Magnapop (album)


Magnapop is the debut album by Magnapop, released in 1992 and re-released with bonus tracks on July 29, 1997.

Recording and release

Four of the tracks—"Favorite Writer", "Chemical", "Complicated", and "Merry"—were recorded in John Keane Studio, Athens, Georgia in December 1990 with Linda Hopper's friend Michael Stipe producing. The rest were self-recorded through March 1992 at Furies Studio in Atlanta suburb Marietta. The album produced one single—"Merry"/"Complicated"—released as a 7" on Solid Records ; a music video for the song was created in 1992.
The song "Favorite Writer" would later be covered by R.E.M. for their 2003 single "Bad Day" and during their 2003 tour to support . On September 13, 2011, Creative Loafing announced that Mulvaney had attempted to re-form the original line-up of Magnapop to perform a benefit concert for local independent music store Criminal Records. The benefit was later scheduled for October 15, and the band announced that they would be performing their self-titled debut album in its entirety.
The original cover to the album features the band's name in pale blue, with the re-release lettering in golden yellow.
Two songs from this session would end up on the 2019 release The Circle Is Round.

Reception

The album received a positive review from Allmusic, with reviewer Heather Phares labeling their cover version of Big Star's "Thirteen" "a welcome addition to this good beginning." Pitchfork Media's review was more ambivalent, characterizing the album as "some impressive work for so early in their career" but hampered by minimal production and the price of a full-length album for only 25 minutes of music.

Track listing

All songs written by Linda Hopper and Ruthie Morris, except where noted.
;Side one
  1. "Garden" – 2:21
  2. "Guess" – 2:53
  3. "Ear" – 2:21
  4. "13" – 2:42
  5. "Spill It" – 2:48
;Side two
  2. "Chemical" – 3:31
  3. "Favorite Writer" – 2:56
  4. "Complicated" – 1:52
  5. "Merry" – 3:04
;Re-release bonus tracks:
  2. "Snake" – 5:45
  3. "Skinburns" – 4:03

    Personnel

;Magnapop
;Technical staff
The album was initially released on Caroline Records in the United States and Play It Again Sam/Priority Records in the United Kingdom, with later editions published by Solid and King ; the re-release with bonus tracks was published in the United States by Never.
RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
United StatesCarolineCompact DiscBIAS 220-2
United KingdomPlay It Again Sam/Priority RecordsCompact Disc450.0220.21 - BIAS 220 CD
United KingdomPlay It Again Sam/Priority Recordscassette tape450.0220.53 - BIAS 220 MC
The NetherlandsPlay It Again Sam/Priority RecordsLP450.0220.11 - BIAS 220
The NetherlandsSolidCompact Disc527.9017.20
JapanKingCompact DiscKICP-407
United StatesNeverCompact DiscNR2202†

†Re-release with bonus tracks