Magazine were formed by Howard Deveto after he left The Buzzcocks, and recycled punk beyond recognition with the addition of keyboards. Take the Scottish sound out of Big Country, and add keyboards and a touch of the Sex Pistols; punk went progressive with this lot and influenced the likes of Radiohead.

These four Peel Sessions (recorded 78-80) were previously issued as part of a long deleted box, and issued here for the first time on a standalone CD. Well worth it too.

"Touch And Go" is a solid number, hinting at what the Damned would do a few years later. "The Light Pours Out Of Me" is very bass driven with some deft keyboards, very melodic, and a neat guitar solo towards the end. Could there even be a touch of The Motors in there too?

I think Magazine developed "Melodic Punk"!

Other tracks like "My Mind Ain't So Open" are more punk, with bigger nods at the Buzzcocks, Pistols and Damned. The vocals and guitar solos both snarling, fiery and melodic alike, before you add in some crazy keyboards.

Rewriting the rules, some mixed results and some great tunes too. Collectors will have these already but pretty enjoyable.

***½

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com