Press Play with Greg Fenton 001
The Past, Present and Future of Music
We are very happy to announce Magazine Sixty head honcho Greg Fenton is bringing his extensive expertise of music to Pen vs Sword as a regular contributor. His wise and well honed words will be featured in this dedicated section, which aims to explore the ever-evolving world of music with a blend of passion and insight. Known for his sharp critique and deep understanding of sounds, Greg’s contributions promise to enrich our magazine with his unique perspectives.
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
Friedrich Nietzsche
Press Play with Greg Fenton is a platform for recommendations, offering readers a curated selection of tracks, albums, and performances that embody the vibrancy of music. Whether revisiting timeless classics or introducing ground-breaking new sounds, Greg’s recommendations will cater to a diverse audience, from casual listeners to dedicated enthusiasts. His ability to connect the dots between the past, present, and future of genres will provide us all with a unique, comprehensive and engaging perspective.
Table of Contents
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Past – Magazine – Secondhand Delight – Virgin (1979)
Boredom. A singular masterpiece. A quick-fire shot against whatever you wanted it to be. Situated on Buzzcocks first single Spiral Scratch it was produced by Martin Hannett and sounded like the bare minimum dispensing with all frills drilling the guitar solo down to an exhilarating two notes.
Magazine was not this. It was not The Ramones or The Clash. It was not what it was supposed to be. Boys playing bar chords sneered like they were being important when they were conforming to stereotypes. Buzzcocks vocalist Howard Devoto left the band soon after forming Magazine in the wake. Perform and record music fast and slow, ran the Virgin Records ad placed in the cities’ Virgin Records. The expression, call and response, fits the bill.
Second Album in a Series of Five
Secondhand Daylight from 1979 is their second album in a series of five released during the band’s lifetime and is in my mind their defining statement. Partly stated as a defiant document that radically redrew what Punk and its embers were supposed to symbolise while daring to be very different, partly being blessed with such powerful songs, the remarkable cover illustration by Ian Pollack again talked a different language to the norm, Colin Thurston’s amazing production (an obvious choice given his work on Bowie’s Low and Iggy Pop’s The Idiot alongside the genius of Tony Visconti).
The album begins with the exquisite Feed The Enemy pitting the dark intensity of Devoto’s words against John McGeoch’s high-wired guitar and saxophone, Dave Formula’s atmospheric keys, Barry Adamson’s sensuous yet animated basslines and John Doyle’s powerfully punctuating drums.
Themes Beyond the Everyday
The songs and their consequent themes develop as the album gathers pace with music diving in between fast and slow, light and shade. Words are seared with meaning and at times menace but are heard worlds apart from their contemporaries caressing themes beyond the everyday with theatrical flair. Pieces dare to play outside the three minutes of designated thrash adding depth in the process.
Indeed musically the album is in a class all of its own and you can only imagine the impact it must have had on those experiencing such a new departure from surroundings at the time. I know it did for me. 1979 was an exciting year in music amid a sea change coursing through culture, as is every year when you glance back at it.
The Chance to be Different
You would be hard-pressed to find a piece of music as eloquent as The Thin Air, either then or now, bathed in blissful ambience followed in turn by the brutal propulsion of Back To Nature. The litmus test is of course that music retains its power and presence at any time in history – That it always remains amazing.
The musicians that played on Secondhand Daylight highlighted skill and dexterity touching the expression of melody as they did much heavier landscapes. You could say it was music moving forward as the sound of daring synthesizers filled the air while chord structures and musical prowess were employed to act out other scenarios.
It seems unfeasible now but I remember there was a temptation to criticise these defining attributes in the same way The Stranglers Black and White didn’t sit so easily the previous year. But if music means anything it offers the chance to be different.
Buy Secondhand Daylight at Rough Trade
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
Bob Marley
Present – The 7:45s – The Way I Love You – LRK Records
First up is Manchester’s The 7:45s – The Way That I Love You – LRK Records which as you will hear below tunes you directly into the pure grace of vocal heaven likened to the calibre of 1960’s/70’s Soul. Just wait until the chorus hits.
Present – V.ictor – Morpho – Archipel Musique Canada
Next is V.ictor – Morpho- released on Archipel Musique Canada. This album achieves that rare thing of combining a simple directness with the complexity of sonic conversation. Filled with grainy atmospheres and radical synthesis of forward-thinking sound a whole new world awaits to be found inside.
Download/Stream Morpho- on Bandcamp
Present – Skream & Big Jon – Thirst Day’ ft. Dillon Kelly – IFEEL
Skream & Big Jon – Thirst Day’ ft. Dillon Kelly – IFEEL rekindles a lost love of House Music feeling like a tempting and contemporary interpretation of the genre as the addictive pulse of four/ four drums and hot sincerity of sequenced basslines gain traction alongside Dillon Kelly’s rousing vocals. Something for the allure of smouldering, late-night sounds and adventures of dancing out loud.
Download/Stream Thirst Day at Juno
“Music is the universal language of mankind.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Present – Jolanda Moletta & Karen Vogt – Suspended Between Worlds
Finally is Suspended Between Worlds by Jolanda Moletta & Karen Vogt released digitally at the end of last year but still very much resounding now. A single piece of music occupies the space as imagination gently drifts between a sublime chorus of voices, overlapping sound effects and a consequent intensity which is simply life-enhancing like you have at last located the peace of blissful surroundings.
Download/Stream Suspended Between Worlds on Bandcamp
Future Recommendation
Look out for the release of Sulk Rooms aka composer/producer & live performer Thomas Ragsdale’s haunting soundtrack to Take A Look At God’s Face from 2022 by award-winning writer/director Jack Laurance. Released on February 21. A full review to follow in next month’s issue 002.
This Month on Magazine Sixty
For more reviews and interviews head over to our new to Magazine Sixty where this month you can keep up with all of the latest releases reviewed at Magazine Sixty including gems from Davis Galvin – Prism (Delphinium Elatum) – Music To Watch Seeds Grow By, Just Her & Nolan – Howler – Last Night on Earth, Black V Neck – Check My Brain – Dirtybird, and Anna Ling’s wonderfully, relaxed tempo – Butterfly released on Lucky Sun Recordings. Plus an interview with V.ictor whose brilliant – Morpho album has been highlighted above. See you next month!!
About MagazineSixty
At the heart of Greg Fenton’s work lies MagazineSixty, an online platform he created to showcase the best in contemporary music. The website is a treasure trove for fans of electronic and alternative sounds, offering a blend of album reviews, artist interviews, and features that delve into the creative processes behind some of the most compelling music being produced today. The site’s mission is to explore the intersection of artistry and innovation, highlighting the transformative power of music in a constantly evolving cultural landscape.
What sets MagazineSixty apart is its focus on quality over quantity. Fenton takes a discerning approach to curation, ensuring that every piece of content aligns with the site’s ethos of authenticity and depth. His reviews are not only detailed but also reflective, often connecting the music to broader cultural and historical contexts. This level of thoughtfulness has earned the website a loyal following, with readers appreciating its commitment to celebrating creativity without succumbing to the pressures of mainstream trends.
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Listen to the Live Stream of OpenLab
Noticed the black bar at the bottom of the screen? Listen now to OpenLab who are broadcasting worldwide via www.openlab.fm and on 106.4 FM in Ibiza and Formentera, OpenLab champions the worlds most exciting producers, artists, DJ’s and visual artists, offering their community a glimpse of ‘Tomorrows World.. Today’.
Want More Music? Click through to re-OpenLab
At Pen vs Sword, we are Partners in Sound with Openlab.fm in our re-OpenLab section, we re-introduce you to previously broadcast Openlab.fm shows delivering captivating audio experiences immerse yourself into – re-OpenLab is more than just a collection of past shows; it’s a curated journey through the eclectic and inspiring world of Openlab.fm’s programming.
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