Life Was Better

Life Was Better is the second extended play release by Australian rock band Magic Dirt. It was released in November 1994 on the Melbourne independent label Au Go Go Records. The EP originally peaked at number 71 on the Australian singles chart,[1] selling over 20,000 copies.[2]

Life Was Better
EP by
Magic Dirt
Released21 November 1994
Recorded1994
StudioBirdland Studios, Melbourne, Australia
GenreGrunge, alternative rock
Length30:07
LabelAu Go Go
Magic Dirt chronology
Signs of Satanic Youth
(1993)		 Life Was Better
(1994)		 Friends in Danger
(1996)

At the ARIA Music Awards of 1995, the EP was nominated for four awards; Best New Talent, Best Independent Release, Breakthrough Artist – Single and Best Alternative Release.[3]

In 2020, the EP was re-released on CD and vinyl and it entered the Australian albums chart at number 26.[4]

Background and release

After the release of their debut Signs of Satanic Youth in 1993, and a heady succession of touring with the likes of Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, Beck and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Magic Dirt weathered the hysteria of 'the next big thing' tag and a storm of major label interest by breaking up and getting back together four times. After regrouping for good and hiring help in the way of management and an agent, Magic Dirt reconvened in the middle of 1994 to record Life Was Better.[5]

The cover art for Life Was Better was heavily influenced by Aussie cult movie Puberty Blues, with which the band were obsessed.[6]

Follow its release, the band featured heavily on alternative press and garnered the band a national spot on the Big Day Out, supported Hole, Silverchair and Dinosaur Jr throughout 1995. Late in 1995, they signed a record deal in the USA.[5]

Reception

In November 1994, OTS said "Geelong's favourite sons (and daughter) do it again, with five tracks of pure alterno magic... this is a guaranteed indie hit and one of the archetypal Australian releases of the year."[7] In December 1994, D.D. Forte called the EP "the kind of feedback-laced gutter pop to knock the loneliness out of your head".[7] In January 1995, Tracey Grimson from OTS said "It's clear that Magic Dirt take their lessons from a combination of the punk of new indie mixed with the roots of older alternative rock... What rises up is hard, heavy, contagious rock 'n' roll – a new breed."[7] In December 1995, Nazz from Rip It Up said "It sounds like something sweet, like The Bangles... as covered by an air conditioner and a cement mixer".[7]

In 2020, Jeff Jenkins from Stack Magazine said Life Was Better "...shows a band that should have conquered the world. Adalita Srsen sits comfortably alongside Chrissy Amphlett as a rock goddess.".[8]

CD track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Daddy"4:14
2."Ice"3:21
3."Amoxycillin"14:55
4."Fairy Park"2:37
5."He Man"5:00

Personnel

Charts
Chart (1995) Peak
position
Australia Singles (ARIA)[1] 71
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[4] 26

Release history
Country Date Format Label Catalogue
Australia 21 November 1994
Au Go Go Records ANDA167
Australia 17 January 2020[5][9][10]
Emergency Music EMERGENCY008CD / EMERGENCY008LP

References
  1. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 09 Apr 1995". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved 2017-04-20.
  2. "triple j music specials: Magic Dirt". ABC. 23 November 2000. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  3. "Winners by Year 1995". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  4. "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  5. "Life Was Better (CD Reissue)". JB HiFi. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  6. "Magic Dirt announce Life Was Better reissue via Emergency Music!". 18 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  7. "Magic Dirt Announce Reissue of Life Was Better (1994)". The Partae. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  8. "Magic Dirt, "Life Was Better" (reissue) review". Stack Magazine. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  9. "Life Was Better (DD)". Apple Music. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  10. "Life Was Better (Limited Edition Orange / Black Vinyl)". JB HiFi. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
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