Magazine (CD - 1978)

Recorded at Mushroom Records Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia in 1976; The Aquarius, Seattle, Washington in 1975; Sea-West Studios, Seattle, Washington in 1978.

Personnel: Ann Wilson (vocals, guitar, violin, keyboards); Nancy Wilson (vocals, guitar, piano); Howard Leese (vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer); Roger Fisher (guitar, steel guitar); Michael DeRosier (drums); Steve Fossen (percussion).

Recording information: Aquarius, Seattle, WA (1975-1978); Mushroom Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (1975-1978); Sea West Studios, Seattle, WA (1975-1978).

Director: Mike Fisher .

Unknown Contributor Roles: Roger Fisher; Howard Leese; Nancy Wilson ; Ann Wilson ; Michael DeRosier; Steve Fossen.

Problems with the Mushroom label delayed the release of Magazine, which eventually went platinum and peaked at number 17 on the album charts. Only the hard-rocking "Heartless" made it into the Top 40, and the album didn't really live up to Heart's last few efforts. 1976's Dreamboat Annie showed stronger songwriting, while Little Queen had a lot more bite to it. Magazine lacks in energy and, to a much greater extent, fluency. The songs sound careless and scrambled together, and while some of the blame can be placed on the label controversy, it's apparent that the Wilsons seem unconcerned, for the most part. "Here Song," "Just the Wine," and the predictable "Without You" all have weak seams in both the writing and the articulateness of the tracks as a whole. 1978's Dog & Butterfly shows more interest and rock & roll vitality than its predecessor, making Magazine an album even the band likes to forget about. ~ Mike DeGagne

A collection of early demos and outtakes released when the group changed record labels, Magazine accentuates Heart's folkie roots, but that's not what makes the album such an unengaging listen. Instead, the album is mediocre because most of the material is underdeveloped and directionless. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine minimize