Search - Magazine :: Rays & Hail 1978-81

Essential Rarities

Sandra Mandelis | 04/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I ordered this CD from HMV a few weeks ago, considering it to be the last addition to my Magazine collection, and as a rarities album, probably the worst. It's not a singles collection, which seems to be a common mistake, it's actually a rarities and b-sides collection. However, now that it's taken up permanent residence in my CD player (having evicted "Correct Use of Soap"), I can see why people would mistake it for a "best of". Many of Magazine's b-sides were more accessible, straightforward punk/funk songs ("Touch and Go", "TV Baby" "Twenty Years Ago"), while the a-sides were more complex, incorporating Magazine's trademark keyboard sound ("Give Me Everything", "Upside Down"). Knowing their entire catalogue, I can safely say that they never recorded a bad song (yes, including the "Magic, Murder and the Weather" era). If you loved all of Magazine's other releases, this is as good as surprisingly finding another LP. If you're just discovering Magazine, try Real Life or Correct Use of Soap first."

Making the Magazine wealthy musiclovers even richer

C. J. Van Hall | Arnhem, The Netherlands | 06/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike somebody else stated here, this is new for a lot of Magazine fans. Not found in such way on any other main 'records' together. I'm a big lover of this still unique band. There's always some impatience and theatricality in the performance of Howard Devoto. So great. Whereas the bass of Barry Adamson is steady, creative, and so beautifully waving through the songs... You also can hear the recognisable guitarsound of the late John Mc Geogh on most tracks aswell. And find the so typically Magazine sound the lucky live catchers can still remember. I saw them at the 7th June of 1980 in my hometown and was deeply impressed and thrown over by it. And I was in very good company with friends, who experienced exactly the same then.



This cd cover some B-sides aswell. But it's still good listening and a thrill. Again and again. Play it as much as you like. Magazine is a gut experience and it won't leave you. I could say that during the last 25+ years. Amazing. I would have agreed with people saying at the time, that Magazine/Devoto thrill is forever. Trying to explain you that now again. Ofcourse there are favourites like 'Touch and Go', 'Give me Everything', 'I love you Big Dummy'(from earlier Buzzcock/Spiral Scratch appearance and written by Don van Vliet, Capt. Beefheart), 'Twenty Years ago' plus the more than interesting Live contributions of sacred beauty, songs of the first two studio albums.



It was a great pleasure to find this Scree here on amazon. Internet does give life better quality. Lovely..."

Get "Where the Power is" instead

musicholic | Detroit MI USA | 03/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"2nd best compilation of a great band. Slightly better lineup on "where the power is", though both have a lot of the same songs. A great band far ahead of it's time."