Real Life

Magazine | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Plate Caroline
• ASIN: B000000HZF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,999 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Definitive Gaze

2. My Tulpa

3. Shot by Both Sides

4. Recoil

5. Burst

6. Motorcade

7. The Great Beautician in the Sky

8. The Light Pours out of Me

9. Parade

Editorial Reviews

2007 digitally remastered and expanded edition of the debut album from the Post-Punk band led by former Buzzcocks vocalist Howard Devoto. Originally released in 1978, this reissue now features four bonus tracks: 'Shot By Both Sides' (Alternate Recording), 'My Minds Ain't So Open', 'Touch And Go' and 'Goldfinger'. Virgin. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Former punk rocker plays progressive rock shocker...., December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Life (Audio CD)

There are echoes here of Pink Floyd and Captain Beefheart and maybe a premonition of Joy Division and all being played by a bunch of punk rockers! This was Howard Devoto's first LP after surprising everyone by leaving the Buzzcocks just as they were poised on the brink of great things. In retrospect, the Buzzcocks would never have been as sucessful as they were with Howard's more grating voice and if this was the music he wanted to make there would have been no easy compromise. There is certainly no sign of the Buzzcocks' frenetic guitarwork or fey lovesongs. Instead we have Devoto's distinctive rasp and a band that includes future members of Siouxsie's Banshees, Nick Cave's Bad Seeds and er... Swing Out Sister (!). The highlight is the magnificent "The Light Pours Out Of Me" - the album is essential for this track alone. Maybe not as commercial as The Correct Use of Soap but it's a hard call which is the better place to start listening to Magazine; which you must!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated Genius, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Life (Audio CD)

It's difficult to tell that Real Life is over 20 years as Devoto and co. were years ahead of their time. This debut album from Magazine showed incredible maturity and is filled with top music. Highlights include Definitive Gaze,Shot By Both Sides and The Light Pours Out Of Me. Real Life is a must buy for any lover of good music

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Post-Punk Paranoia At It's Finest, April 2, 1999

By 

Courtney (Jersey City, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Life (Audio CD)

21 years after its release and this album still sends me to places most modern 'rock' couldn't even dream of. howard devoto's bratty drawl evokes an era when it was hip to be anti-establishment and anti-authority, yet his songs drip with a more personal internal melodrama. yes they used synthesizers, yes they were 'prog-rockish' but hey, they were DARK, and they were direct and they were/are magnificent. this was a landmark achievement for british post-punk and i recommend it to anyone who wants to rise above the bland offerings from contemporary british/american slaves to corporate radio. "time flies, time crawls, like an insect, up and down the walls"- i'll have a blast of whatever howard was on.