Jerky Versions of the Dream
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. 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. The album was released in United States on the I.R.S. label, on 26 July 1983. 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." 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." 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." Track listing. All songs written by Howard Devoto except where noted.