Jerky Versions of the Dream
1983 studio album by Howard Devoto
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Jerky Versions of the Dream is the only solo album recorded by Howard Devoto, the original singer of Buzzcocks and Magazine. It was his only studio album, which was released at the time with two singles, "Cold Imagination" and "Rainy Season", being a short-lived solo career for Devoto, who in 1986, went to form a band alongside guitarist Noko, which later was named Luxuria.
| Jerky Versions of the Dream | |
|---|---|
| |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | 26 July 1983 (US) |
| Recorded | 1982–1983 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 42:24 |
| Label | Virgin (Europe) I.R.S. (US) |
| Producer | Howard Devoto, Greg Walsh |
| Singles from Jerky Versions of the Dream | |
| |
Recording
The process of Devoto's solo album began, shortly after the demise of Magazine. Already frustrated by an unsatisfactory string of replacements for guitarist John McGeoch, Devoto left the group after the pre-album single to Magic, Murder and the Weather had failed to chart. Devoto started to write songs during 1982, later making a demo with guitarist Alan St. Clair and a drum machine. He also started working with his former Magazine bandmate Barry Adamson. Eventually, Devoto decided to combine the two projects and record a solo album, instead.
Release and reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [3] |
The album was released in United States on the I.R.S. label, on 26 July 1983.[4][5]
The first single to be released from the album was "Rainy Season". The song's video was heavily rotated on MTV. On the release of the album it peaked at #57, on the UK album chart. It was eagerly anticipated and widely received by amazing reviews. A subsequent tour in Europe, the United States, and Canada was full of sold out crowds. However, the album's second single, "Cold Imagination", failed to chart as well, and Devoto's solo career was put on hold.
In contemporary reviewing, Barney Hoskyns gave it a mixed response in NME: "It burns at both ends and gets bitty and boring in the centre."[6]
Retrospective reviews were more positive. Trouser Press said: "Full appreciation of the album requires a bit of forbearance and effort, but few artists make music this careful and intelligent."[7] AllMusic said: "Melding frenetic industrial funk with sardonic lounge piano, the music appropriately matches Devoto's eccentric lyrical musings—offering obtuse but highly original philosophical and social commentary."[2] In a guide to avant-pop music for The Brooklyn Rail, Paul Grimstad described Jerky Versions of the Dream as a "brittle, delicate record" and recommended "Cold Imagination".[1]
Track listing
All songs written by Howard Devoto except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cold Imagination" | 4:21 | |
| 2. | "Topless" | Devoto, Dave Formula | 3:47 |
| 3. | "Rainy Season" | 5:06 | |
| 4. | "I Admire You" | 5:15 | |
| 5. | "Way Out of Shape" | 3:55 | |
| 6. | "Some Will Pay (For What Others Pay to Avoid)" | Devoto, Formula | 3:44 |
| 7. | "Waiting for a Train" | 4:53 | |
| 8. | "Out of Shape with Me" | 4:14 | |
| 9. | "Taking Over Heaven" | 3:57 | |
| 10. | "Seeing Is Believing" | 3:19 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Rainy Season" (7" Single Version) | 3:40 | |
| 12. | "Rainforest" (Variation N16) | 5:12 | |
| 13. | "Cold Imagination" (Extended Version) | 5:08 | |
| 14. | "Cold Imagination" (BBC Radio 1 Peel Session Version) | 4:33 | |
| 15. | "Topless" (BBC Radio 1 Peel Session Version) | Devoto, Formula | 3:39 |
| 16. | "Some Will Pay (For What Others Pay to Avoid)" (BBC Radio 1 Peel Session version) | Devoto, Formula | 3:52 |
Personnel
- Howard Devoto - lead vocals, keyboards, piano, guitar, producer, arrangement
- Dave Formula - keyboards, piano, arrangement
- Alan St. Clair - guitar
- Leroy James - additional guitar on "I Admire You"
- Martin Heath - bass guitar
- Dave Martin - bass guitar on "Topless"
- Barry Adamson - bass guitar on "Out of Shape With Me" and "Seeing is Believing"
- Pat Ahern - drums, percussion
- Gary Barnacle - saxophone on "Some Will Pay (For What Others Pay to Avoid)" and "Waiting For a Train"
- Andy Diagram - French horn and trumpet on "Out of Shape With Me"
- Penelope Houston - second vocals on "Taking Over Heaven"
- Pamela Kifer - backing vocals
- Laura Teresa - backing vocals
- Technical
- Malcolm Garrett, Peter Saville Associates - sleeve design
- Trevor Key - photography
Chart positions
- Album
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Chart[8] | 57 |
- Singles
| Single | Chart (1983) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| "Rainy Season" | UK Singles Chart[8] | 97 |