Magic, Murder and the Weather

Occupation

Studios

  • Recording: Trident Studio, London
  • Blend: Strawberry Studio, Stockport

Magic, Murder and the Weather is the fourth studio album by British post-punk band Magazine. The album was released in May 1981 by Virgin Records. Shortly before the release announced Howard Devoto, that he would leave the band. Magazine broke up then and found in 2008 together again, but without the late John McGeoch 2004.

Formation

After the tour for The Correct Use of Soap in the summer of 1980, guitarist John McGeoch left the band and joined Siouxsie & the Banshees on. For the upcoming autumn concerts a world tour, the band Robin Simon could undertake as a guitarist who had gotten out in March 1979 with Ultravox. Devoto Simon knew from his time at Neo, who were in 1978 occurred in the opening act of magazines. With Simon Magazine completed in August several concerts in the United States and in September a number of concerts in Asia and Australia.

For the live album Play an appearance at the Festival Hall in Melbourne, Australia, recorded on September 6, 1980. Play was released just before Christmas of the same year. Simon imitated McGeochs style to reveal their way, however, is represented at a studio recording of the band. In December 1980, he left the band due to artistic differences. Nevertheless magazines were again working on new titles.

Mid- April 1981 the band gave in an interview for the NME in the Trident Studios announced that they. Together with sound engineer John Brand, who is also responsible for the recording of Play and the live album co-produced, worked on a new album As a new guitarist Ben Mandelson, a school friend of Devoto was at Bolton College presented. Mandelson headed to the new material in and on the viola. In order to make the sound more cohesive, Martin Hannett was committed to the mix. He mixed the album at Strawberry Studios in Stockport.

Even during the recording sessions Devoto was in the band announced his resignation. Early in May, the single About the Weather the two tracks in the Dark and The Operative released as a maxi me as a B- side, but did not succeed in the UK British Top 40 in late May were Devoto his departure in an interview with the NME officially known. The album was released in June 1981.

Title list

In a 2007 remastered edition are also the title is not used on the album the title used for the B-side of About the Weather:

The two tracks are mixed not by Hannett, but from magazines and Andy Lewellyn.

Vinyl Cover

The cover contains an alienation of black and white photographs by American photographer Bruce Gilden and is decorated in pink tones.

Publication and chart positions

Virgin Records released Magic, Murder and the Weather in June 1981. The album reached the British album charts in June, reached in the first week with number 39 the best quotation and stayed 3 weeks.

Reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic describes Formulas keyboard playing as cold and brittle and criticized and Devotos song that he only occasionally stands out from the icy mix. He draws the conclusion that Devoto and Magazine had better moments ( "it's clear did Devoto and Magazine Both have had better days" ) and evaluates 2 out of 5 stars.

Magazine (band) Record label Genre Audio mastering LyricWiki
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