Jerky Versions of the Dream

Jerky Versions of the Dream
Studio album by Howard Devoto
Released 26 July 1983 (US)
Recorded 1982/1983
Genre Post-punk
Length 42:24
Label Virgin Records (Europe)
I.R.S. (US)
Producer Howard Devoto, Greg Walsh
Howard Devoto chronology

Magic, Murder and the Weather (with Magazine)
(1981)		 Jerky Versions of the Dream
(1983)		 Unanswerable Lust (with Luxuria)
(1988)
Singles from Jerky Versions of the Dream
  1. "Rainy Season" b/w "Rainforest (Variation N16)"
    Released: June 1983
  2. "Cold Imagination" b/w "Out Of Shape With Me"
    Released: August 1983

Jerky Versions of the Dream is the only solo album recorded by Howard Devoto, the original singer of Buzzcocks and Magazine. It was his only studio album, which was released at the time with two singles, "Cold Imagination" and "Rainy Season", being a short-lived solo career for Devoto, who in 1986, went to form a band alongside guitarist Noko, which later was named Luxuria.

Recording

The process of Devoto's solo album began, shortly after the demise of Magazine. Already frustrated by an unsatisfactory string of replacements for guitarist John McGeoch, Devoto left the group after the pre-album single to Magic, Murder and the Weather had failed to chart. Devoto started to write songs during 1982, later making a demo with guitarist Alan St Clair and a drum machine. He also started working with his former Magazine bandmate Barry Adamson. Eventually, Devoto decided to combine the two projects and record a solo album, instead.

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]

The album was released in United States on the I.R.S. label, on 26 July 1983.[2][3]

The first single to be released from the album was "Rainy Season", which was considered by many to be a stand-out track. The song's video was heavily rotated on MTV. On the release of the album it peaked at #57, on the UK album chart. It was eagerly anticipated and widely received by amazing reviews. A subsequent tour in Europe, the United States, and Canada was full of sold out crowds. However, the album's second single, "Cold Imagination", failed to chart as well, and Devoto's solo career was put on hold.

Track listing

All songs written by Howard Devoto except where noted.

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Cold Imagination"    4:21
2. "Topless"  Devoto, Dave Formula 3:47
3. "Rainy Season"    5:06
4. "I Admire You"    5:15
5. "Way Out of Shape"    3:55
6. "Some Will Pay (For What Others Pay To Avoid)"  Devoto, Formula 3:44
7. "Waiting For A Train"    4:53
8. "Out Of Shape With Me"    4:14
9. "Taking Over Heaven"    3:57
10. "Seeing Is Believing"    3:19
2007 remastered edition bonus tracks
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
11. "Rainy Season" (7" Single Version)  3:40
12. "Rainforest (Variation N16)"    5:12
13. "Cold Imagination" (Extended Version)  5:08
14. "Cold Imagination" (BBC Radio 1 Peel Session Version)  4:33
15. "Topless" (BBC Radio 1 Peel Session Version)Devoto, Formula 3:39
16. "Some Will Pay (For What Others Pay To Avoid)" (BBC Radio 1 Peel Session version)Devoto, Formula 3:52

Personnel

Chart positions

Album
Chart (1983) Peak
position
UK Album Chart[4] 57
Singles
Single Chart (1983) Position
"Rainy Season" UK Singles Chart[4] 97

References

  1. ↑ "Jerky Versions of the Dream - Howard Devoto | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Howard Devoto - Jerky Versions Of The Dream (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Chart Stats - Howard Devoto". chartstats.com. Retrieved 2014-06-30.