Real Life

Introduction

This is a short series of stories based on stories shared with me by Vocal friends. The seventh one is Reality of Life from Fanny Joseph

For this, I am going to review the album “Real Life” by the band Magazine. The band's leader is Howard Devoto who was originally with the Buzzcocks in their “Spiral Scratch” phase and left to form his new band. Both the Buzzcocks went on to produce some incredible music. Two early songs were written by Devoto and Pete Shelley who became the de facto leader of the Buzzcocks.

Devoto wrote all the lyrics and most of the songs on the album were written with guitarist John McGeoch. So without further ado, we will drop into this post-punk masterpiece, and for a debut album that is very impressive.

Real Life by Magazine.

Definitive Gaze - Howard Devoto, John McGeoch 4:25

Just a stunning opener, spacey, ethereal and McGeoch’s guitar, an electronic motif and the jumping bass are an amazing backing for Devoto’s threatening words.

My Tulpa - Howard Devoto, John McGeoch 4:47

A Tulpa is a being or object that is created in the imagination by visualization techniques such as in Tibetan mysticism. This is framed in electronic sound and Howard Devoto gives voice to his Tulpa..

Shot By Both Sides - Howard Devoto, Pete Shelley 4:01

This was the first single from the album and used Pete Shelley’s riff from The Buzzcock’s “Lipstick”. I played this in my first band, The Bok, and loved that rising guitar riff. Still an absolute favourite of mine.

Recoil - Howard Devoto, John McGeoch 2:50

Coming in with a manic almost Joy Division drum meat overlaid with guitars and electronics. Fast enough for punks to pogo to. Joy Division and Magazine were both Manchester-based so that may explain why I saw a similarity.

Burst - Howard Devoto 5:00

This one was a Devoto solo effort but McGeoch’s guitar dominates the introduction. before Howard joins in and the band become ponderous and threatening. This was the closer to side one of the vinyl album and leaves you wanting to hear more.

Motorcade - Howard Devoto, Bob Dickinson 5:41

This opened the vinyl side two and the keyboard slowly draws you in with shades of Erik Satie before McGeoch’s guitar takes hold and the Magazine Motorcade continues on stopping for nothing, changing the speed at will giving John McGeoch lots of opportunities to show off his amazing guitar sound.

The Great Beautician In The Sky - Devoto, McGeoch 4:56

This is almost Brechtian and a perfect foil for Devoto’s voice. I didn’t expect this almost vicious Oompah based rhythm but you don’t want to skip this.

The Light Pours Out Of Me - Devoto, McGeoch, Shelley 4:36

Again this just rolls over anything in its path, driven by an awesome five-note guitar riff and Howard's voice as threatening as ever. I wonder if the riff was Shelley or McGeoch.

Parade - Barry Adamson, Dave Formula 5:08

Bob Dickinson co-composer of the wonderful “Motorcade” was asked to leave and replaced with Dave Formula who composed this with bassist Dave Formula. It is much lighter than the rest of the album but Devoto’s threatening vocals still keep you on edge, but a great closer to the album.

Concluding Real Life

A stunning album, that is always welcome on my turntable or digital player. The band went on to make many more great albums but this was a brilliant entry to the scene and another great band from Manchester.