Jerky Versions of the Dream
Encyclopedia
Jerky Versions of the Dream is the only solo album recorded by Howard Devoto, 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.
. 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.
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.
except where noted.
Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
and Magazine
Magazine (band)
Magazine are an English post-punk group active from 1977 to 1981, then reformed in 2009. Their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", is now acknowledged as a classic and their debut album, Real Life, is still widely admired as one of the greatest albums of all time...
. 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 MagazineMagazine (band)
Magazine are an English post-punk group active from 1977 to 1981, then reformed in 2009. Their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", is now acknowledged as a classic and their debut album, Real Life, is still widely admired as one of the greatest albums of all time...
. Already frustrated by an unsatisfactory string of replacements for guitarist John McGeoch
John McGeoch
John Alexander McGeoch, , was a Scottish guitarist who played with a number of bands of the post-punk era, including Magazine, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Visage and Public Image Ltd....
, Devoto left the group after the pre-album single to Magic, Murder and the Weather
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...
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
Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson is a British rock musician who has worked with rock bands such as Magazine, Visage, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the electronic musicians Pan sonic and Depeche Mode. Adamson created the seven-minute opus "Useless " remix for the latter band in 1997...
. Eventually, Devoto decided to combine the two projects and record a solo album, instead.
Release
The album was released in United States on the I.R.S. label, on 26 July 1983.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
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
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 DevotoHoward Devoto
Howard Devoto is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter, who began his career as the frontman for the punk band Buzzcocks, but then left to form Magazine, one of the first post-punk bands...
except where noted.
- "Cold Imagination" – 4:21
- "Topless" – 3:47 (Devoto, Dave FormulaDave FormulaDave Formula, , is an English keyboardist and film-soundtrack composer from Manchester, who played with the post-punk band Magazine, and New Romantic ensemble Visage during the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s and in the "world music" band The Angel Brothers.-Early Years and St...
) - "Rainy Season" – 5:06
- "I Admire You" – 5:15
- "Way Out of Shape" – 3:55
- "Some Will Pay (For What Others Pay To Avoid)" – 3:44 (Devoto, Formula)
- "Waiting For A Train" – 4:53
- "Out Of Shape With Me" – 4:14
- "Taking Over Heaven" – 3:57
- "Seeing Is Believing" – 3:19
Bonus tracks
- "Rainy Season" (7" Single Version) – 3:40
- "Rainforest" (Variation N16) – 5:12
- "Cold Imagination" (Extended Version)" - 5:08
- "Cold Imagination (BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
Peel Session Version) - 4:33 - "Topless" (BBC Radio 1 Peel Session Version) - 3:39 (Devoto, Formula)
- "Some Will Pay (For What Others Pay To Avoid)" (BBC Radio 1 Peel Session version) -3:52 (Devoto, Formula)
Personnel
- Howard DevotoHoward DevotoHoward Devoto is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter, who began his career as the frontman for the punk band Buzzcocks, but then left to form Magazine, one of the first post-punk bands...
- lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, arrangement - Dave FormulaDave FormulaDave Formula, , is an English keyboardist and film-soundtrack composer from Manchester, who played with the post-punk band Magazine, and New Romantic ensemble Visage during the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s and in the "world music" band The Angel Brothers.-Early Years and St...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, arrangement - Alan St Clair - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Martin Heath - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Pat Ahern - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Gary BarnacleGary BarnacleGary Barnacle is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work Gary Barnacle (born 1959, Dover, England) is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work...
- saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... - Andy DiagramAndy DiagramAndy Diagram is a British musician and trumpet player. He has worked with the instrument in a variety bands and contexts ranging from pop and rock to experimental jazz, art rock and dance music...
- trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air... - Penelope HoustonPenelope HoustonPenelope Houston is an American singer-songwriter best known as the singer for the San Francisco-based punk rock band The Avengers. She was raised in Seattle. In the mid-1970s she attended Fairhaven College in Bellingham, Washington...
- backing vocals - Pamela Kifer - backing vocals
- Laura Teresa - backing vocals
- Leroy James - additional guitar
- Greg Walsh - producer