MAGNUM - On The Thirteenth Day [Ltd. 2CD Digipak] (2012)

*

British legend MAGNUM has been 40 years in the music business delivering quality.
Although the band's sixteenth studio album "On The Thirteenth Day" isn't likely to see Magnum occupying the lofty heights of their pomp, pop and prog glory years, that's no fault of their core duo: vocalist Bob Catley and guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin.
Time moves on and fashions change, and the kind of lush, melodic fare that Clarkin composes is now appreciated by a more discerning audience than in the band's heyday.

"On The Thirteenth Day" expands itself upon the impressive catalogue Magnum have amassed over the decades and stands tall and proud alongside their most revered releases. The formula runs pretty close to the last three Magnum offerings; 'Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow', 'Into The Valley Of The Moonking' and 'The Visitation', but considering how pleasing on the ear they all were, the fact that "On The Thirteenth Day" betters them is recommendation enough.
Ease into the uplifting "Shadow Town", the ever building and instantly memorable "So Let It Rain" (the stick in your head song of the album), the wonderfully titled and welcomingly familiar "Blood Red Laughter", or stomping, melancholy intent of "From Within" for confirmation that this is a vintage motor still running at full tilt.
Pleasingly there are a couple of curve-balls, with "Dance Of The Black Tattoo" having a chunkier riff than this band are known for, while "Broken Promises" follows a similar path, but with a bluesier edge.

The voice of the band, Bob Catley, maybe sounds a little lived in these days, but few frontmen can offer up the warmth and emotion of his delivery, while long standing keyboard player Mark Stanway adds the layers of atmosphere that mark out the Magnum signature sound.
The 'most recent' lads also stack up well, with Harry James on drums and bassist Al Barrow proving once again that having the most solid of rhythm sections is priceless in any band of any genre.
However without guitar player and songwriter Tony Clarkin, this band simply wouldn't be, so let's all doff our caps to 'The Hat' and pay reverence to yet another cracking set of songs and another stunning six string performance.

"On The Thirteenth Day" is a fantastic blend of all of the elements with which Magnum have impressed, seduced and won our affection for almost as long as we can remember now.
This is a quite a diverse set of songs but all with the Magnum signature sound, ranging from hard edge rockers, sing along melodic anthems and technically clever ballads with very meaningful lyrics. All definitely melodious and commercial yet in a way sophisticated.
"On The Thirteenth Day" is an impressive statement from a band that would have every right to be sitting with their feet up and living off past glories at this stage of their careers.
The fact that they are not is a reason to rejoice.
Highly Recommended


Disc 1:

01. All The Dreamers
02. Blood Red Laughter
03. Didn't Like You Anyway
04. On The 13th Day
05. So Let It Rain
06. Dance Of The Black Tattoo
07. Shadow Town
08. Putting Things In Place
09. Broken Promises
10. See How They Fall
11. From Within


Bonus Disc 2:

01. Those Were the Days (Demo From 1988-89) 04:14
02. Eyes Like Fire (Full Version) 05:26
03. Blood Red Laughter (Acoustic Version) 04:13
04. We All Need to Be Loved (Live From Prague CZ) 05:17
05. Shadow Town (Acoustic Version) 05:01
06. Moonking (Live From Mannheim D) 06:29


Vocals: Bob Catley
Guitars: Tony Clarkin
Keyboards: Mark Stanway
Bass: Al Barrow
Drums: Harry James






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www.amazon.co.uk/13th-Day-Ltd-2cd-Digi/dp/B007TK7I9U

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MAGNUM - On The Thirteenth Day (2012)

*

British legend MAGNUM has been 40 years in the music business delivering quality.
Although the band's sixteenth studio album "On The Thirteenth Day" isn't likely to see Magnum occupying the lofty heights of their pomp, pop and prog glory years, that's no fault of their core duo: vocalist Bob Catley and guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin.
Time moves on and fashions change, and the kind of lush, melodic fare that Clarkin composes is now appreciated by a more discerning audience than in the band's heyday.

"On The Thirteenth Day" expands itself upon the impressive catalogue Magnum have amassed over the decades and stands tall and proud alongside their most revered releases. The formula runs pretty close to the last three Magnum offerings; 'Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow', 'Into The Valley Of The Moonking' and 'The Visitation', but considering how pleasing on the ear they all were, the fact that "On The Thirteenth Day" betters them is recommendation enough.
Ease into the uplifting "Shadow Town", the ever building and instantly memorable "So Let It Rain" (the stick in your head song of the album), the wonderfully titled and welcomingly familiar "Blood Red Laughter", or stomping, melancholy intent of "From Within" for confirmation that this is a vintage motor still running at full tilt.
Pleasingly there are a couple of curve-balls, with "Dance Of The Black Tattoo" having a chunkier riff than this band are known for, while "Broken Promises" follows a similar path, but with a bluesier edge.

The voice of the band, Bob Catley, maybe sounds a little lived in these days, but few frontmen can offer up the warmth and emotion of his delivery, while long standing keyboard player Mark Stanway adds the layers of atmosphere that mark out the Magnum signature sound.
The 'most recent' lads also stack up well, with Harry James on drums and bassist Al Barrow proving once again that having the most solid of rhythm sections is priceless in any band of any genre.
However without guitar player and songwriter Tony Clarkin, this band simply wouldn't be, so let's all doff our caps to 'The Hat' and pay reverence to yet another cracking set of songs and another stunning six string performance.

"On The Thirteenth Day" is a fantastic blend of all of the elements with which Magnum have impressed, seduced and won our affection for almost as long as we can remember now.
This is a quite a diverse set of songs but all with the Magnum signature sound, ranging from hard edge rockers, sing along melodic anthems and technically clever ballads with very meaningful lyrics. All definitely melodious and commercial yet in a way sophisticated.
"On The Thirteenth Day" is an impressive statement from a band that would have every right to be sitting with their feet up and living off past glories at this stage of their careers.
The fact that they are not is a reason to rejoice.
Very Good


01. All The Dreamers
02. Blood Red Laughter
03. Didn't Like You Anyway
04. On The 13th Day
05. So Let It Rain
06. Dance Of The Black Tattoo
07. Shadow Town
08. Putting Things In Place
09. Broken Promises
10. See How They Fall
11. From Within


Vocals: Bob Catley
Guitars: Tony Clarkin
Keyboards: Mark Stanway
Bass: Al Barrow
Drums: Harry James


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hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=910231

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MAGNUM - Evolution (2011)

*

At this point, with almost a 40-year career, UK's MAGNUM are some kind of institution in the Melodic Rock scene.
Their successful last albums have seen critics and fans comparing them to the glory days of the '80s when albums such as ‘On A Storytellers Night’ or ‘Vigilante’ saw Magnum at the top of their creativeness.
Due this musical renaissance and a whole new generation rediscovering their back catalogue, Magnum have decided to re-visit their past decade albums.
"Evolution" is a reflection of that, consisting of songs released only after the bands' reformation in 2001.

"Evolution" offers 2 tracks from each last five albums, all have been re-mixed, tweaked, polished, and a few bits and pieces have been re-recorded. Plus, there's two brand new songs to enjoy.
Magnum’s sound has evolved over the past decade and that is shown in the remixes making the songs more cohesive to listen to here on one album.
This new make up - particularly the re-recorded parts - are most noticeable on the first four tracks, with an enhanced and strong guitar sound.
The first two, taken from the album 'Breath Of Life' had been clearly benefited by new Clarkins' biting guitars.
On "That Holy Touch" Bob Catley’s partially re-recorded vocals sound brighter in the mix along with a fresh rhythm section the whole song sounds ‘bigger’ than the original studio recording.
"Just Like January" too has grown in stature thanks to some sympathetic enhancing. Harry James’ newly recorded drums and Al Barrow’s beefed up bass serve to flesh out the whole affair. The majestic orchestration is also raised a notch with some Mark Stanway’s keyboard swathes sounding better than ever.

The album ‘Brand New Morning’ is represented by the coupling of the title track and "Immigrant Song". These songs are a sonic revelation. The former has always had an opening crunch to it, but now it is ready to move up a weight division with Clarkin’s guitar and Barrow’s bass adding some significant punch. James’ drums also sound huge and add that killer left hook.
"Immigrant Song" is possibly the biggest improvement, and one that Barrow personally feels has had a sympathetic 'face-lift'. The re-recorded bass and guitars give the song greater depth and weight.
"When We Were Younger" has been given a fresh lease of life and has far more impact than when first heard on the album 'Princess Alice & The Broken Arrow'. The song has a new edge to it with James’ drums and some over-hauled guitar.
One of my favorites of the new era is the infectious "All My Bridges". The newly recorded seasoned rhythm section has enhanced the song fist-pumping-pomp style. Love it.

The 2 new tracks are really good.
"The Fall" is an instant and catchy tune with an uplifting vibe. Stanway’s tender keyboards give way to a melodious guitar riff. This mid tempo rocker cleverly eases through the gears with Catley’s voice creating amazing vocal melodies sounding better than ever.
"Do You Know Who You Are?" has a distinct '80s AOR feel plenty of hooks. It's full of lovely keyboards and a soaring vocal delivery by Catley. This is a song you'll find humming to yourself long after it has finished. One of their best songs ever.
Very often bands add ‘new’ tracks to flesh out albums such as these, but this is most certainly not the case here.
If this is a look into Magnum's future, then there is much to look forward to.


"Evolution" celebrate this second era of Magnum very well and is a fantastic introduction to those who don’t own any of the recent releases.
But if you are a fan and already have their recent Cd's, this is essential as well, because with these remixes and uplifted sound this package sounds as a 'whole new' album, cohesive and integral.
The engineering is terrific, all sounds perfect, crisp and vital.
"Evolution" is excellent, and even if you have the albums that have been sampled, you really need to hear the great two new tracks and enjoy the brilliant re-mixes.
A Must Have.


You've seen it first here, at 0dayrock





Bob Catley - vocals
Mark Stanway - keyboards
Tony Clarkin - guitars
Al Barrow - bass, backing vocals
Gary "Harry" James - drums



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www.amazon.co.uk/Evolution-Magnum/dp/B005BY91C8

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MAGNUM - The Visitation (2011)

Digipak


Album after album, MAGNUM have just been getting better and better in recent years.
As good as their last outing – 2009’s ‘In The Valley Of The Moonking’ – was, "The Visitation" ups the stakes once more and shows that in their fourth decade the band are still hungry, and still keen to push themselves to deliver truly great material.

Magnum, once again, merges classic Melodic Rock with a touch of progressive into a fine package, always interesting and provocative.
"The Visitation" is a masterful CD with some truly wonderful songs that could go on a 'Best Of Magnum' album.
The ten tracks keeps a high standard especially on the mid-tempo ones.
In front of the mix are the powerful vocals of singer Bob Catley, a musician whose charisma and warm tone seem to have only grown and fermented with time.

One of undeniable highlights of the album is the dynamic opener, "Black Skies", a track that has every great thing about Magnum rolled into one; strong melodies, contrast, and powerful delivery.
On "Doors To Nowhere" the band look back at their own childhood. It would hardly be possible for a track to be more typical of Magnum than this number with its vigorous guitar parts, gritty arrangements and charismatic vocals.
Title track "The Visitation" starts off as a pretty standard melodic rock number, but develops into something very different and interesting a couple of minutes in. The middle section is awesome.

"Wild Angles" demonstrates and displays Magnum's expertise to craft memorable songs. The chorus is fantastic, commercial and sticky. This is without doubt a future Magnum classic.
"Spin Like a Wheel" echoes classic melodic rock, a mid-paced rocker with both a glorious feel and an one of those unexpected twists that the band excel at. I love this track.
"The Last Frontier" slows down the pace, this is an epic track that develops into an orchestral blow-out. Awesome.
The utterly majestic "Freedom Day" has thought-provoking lyrics about human rights. An increscendo tune featuring another epic chorus.

"Spin Like a Wheel" is classy melodic rock but with diversity and intrigue, again with more than interesting lyrics.
"Midnight Kings" is a typical Magnum track, that remembers the earlier work by this versatile band.
The mid-tempo ballad "Tonight's The Night" closes the album with enchanting background synths and a well crafted chorus.


"The Visitation" sounds and feels like pure Magnum; classy melodic rock blended with the intrigue of progressive rock.
The trademarks and roots remains the same, they sound like they have always done, but they have never ever repeated themselves.
This new album features 10 classic Magnum songs that will go down like milk and honey among the band's fans world-wide.

Magnum is doing what they do best, at a very high level and with continuity that leaves nothing to be desired for.
Another stellar album from the British masters.



1. Black Skies
2. Doors To Nowhere
3. The Visitation
4. Wild Angels
5. Spin Like A Wheel
6. The Last Frontier
7. Freedom Day
8. Mother Nature's Final Dance
9. Midnight Kings
10. Tonight's The Night


Bob Catley - vocals
Tony Clarkin - guitars
Mark Stanway - keyboards
Al Barrow - bass
Harry James - drums


magnumonline.co.uk
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!

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