# Life Was Better

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1994 EP by Magic Dirt

Life Was Better EP by Magic Dirt Released 21 November 1994 Recorded 1994 Studio Birdland Studios, Melbourne, Australia Genre Grunge, alternative rock Length 30:07 Label Au Go Go Magic Dirt chronology Signs of Satanic Youth (1993) Life Was Better (1994) Friends in Danger (1996)

***Life Was Better*** is the second [extended play](/source/Extended_play) release by Australian rock band [Magic Dirt](/source/Magic_Dirt). It was released in November 1994 on the [Melbourne](/source/Melbourne%2C_Australia) [independent](/source/Independent_music) label [Au Go Go Records](/source/Au_Go_Go_Records). The EP debuted at No. 1 on Australia's alternative chart, where it remained for 75 weeks.[1] It peaked at number 71 on the [Australian singles chart](/source/ARIA_Charts),[2] selling over 20,000 copies.[3] At the [ARIA Music Awards of 1995](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards_of_1995), the EP was nominated for four awards; [Best New Talent](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Best_New_Talent), [Best Independent Release](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Best_Independent_Release), Breakthrough Artist – Single and [Best Alternative Release](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Best_Adult_Alternative_Album).[4] In 2020, the EP was re-released on CD and vinyl and it entered the [Australian albums chart](/source/ARIA_Charts) at number 26.[5]

## Background and recording

After the release of their debut EP, *[Signs of Satanic Youth](/source/Signs_of_Satanic_Youth)* in 1993, and a heady succession of touring with the likes of [Sonic Youth](/source/Sonic_Youth), [Smashing Pumpkins](/source/Smashing_Pumpkins), [Beck](/source/Beck) and [Jon Spencer Blues Explosion](/source/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*.[6]

*Life Was Better* was recorded at Birdland Studios in Melbourne with engineer/producer [Lindsay Gravina](/source/Lindsay_Gravina), capturing the band’s abrasive guitar squall and pop sensibility. In interviews at the time, the band described the sound as "continuing our tradition of noise pollution" and even jokingly as "heaven metal".[7][8]

Adalita reflected in on the recording in 2007, saying that both *Signs of Satanic Youth* and *Life Was Better* were, "recorded under much the same circumstances. We were recording in Melbourne at Birdland with Lindsay Gravina and there was a 24-hours Coles over the road. For me that was bright lights, big city! It was an insane amount of fun".[9]

The cover art for *Life Was Better* was heavily influenced by Aussie cult movie *[Puberty Blues](/source/Puberty_Blues_(film))*, with which the band were obsessed.[10]

## Release and promotion

*Life Was Better* was issued by Au Go Go on CD on 21 November 1994, with "Ice" serviced to radio and an accompanying video.[11][12]

Following its release, the band featured heavily on alternative press and garnered a national spot on the 1995 [Big Day Out](/source/Big_Day_Out) tour. They went on to support [Hole](/source/Hole_(band)), [Silverchair](/source/Silverchair) and [Dinosaur Jr](/source/Dinosaur_Jr) throughout 1995. Late in 1995, they signed a record deal with [Warner Bros.](/source/Warner_Records) in the U.S.[6]

## 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."[13] In December 1994, D.D. Forte called the EP "the kind of feedback-laced gutter pop to knock the loneliness out of your head".[13] 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."[13] In December 1995, Nazz from Rip It Up said "It sounds like something sweet, like [The Bangles](/source/The_Bangles)... as covered by an air conditioner and a cement mixer".[13]

In 2020, Jeff Jenkins from Stack Magazine said *Life Was Better* "...shows a band that should have conquered the world. [Adalita Srsen](/source/Adalita_Srsen) sits comfortably alongside [Chrissy Amphlett](/source/Chrissy_Amphlett) as a rock goddess.".[14] Trouser Press singled out "Amoxycillin", which "starts as a brash pop song and closes with a ten-minute feedback concerto", comparing the band’s power to *[Daydream Nation](/source/Daydream_Nation)*-era [Sonic Youth](/source/Sonic_Youth).[15]

## Track listing

No. Title Length 1. "Daddy" 4:14 2. "Ice" 3:21 3. "Amoxycillin" 14:55 4. "Fairy Park" 2:37 5. "He Man" 5:00

## Personnel

- [Adalita Srsen](/source/Adalita_Srsen) – vocals, guitar

- [Dean Turner](/source/Dean_Turner_(musician)) – bass

- Adam Robertson – drums

- Daniel Herring – guitar

## Charts

Chart (1995) Peak position Australia Singles (ARIA)[2] 71 Chart (2020) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[5] 26

## Accolades

Year Organisation Category Nominated work Result Ref(s) 1995 ARIA Awards Best Independent Release Life Was Better Nominated [11] 1995 ARIA Awards Best Adult Alternative Album Life Was Better Nominated [11] 1995 ARIA Awards Best New Talent Life Was Better Nominated [11]

## Release history

Country Date Format Label Catalogue Australia 21 November 1994 CD Au Go Go Records ANDA167 Australia 17 January 2020[6][16][17] CD streaming digital download Ltd Edition LP Emergency Music EMERGENCY008CD / EMERGENCY008LP

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RC-2020_1-0)** ["Magic Dirt – *Life Was Better* reissue out now"](https://remotecontrolrecords.com.au/magic-dirt-life-was-better-reissue-out-now/). *Remote Control Records*. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-aus_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-aus_2-1) ["The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 09 Apr 1995"](http://i.imgur.com/Jl5nvPq.jpg). Imgur.com (original document published by [ARIA](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association)). Retrieved 2017-04-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["triple j music specials: Magic Dirt"](http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/music_specials/s1402505.htm). *ABC*. 23 November 2000. Retrieved 28 December 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ARIA1995_4-0)** ["Winners by Year 1995"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235646/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1995). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from [the original](http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1995) on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2020_re-entry_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2020_re-entry_5-1) ["ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums"](http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/albums-chart). [Australian Recording Industry Association](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association). 27 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-JBCD_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-JBCD_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-JBCD_6-2) ["Life Was Better (CD Reissue)"](https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/cd-magic-dirt-life-was-better-reissue-cd). *JB HiFi*. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Undersurf-1995_7-0)** ["Under Surf interview (Summer 1995)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20010309055725fw_/http://www.magicdirt.net/articles/undersurf.htm). *magicdirt.net (archived)*. Retrieved 7 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RIP-1996_8-0)** ["RIP magazine interview (June 1996)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20010309055532fw_/http://www.magicdirt.net/articles/rip.htm). *magicdirt.net (archived)*. Retrieved 7 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MN_9-0)** ["Magic Dirt's Next Step"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120316231525/http://www.messandnoise.com/articles/1236274). *Mess+Noise (archived)*. 19 October 2007. Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2025.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Magic Dirt announce *Life Was Better* reissue via Emergency Music!"](https://amnplify.com.au/magic-dirt-announce-life-was-better-reissue-via-emergency-music/). 18 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ARIA-1995_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ARIA-1995_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ARIA-1995_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ARIA-1995_11-3) ["1995 ARIA Awards – Winners & Nominees"](https://www.aria.com.au/awards/past-winners/1995). *ARIA*. Retrieved 7 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Noise11_12-0)** ["Magic Dirt To Reissue 1994 EP *Life Was Better* In 2020"](https://www.noise11.com/news/magic-dirt-to-reissue-1994-ep-life-was-better-in-2020-20191218). *Noise11*. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-reviews_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-reviews_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-reviews_13-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-reviews_13-3) ["Magic Dirt Announce Reissue of Life Was Better (1994)"](https://thepartae.com/magic-dirt-announce-reissue-life-better-1994-will-available-vinyl-dsps-first-time-supporting-cold-chisel-nationally-2020/). *The Partae*. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Magic Dirt, "Life Was Better" (reissue) review"](https://stack.com.au/music/album-review/magic-dirt-life-was-better-reissue-review/). *Stack Magazine*. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TrouserPress_15-0)** ["Magic Dirt – Trouser Press"](https://trouserpress.com/reviews/magic-dirt/). *trouserpress.com*. Retrieved 7 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Life Was Better (DD)"](https://music.apple.com/au/album/life-was-better/1491914257). *Apple Music*. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-JBLP_17-0)** ["Life Was Better (Limited Edition Orange / Black Vinyl)"](https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-magic-dirt-life-was-better-limited-edition-orange-black-vinyl-lp). *JB HiFi*. Retrieved 28 January 2020.

v t e Magic Dirt Adalita Srsen Raúl Sánchez Adam Robertson Daniel Herring Dave Thomas Dean Turner Studio albums Friends in Danger (1996) Young & Full of the Devil (1998) What Are Rock Stars Doing Today (2000) Tough Love (2003) Snow White (2005) Beast (2007) Girl (2008) Compilation albums Magic Dirt (US Version) (1995) EPs Signs of Satanic Youth (1993) Life was Better (1994) White Boy (2009) Singles "Dirty Jeans" "Plastic Loveless Letter"

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Life Was Better](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Was_Better) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Was_Better?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.