‘The Correct Use of Soap’ is the third album by Magazine, originally released by Virgin Records in 1980 and produced by Martin Hannett. ‘The Correct Use of Soap’ is more upbeat, returning to Real Life‘s popness (without the manic depression), and shows Magazine to be a mature and cohesive band. The mix adds an element of funk, and Devoto reveals a Costello-like flair for playful lyrics. The album includes some of Magazine’s best songs, including ‘Sweetheart Contract’, ‘Philadelphia’ and ‘A Song from Under the Floorboards’. Pressed from the 2000 remastered recordings, with a photo inner sleeve featuring an interview with sleeve designer, Malcolm Garett.

Enduringly credible, Magazine have always been the connoisseur’s choice and frequently name checked by some of the most gifted musicians of recent years including Radiohead, Morrissey, Jarvis Cocker, U2, Johnny Marr and MGMT. NME.com went so far as to included Magazine in a poll as one of the most influential bands of all time. Magazine’s front man, Howard Devoto co-formed Buzzcocks with Pete Shelley after the pair had seen The Sex Pistols in early 1976 and promoted the now legendary Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall gigs. Devoto left in 1977, after the seminal ‘Spiral Scratch’ EP had been released, and created Magazine. Their first record was the post-punk anthem ‘Shot By Both Sides’. Leading the vanguard of post-punk, Magazine’s sound focused on the double barrels of Dave Formula’s swirling keyboards and John McGeoch’s ahead-of-its-time innovative guitar work, underpinned by Barry Adamson’s pulsing yet deviously irregular bass-lines. Atop of which came Howard Devoto’s lyrics. Aloof, articulate, tersely ironic and about as pliable as a garden rake. Too literary for the mass pop environment. Too poppy for the literary landscapes beyond it. Doomed to exist in that tiny, undersubscribed hinterland where artful wordplay meets the crunching riff.