new wave, arty power rock band... This surprisingly hit me just right.

What a delightful album. Glad I discovered this so far in my life.
The new wave, rock & post-punk started here it feels. Some songs come straight from the punk (Shot By Both Sides, Recoil) and others are proto new wave.
Getting better with every listen.

Update after full listen 3: Also great lyrics

Wasn't really feeling this one.

Great. Love "Shot by Both Sides." Definitely feel that nihilism and how it rubbed off on bands such as the Manic Street Preachers and Mansun.

Never heard of Magazine before today, and apparently it was for good reason. This was a weird album.

Magazine is a new wave/post punk band from the UK, formed by Howard Devoto of the Buzzcocks.

Howard can't sing for shit, the music feels Unfinished and lyrics are nonsensical.

Not a big fan of this band or album. Definately won't listen again.

Favourite song: Shot by Both Sides, My Tulpa

Least favourite songs: The Great Beautician in the Sky, Burst, The Light Pours Out Of Me, Motorcade, Parade

2/5

Up there with Wire as far as post punk pioneers go. I enjoy everything about their sound.

Decent album, glad I listened but not sure it will make my regular rotation.