|
Artist: Magnum |
|
|
When Rock was in its infancy
Magnum were a band at the forefront and have been ever since with only a
brief break in between albums in the early 00’s, but time after time
the band have come up with the goods both live and in the studio, so
it's no mystery that now in 2009 the band return bigger and better than
ever with their new album Into ‘The Valley Of The Moonking’.
Once again guitarist and songwriter extraordinaire Tony Clarkin has put together twelve songs that will show all those who thought the band had have their day, that you can't keep a good dog down. This album is pure Magnum from the opening intro leading into the first proper song ‘Cry To Yourself’. There’s an air of expectancy as the song begins that only a Magnum album has. You can almost hear the legions of die-hard Magnum fans hold their breathe as they wait with eager anticipation to hear whether their heroes have managed to not only retain but exceed their previous glories. As much as Clarkin is the true heart of Magnum, frontman Bob Catley is an equal partner as the lungs behind those wonderous songs. Together this pair seem to have an unseen bond that keeps Clarkin writing the songs and Bob singing the songs, Magnum simply wouldn't be Magnum without these two integral parts of this lifeforce. Indeed for anything to be truly alive it must have a strong heart and a good pair of lungs and this is what Clarkin and Catley bring to this legendary band. The album continues with ‘All My Bridges’ as Harry James and Mark Stanway get things underway and there’s that instant unmistakable Magnum sound once again, but this album isn’t Magnum by numbers, Clarkin has thrown in a few surprises on this album and thus keeping the fans on their toes. The first of those happens to be one of my favourites from the album the superb ‘Take Me To The Edge’, a real up tempo rocker that just has to be heard to be believed. This one rocks big style and I for one can't wait to hear this one live. I can almost hear the crowd clapping along and getting on down to it when I listen to this particular track. ‘The Moonking’ is more familiar ground for fans of the band, this is Clarkin at his song-writing best. Meaningful lyrics that just envelop your soul as you drift away on carpet of highs and lows, melting the mind into a world of fantasy as only Clarkin's writing can do. A mellow song best listened to in the comfort of your own home with a glass of something heart-warming in your hand and the lights turned down low. Another great song is ‘No One Knows His Name’ where Catley shows why he’s still classed by many to be one of the finest vocalist's of all time in this genre. He continues to sing his little lungs out on ‘In My Mind’s Eyes’, which is simply a great rock ballad and the excellent ‘Time To Cross That River’. There is more than a sense of elegance about this album as it continues with another my favourites ‘If I Ever Lose My Mind’. A song that takes me back to the majestically heady days of ‘Chase The Dragon’ before we reach the hauntingly beautiful ‘A Face In The Crowd’, a real heart jerker which comes a close second in the track of the album stakes. Things pick up pace once again with another great hard rocker in ‘Feels Like Treason’ before the album closes with ‘Blood On Your Barbed Wire Thorns’. A little funky riff based number that rounds off the album in great style. This is without a doubt
the bands best album for a while and although 'Princess Alice and the
Broken Arrow' was a good album, this one is more in keeping with the
Magnum of times gone by and should stand the band in good stead for the
future. Just as long as Clarkin keeps writing those classics and
Catley keeps singing them, then Magnum should reach that forty year
milestone with ease. |
|
|
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
|
|
|
All content copyright of The Mayfair Mall Zine unless otherwise stated. |
|