Released back in ’82, this was the band’s first charting album. I remember reading at the time there was a two year delay in releasing the record because of record company bullshit. It was worth the wait, as some of the band’s most endearing songs are on the album. The grandiose Soldier Of The Line and The Spirit. Magnum had gone full pomp at this point with their music taking references from Styx and Kansas, but with that British edge.
There is not a lot of difference between Magnum and Blackmore’s Night if you just listen to the main melody and subject matter of the songs. I was never much of a Magnum fan, as I was more of a straight up riff rock guy but occasionally they came out with a riff-based song like Walking The Straight Line; it’s my favourite on the album. The song has a great hook and melody and reminds me of early Foreigner.
Bob and Tony are now elder statesmen of the British rock scene and have been recording constantly over the years, if not directly in the limelight. I haven’t played this in a long while and it’s a fun listen.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
