So here I am in the USA, where the album doesn't get released until Oct. 2. Of course that meant I pre-ordered from Europe (Switzerland, to be precise) and it appears that I have it stuffed into my grubby little ears before some of you in the UK do! First impressions are generally positive. Firstly, A couple of absolutely monster tracks (Dance Of The Black Tattoo, and See How They Fall) on which Magnum sound like it's 1978 all over again! Bloody wonderful, in other words. Next, with the aching, tragic Putting Things In Place, Tony has taken The Last Dance, crossed it with Different Worlds, and somehow come up with what is undoubtedly one of Magnum's finest songs ever. Shadow Town is fantastic. Didn't Like You Anyway & So Let It Rain are close behind if not level pegging. I haven't gelled with the title track yet, but I think I soon will. Next we have From Within & All The Dreamers, which I think will also turn out to be growers (from very good to excellent). Finally, Broken Promises and Blood Red Laughter definitely need more listens to decide. To my ears, there are elements here from almost every era of Magnum. With the KOM throwbacks, WOH flashes, post-reunion PAATBA/ITVOTMK nods, and some Vigilante stomp. There is also a hint of Rock Art in some songs, which I can personally do without. What I DON'T hear is anything that immediately reminds me of OASTN. But that's OK! This is Magnum - loud, proud and firmly in the current century - whatever that is. SOME of the production sounds to my ears to be the best Tony has ever done. Some of the rest is still stuck in the swamp. But overall I think he has made great progress with this album - more of the songs and arrangements have SPACE, something that the Magnum sound has to have in order to be really successful. Don't try and fill every available second with sound!! Harry is sounding better in the Magnum mix than previously. There is some sublime keyboard work as always - and it sounds crisp rather than muffled for a change. If I was to be a spoilsport, I would have to say that a few more clear, extended guitar solos would be luvverly! Finally - Uncle Bob. There are moments on this album that are already in my top 5 of 'oh crap an old male rock vocalist has made me cry' moments. He needs to stop DOING that! Seriously, what a voice. Yes, it does sound like he has to strain a bit more than he used to in order to find the sweet spot, but with songs like many on this album - that effect only ADDS to the quality, rather than detracts. In summary: When's the next album coming out lads? Come on already! A very early judgement of 92%.http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913182#msg-913182Sat, 25 May 2013 22:06:19 +1000 Phorum 5.2.16 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913425#msg-913425 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913425#msg-913425
Love the album! :-)


Figge]]> Figge NoticeboardFri, 28 Sep 2012 07:16:37 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913418#msg-913418 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913418#msg-913418 Alex NoticeboardFri, 28 Sep 2012 06:29:13 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913374#msg-913374 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913374#msg-913374
Lovely glimpse of "old" Magnum! As for the album, it keeps growing on me! Love it!]]> Tom G NoticeboardThu, 27 Sep 2012 23:28:51 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913350#msg-913350 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913350#msg-913350
As for the track running order, the current arrangement seems to work fine for me - but maybe I'll burn a CD with your suggested changes and see what I think! Personally, a song like All The Dreamers at the END would be a far greater issue than having it as the opener. It is a good enough song to draw a fan into the album, and for any new listeners the single choice So Let It Rain is definitely a smart pick. If there is any hope of picking up new fans these days, then maybe this will do it!

Broken Promises is starting to grow on me, as is Blood Red Laughter. I think this will soon be vying with The Visitation to be my favorite post-reunion album. Certainly the four in a row middle section (So Let It Rain, Dance Of The Black Tattoo, Shadow Town & Putting Things In Place) is up there with ANY sequence from ANY Magnum album!]]> illimey NoticeboardThu, 27 Sep 2012 21:46:12 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913320#msg-913320 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913320#msg-913320 leftfield NoticeboardThu, 27 Sep 2012 20:33:51 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913222#msg-913222 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913222#msg-913222
While i enjoy all newish Magnum albums, i think this one is indeed the best one and sounds alot like the Magnum i love (even if its lacking what i described above)......

In hindsight, as far as a good collection of songs go, i think, right now at least, that Breathe of life is really really good, but of course is tarnished by the lack of a drummer and the production......

All in all the band and Tony really delivered here, its quite amazing to think that one songwriter can go from Breathe of life to Mothers Nature last dance, from We all run to All the dreamers or Who do you think you, all while producing a whooping 6(!) albums since 2000.....(anda Box set and a best of and a live cd and a live dvd......).....So far it was a good decade to be a Magnum fan i think! :)]]> Alex NoticeboardThu, 27 Sep 2012 03:19:26 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913206#msg-913206 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913206#msg-913206
There are as you say elements of just about every era of Magnum . . . and I love that.

A few (small) production and mixing issues (or wishes rather) apart, it's a fantastic album, and I like all songs on it (some more than others).


Figge]]> Figge NoticeboardThu, 27 Sep 2012 00:37:58 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913189#msg-913189 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913189#msg-913189
From Within is definitely a grower. I knew from Facebook there was going to be a choir on it so I suppose I was sort of expecting a monster ballad to close the album so I was surprised that it was mid tempo, but I really like it now.

The point you've made about Bob's voice is absolutely bang on for me and you've nailed it better than any review I've read so far.]]> Russ NoticeboardWed, 26 Sep 2012 22:01:26 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913185#msg-913185 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913185#msg-913185
I am on the train with Dance Of The Black Tattoo as high as my earphones can allow. Love the evil carnival outro and the middle section.]]> Tom G NoticeboardWed, 26 Sep 2012 21:17:03 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913184#msg-913184 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913184#msg-913184 Andrew NoticeboardWed, 26 Sep 2012 21:15:11 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913182#msg-913182 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,913182,913182#msg-913182course that meant I pre-ordered from Europe (Switzerland, to be precise) and it
appears that I have it stuffed into my grubby little ears before some of you in
the UK do!

First impressions are generally positive. Firstly, A couple of absolutely
monster tracks (Dance Of The Black Tattoo, and See How They Fall) on which Magnum sound like it's 1978
all over again! Bloody wonderful, in other words. Next, with the aching, tragic
Putting Things In Place, Tony has taken The Last Dance, crossed it with
Different Worlds, and somehow come up with what is undoubtedly one of Magnum's
finest songs ever.

Shadow Town is fantastic. Didn't Like You Anyway & So Let It Rain are close behind if not
level pegging. I haven't gelled with the title track yet, but I think I soon
will. Next we have From Within & All The Dreamers, which I think will also turn
out to be growers (from very good to excellent). Finally, Broken Promises and
Blood Red Laughter definitely need more listens to decide.

To my ears, there are elements here from almost every era of Magnum. With the
KOM throwbacks, WOH flashes, post-reunion PAATBA/ITVOTMK nods, and some
Vigilante stomp. There is also a hint of Rock Art in some songs, which I can
personally do without. What I DON'T hear is anything that immediately reminds me
of OASTN. But that's OK! This is Magnum - loud, proud and firmly in the current
century - whatever that is.

SOME of the production sounds to my ears to be the best Tony has ever done. Some
of the rest is still stuck in the swamp. But overall I think he has made great
progress with this album - more of the songs and arrangements have SPACE,
something that the Magnum sound has to have in order to be really successful.
Don't try and fill every available second with sound!!

Harry is sounding better in the Magnum mix than previously. There is some
sublime keyboard work as always - and it sounds crisp rather than muffled for a
change. If I was to be a spoilsport, I would have to say that a few more clear,
extended guitar solos would be luvverly!

Finally - Uncle Bob. There are moments on this album that are already in my top
5 of 'oh crap an old male rock vocalist has made me cry' moments. He needs to
stop DOING that! Seriously, what a voice. Yes, it does sound like he has to
strain a bit more than he used to in order to find the sweet spot, but with
songs like many on this album - that effect only ADDS to the quality, rather
than detracts.

In summary: When's the next album coming out lads? Come on already!

A very early judgement of 92%.]]> illimey NoticeboardWed, 26 Sep 2012 21:09:34 +1000