Miracle Legion
The Backyard

Artist: Miracle Legion
Title: The Backyard
Release Year: 1984
Pressing Year: 1984
Label: Rough Trade Records
Catalog Number: ROUGH US 31
Format: 33 RPM • 12” EP • Stereo
UPC: 023138003118

The six songs on this, Miracle Legion’s first EP, are midtempo, often yearning jangle-pop numbers, most with atmospheric, impressionistic lyrics delivered by a raspy baritone. Around this, echoing background vocals are sometimes interwoven into the general texture. The accompaniment usually consists of ringing and frequently arpeggiated electric guitar, active yet tasteful bass underpinnings, and driving, yet never overstated drums.

If you think this is all another way of saying that Miracle Legion’s work is a dead-ringer soundalike for R.E.M.’s early-period songs, you're exactly right. The only non-R.E.M. touch in the first five songs are the occasional odd grinding harmonic dissonances in Butterflies. The last song, the scintillating Stephen, Are You There? manages to convincingly conjure up a New-South sound by using only echo-drenched acoustic guitars, tambourine, and voice.

In general, the songs are good, if not nearly as memorable as those of their main model. Nevertheless, this EP was an immediate college radio hit. This attractive album is certainly worth a listen, especially for those who like music in this style.

Personnel: Jeff Wiedershall (drums); Joel Potocsky (bass); Mark Mulcahy (vocals); Mr. Ray Neal, Bad Bob (guitars).  

NOTE: I try to match the condition of my vinyl records to eBay's Grading System.    

VINYL GRADE: VG+
Notes: Minimal surface noise. A good cleaning is all this one needs. Not warped.

LABEL GRADE: VG+
Notes: No ring wear, spindle wear, tape, or writing. Custom blue posterized artwork on white. Text is blue on white and white on blue.  

SLEEVE GRADE: VG
Notes: Original glossy white paper. One side has panels and artwork from “The Little Engine That Could.” (Blue art and text on white.) The other side has a blue duo-tone photo of the band and liner notes. No writing, no tape, no stains, some crinkles, slight yellowing. There is a two-inch split at the center of the right edge. Cut-out hole at top left corner corresponds with the cut-out hole in the jacket.

JACKET GRADE: VG+
Notes: No visible ring wear. Edges, corners, and spine (readable) are in good shape. No tape, no writing, no stains, no splits, some crinkles. Original shrink wrap is open but still tightly clinging. Cut-out hole in top left corner. (See my original scan.)

Shipping is $4.00. NOTE: I will NOT be responsible for items lost or damaged in the mail.

Combined shipping: I will be happy to combine multiple items. If you buy more than one item from me, the shipping cost will be the highest original shipping fee plus $1 per additional item.

Payments managed by eBay.

This is not a record-club pressing. It is the original issue.

Note: I haven't cleaned this 36-year-old EP because everybody seems to prefer their own methods. I'll leave the cleaning up to the buyer. Also, I'm not a professional vinyl seller or buyer. This comes from my own collection. Bought at The Record Exchange, downtown Blacksburg VA.

Enjoy the auction — and good luck!