The album continued The Vapors' dark lyrical themes, taking them to a slightly darker level, with "Jimmie Jones" being about American cult leader Jim Jones, "Isolated Case" about state oppression and disillusionment with politics, "Civic Hall" about the assault Dave suffered at the hands of overzealous Metropolitan policemen, "Spiders" and "Can't Talk Anymore" about mental illness, and the title track being about the assassinations of John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. Even those songs about relationships - "Daylight Titans", "Johnny's in Love " and "Lenina" - are tinged with an edge of being in a suffocating society and a malevolent state apparatus.
Despite positive reviews, the album failed to chart in the UK, possibly as a result of the lack of promotion on the part of their record label. The United Artists record company had been bought out by EMI in 1980 and later renamed Liberty, and many of the bands who came across as part of the deal complained of poor treatment by their disinterested new owner. Shortly after the release of Magnets, the failure of Liberty to commit to a seventh single resulted in The Vapors disbanding. The only other Vapors-related release, aside from many greatest hits albums, was a solo single by David Fenton.
Releases
In 1998, Collectables Records issued the compilation albumVaporized, which included both of the band's albums, New Clear Days and Magnets, on the same CD. In 2000, Captain Mod Records, an offshoot of the Captain Oi! label, specialising in punk rock and new wave bands, reissued both of the band's albums on CD, separately. Magnets included all of the album's single versions and B-sides as bonus tracks.
Aftermath
After the label dropped the band, David Fenton decided to leave the band to focus on his new family. He had got married during The Vapors' formation and his wife was beginning to have his children. After this, Fenton opted to have a more secluded life. Drummer Howard Smith had already expressed losing interest in the project prior, claiming that he did not like the fame and that touring was becoming too exhausting. This only left bassist Steve Smith and guitarist Edward Bazalgette. Steve Smith eventually called it quits after the duo were unable to find the appropriate replacements after months of searching. Edward Bazalgette was left to be the only remaining founding member and was forced to finally break-up the band, instead deciding to focus more on other intellectual pursuits, later becoming a professional film executive. The band members, however, have since remained friends and on good terms.
Track listing
All songs written by David Fenton, except where noted.
