Elway + The Magnificent - Split

I always meant to complete at least one series of the All in Vinyl split series 7"s, but haven't yet. I have quite a few from the first two series but never got round to seeking out the rest. I often see them in All Ages still, but there are always more pressing purchases.

I bought this record because I was getting into The Magnificent so wanted to hear more. 1990 was one of the songs that Jimmy recorded a solo version of for the four-way split with Chuck Ragan, Sam Russo and Helen Chambers. It was also one of the highlights, so I was keen to hear another version of it (it was also on Bad Lucky). The chorus is huge and crazy-catchy, and the trade-off between the male and females vocals at the end is perfect. Their second song is a cover of A Song for the Helenas by The Bomb. I didn't read the sleeve the first few times I played it, so assumed it was an original. The sleeve recommends buying Speed is Everything and I did have a listen after I read that, but didn't care for them much. I'd go so far as to say I prefer The Magnificent cover, which might be an unpopular opinion.

Elway are pretty enjoyable too - they remind of the Riverboat Gamblers, a band I briefly enjoyed on a Daytrotter Session, but never properly got into. Actually, these Elway songs are really good. I probably should have checked them out six years ago when I bought this. Better late than never I suppose.

Format: 7", insert
Tracks: 4
Cost: £4 new
Bought: Banquet Records, Kingston
When: 11/09/12
Colour: Clear
Etching: none
mp3s: Download code

Noise By Numbers + The Magnificent - Split

Before I bought any of The Magnificent's albums, I bought a bunch of their 7" records - it wasn't intentional, but I kept finding them before I found either of their excellent albums. This is a split with a band called Noise By Numbers who I know nothing about. A quick google suggests they're related to some bands I've heard of, so I assume a reasonably big deal if you're into those bands. Their two songs are fine, but don't do huge amounts for me. Perfectly listenable, and I imagine they'd be fun live, but I'm almost certainly not going to check out their albums.

Reading the sleeve, it seems that The Magnificent recorded these songs with the guitarist from Noise By Numbers in Chicago, so that explains the connection I guess. Don't Send Me Flowers starts of a bit flat (but that could just be the very thin vinyl), but then has a huge chorus that comes out of nowhere, full of "woah-ohs" and great guitars. It's a great song and would have been perfectly at home on either of their albums. King of Denim Jackets was the closer on Bad Lucky, but this is a different recording. It's another great song. They really were an excellent punk band.

I bought it because I was doing an online order with Boss Tuneage Records and saw it in their distro - no very interesting story there. It came with a download code that never worked because the website that was hosting it has long since closed.

Format: 7"
Tracks: 4
Cost: £4 new
Bought: Boss Tuneage website
When: 03/08/12
Colour: Grey/purple mix
Etching: Side A: "You're so wise. You're like a miniature Buddha covered with hair" Side B: "I'm an IRS agent. Everybody hates me!"
mp3s: Download code

The Magnificent - Bad Lucky

When I went into All Ages to buy The Magnificent's LP, the guy behind the counter told me it was "exactly that". I was feeling a bit slow that day so it took a moment to figure out that he was telling that the album was magnificent, but I eventually got it and told him how much I was looking forward to hearing the record. Over the past year I've picked up a handful of splits and 7"s featuring The Magnificent and enjoyed all the songs, but somehow managed to put off buying the record until October. Better late than never I suppose.

Anyway, the guy in All Ages was right, it's a great album. When I wrote about the 7" of 1981 I said it reminded me of very early Manics, a comparison I stand by despite the fact it's probably more that both were influenced by The Clash. It's certainly heavier and faster than those bands generally were (the whole thing plays at 45rpm) and much more gruff. 1990 is possibly my favourite song, and it's nice to hear the full band version after a year of listening Jimmy's solo version on the Chuck Ragan et al split (as it happens, that was one of my favourite songs on that record too; the female backing vocals are the end of this one are spot on). Hold my Drink up High and King of Denim Jackets are highlights too.

Somehow I've only just found out that this is their second album, despite having trawled the Boss Tuneage website when buying some things earlier in the year. It's only a fiver so I might pick it up as an early Christmas present to myself. Also, I still haven't seen The Magnificent live, but hopefully they'll play London before too long.


Format: 12", insert
Tracks: 10
Cost: £11 new
Bought: All Ages, Camden
When: 03/10/12
Colour: Black
Etching: none
mp3s: Download code

The Magnificent - 1981

I've not seen The Magnificent yet, just Jimmy Islip on his own a few times. He's always good live and his songs were arguably my highlight on the split with Chuck Ragan, Sam Russo and Helen Chambers. The last time I saw him was in The Windmill with Digger Barnes and Cynics, and I picked up this 7". I couldn't quite decide which one to get (always tricky) but opted for 1981 in the end.

The A-side is pretty good, the guitars remind me a bit of (very) early Manics and there's a nice catchy chorus too. I had no idea what to expect when I played it having not listened to them before, but I enjoyed it. I like the second song even more, the use of the different vocals is great and the acoustic strum works brilliantly.

They have an LP out now that I keep meaning to pick up. Apparently this is how is used to work "back in the day": you'd buy the 7" and it makes you want to buy the album. I can't think of many other times that's happened.


Format: 7"
Tracks: 2
Cost: £3 new
Bought: Gig
When: 24/01/12
Colour: White
Etching: no
mp3s: no