Magazine

Heart’s Magazine album came out in 1977 and then again in 1978, after a legal snafu, and seemed to be the victim of a lot of drama (so I’ve read in various sources). Apparently it went on to do well and down the line received the SACD treatment. Having just covered two albums under this format (this and a Peter, Paul and Mary album) I have to say that the room for doubt is still there as far as the dispute over weather or not the format is any better then the standard CD format. 

 

My previous experiences with the SACD format include the above mentioned Peter, Paul and Mary album as well as Nine Inch Nails' The Downward Spiral. Both of these albums felt well suited for a SACD format presentation, especially the NIN album. 

 

What Magazine lacks, and I find is very important for this format, is depth in their sound. Occasionally the album took advantage of the format, like on Devil Delight where the singer’s voice is thrown from the left speaker to the right speaker while maintaining a presence in the center speaker or when one track boasts flutes in the backdrop of the band playing on. The blues track does some heavy work with the harmonica and guitar sequence, but overall the album just felt lacking in comparison with the other SACD albums I’ve listened to. 

 

On its own, Magazine is a fine album that has earned its place in the annals of rock history. The bands Zeppelin inspiration and blues playing is only overshadowed, in my book, by a couple of radio ready love songs, but there isn’t a song on the album I would consider skipping over. It’s just not the best album for the use of the SACD format.