Review Summary: A mixed bag compilation that became the center of a legal battle between Heart & Mushroom records.
In 1977, Heart parted ways with Mushroom Records, but were still obligated to deliver one more album under the deal they’d originally signed. While the band was finishing LITTLE QUEEN for CBS, Mushroom Records compiled this hodgepodge of tracks that was to become MAGAZINE. 5 of these songs were unfinished studio recordings from 1976, along with a b-side and live cuts from a 1975 show in Seattle. The disclaimer on the original 1977 release admitted that this album was essentially a record company sanctioned bootleg that was released without the band’s input or blessings.
The first version of MAGAZINE was briefly issued in April 1977, beating LITTLE QUEEN to the record shelves by several weeks. Heart filed a legal injunction and MAGAZINE was pulled back, but not before 50,000 copies were sold. This original version of the album has somewhat poorer sound quality and contains performances that the band never would have approved.
Heart’s compromise was to re-record their tracks in Seattle in March of 1978 for a 2nd release that would satisfy their contractual obligations. The band’s performances are decidedly stronger and far more polished sounding. Even the live tracks were edited some to remove some of their more glaring shortcomings. The track sequencing was also altered slightly and works somewhat better than the original.
While MAGAZINE was obviously a compilation album, it was marketed as a proper studio record since it featured previously unreleased material. However, the studio tracks for the 1st edition were essentially demos with some early live material tacked on to the end of the record. The most noteworthy new song was “Heartless”, a claws out hard rocker with a distinctively funky bass line during the verses. Lyrically, it possessed some of the same venom that made “Barracuda” such a great song. “Heartless” reached #24 on the U.S. Billboard pop charts and has remained an FM radio staple and fan favorite since its original release.
“Devil Delight” is a slow burning blues/hard rock hybrid that borrows a bit that “When The Levee Breaks” groove. This was also a new song and a staple of their live set between 1976 and 1977.
The mood of the album changes abruptly with the acoustic guitar, orchestral strings & flute of the sweetly mellow “Just The Wine”. Their cover of Badfinger’s “Without You” is a nice showcase for Ann, but seems oddly out of place here.
Side B begins with the title track “Magazine”, a less appreciated gem which flows gracefully with its varied instrumentation. The lyrics are also nicely illustrative. “Here Song” is a promising, but all too brief flute & acoustic number which captures some of that “Battle Of Evermore” vibe. “Mother Earth” is a very slow and understated blues shuffle featuring a very Plant-like blues harp solo from Nancy Wilson. This song segues appropriately into a cover of “You Shook Me”. It’s a nice nod to their idols, but certainly not as chill inducing as the Zeppelin rendition. Ending the album on a rather oddly Pop note is the live cover of “I’ve Got The Music In Me”.
MAGAZINE’s is decidedly an ill conceived collection of songs that might leave casual fans a little confused. When considered for its historic interest, the album does provide devoted fans a nice opportunity to revisit Heart’s formative years. I’d give the original version two stars and the re-recording 3, but do recommend giving each a side-by-side comparison.
