Magazine was an unusual album. It was originally released without the band’s permission. Those copies were recalled, though. The disc got some remixing and alterations and was released with permission. Now, this new audiophile version comes out and sounds incredible. The mix of hard rock, ballads and a lot of progressive rock elements is about perfect on this. The new sound (this whole series is great) works well. I’d recommend this to Heart fans both casual and hardcore. It’s a great album and a great edition of that great album.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2014  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Starting with a melodic, almost jazzy introduction, this launches out into a riff-driven rocker that’s quite cool. The mid-track excursion shows off a bit more of that jazz sound along with some progressive rock.

A different form of contrast, this is a ballad with lots of strings. While it’s not the best cut here, it creates a nice breather. It’s a pretty tune.

I’d say they picked the right song for the title track. This is a potent number with a lot of variation and changes. It’s got rocking movements, mellower ones and is another that’s quite proggy. Some of the vocal arrangements here are among the best and this has some great music, too. It’s a real winner that’s classic Heart. I really love the instrumental jam later in this extensive number.

This song is very short (just over a minute and a half). It’s a pretty ballad with strings and a great vocal arrangement.

Starting off in an old school, stripped back blues sound, after a verse this grows out to electrified blues. The harmonica on this is a great touch. So is the side-trip into “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

Another cover tune, Heart deliver a soulful version that’s just great. This live rendition might be my favorite performance of this song, too.