Tag: magnum

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.

Magnum had been slogging around for a few years with not much success, and they were supporting anyone who would have them. Then, with the release of Chase The Dragon, they made a breakthrough in the UK. When this album was released in ’85, the rest of the world began to listen.

The main focus of the band has always been singer Bob Catley, and guitarist Tony Clarkin, who wrote all the music and lyrics. I always thought they should have made it big in the US, as their sound sits comfortably in the area that Styx operate in. It’s very melodic with the big pomp production and sound, you think they would be a perfect fit.

How Far Jerusalem is opens up the album and is almost Prog in its feel, but the melodies let you know that we are in AOR territory. Just Like An Arrow was a single in the UK and I remember hearing it on the radio at the time. Endless Love is my favourite track, and there are parts of this song that remind me of Journey. It has a great hook and melody, and Clarkin’s guitar does remind of Schon at times. All England’s Eyes has that US radio feel to it and I was surprised that never was released as a single. Is this Magnum’s finest hour?

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

In 1979, when every band was hardening up there sound to take advantage of the burgeoning NWOBHM scene that was exploding in the UK, good old Magnum stuck to their guns and made a super slick pomp rock follow up to Kingdom Of Madness. Considered a bit of a flop at the time, it failed to chart both for the album and the two singles that were released from it: Changes, and Foolish Heart.

I caught them live at the time supporting UFO, and they came across a lot heavier in the live setting. Obviously heavily influenced by the likes of Styx, they were a breath of fresh air at the time as they were different to all around them – they were a welcome change. The stand out tracks on the album are the Prog pomp madness of The Battle, which showcases Bob Catley’s distinct vocal style and Tony Clarkin’s riffs beef up the track, Reborn, which if you closed your eyes you think it was Styx playing in your room, and Firebird, which has that Jethro Tull quality about. Of course the band would have success with the two albums that followed this: Chase The Dragon, and Vigilante. Magnum are a very British band and a bit of a national treasure.

8/10 from The Grooveman.