Magic, Murder and the Weather

Magic, Murder and the Weather is the fourth album by British post-punk band Magazine, released by Virgin Records in 1981. This was also their only studio album without original guitarist John McGeoch, who had moved to Siouxsie and the Banshees. In his place was ex-Amazorblades guitarist Ben Mandelson (after replacing former Ultravox guitarist Robin Simon, who replaced McGeoch after his quitting).

Months before the album's release, Howard Devoto, disillusioned with the conditions in the band (as in McGeoch quitting, and failing to get a true replacement for him), decided to quit Magazine. Subsequently after the release, Magazine decided to dissolve, because they could not imagine a "post-Devoto" line-up.^[2]

Track listing

All songs by Howard Devoto, Barry Adamson, John Doyle, Dave Formula and Ben Mandelson except where noted.

1. "About the Weather" (Devoto, Formula) – 4:06
2. "So Lucky" (Devoto, Formula) – 4:11
3. "Honeymoon Killers" (Devoto, Adamson, Mandelson) – 3:39
4. "Vigilance" (Devoto, Adamson) – 5:15
5. "Come Alive" (Devoto, Formula) – 3:43
6. "Great Man's Secrets" – 4:57
7. "This Poison" – 4:20
8. "Naked Eye" – 3:30
9. "Suburban Rhonda (Devoto, Formula) – 3:32
10. "Garden" (Devoto, Formula) – 2:39

2007 remastered edition bonus tracks

1. "In The Dark" - 2:43
2. "The Operative" - 2:45

Personnel

• Howard Devoto – vocals, occasional guitar
• Barry Adamson – bass guitar
• Dave Formula – keyboards
• Ben Mandelson – guitar, violin
• John Doyle – drums
• Laura Teresa – backing vocals
• Ray Shell – backing vocals

References