Customer Reviews

Brand New Morning

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Magnum is, maybe, one of the most underrated bands in the planet. Their work since their first album, "Kingdom of Madness", is spectacular and always refined. Maybe their real problem was being a band playing progressive rock in an era where nobody understood (back in 1978). Now, even the first album of Magnum sounds actual and well polished, more in the new remastered versions of their first five albums.

But talking about the "Brand New Morning" album, this record is great, majestic. The first song, Brand New Morning, brings to our minds echoes of their previous "Breath Of Life" album, even in the sleeve. From there, each song shows a very distinctive sound, each one very different but with an unmistakable style. Is amazing how Tony Clarkin can write so many songs and all sounding so different with so many subject matters.

If you like groups like Yes, Dream Theater, and the like, you must have this album (and this group) among your favorites. Personally, I've heard this album once and again and I discover new things every time I hear it. I like this band since their 1985 album "On A StoryTeller's Night" and is one wich never defrauds me. Each record adapts the band to the time they're living, without betraying their style. Good for Magnum.

Magnum are back ... and as good as ever. Tracks like "Brand New Morning" and "The Last Goodbye" had me siging along in no time, especially the later, which instantly reminded me of all the great Magnum songs, and why they remain my favorite rock band.

Magnum's music is basically AOR rock. Their strength seems to be in their lovely catchy choruses and unquestioning musicianship. Bob Cately's gravely vocals compliment Magnum's catchy, complex music perfectly

I like this album. My first inclination was to rate all songs five stars, but after further review I decided only four songs were truly five stars. Of the nine songs on the album, all were at least four stars. Four were bonafide five star songs one, Immigrant Song was four and a half with the remaining four were four stars.

The title track, Brand New Morning, with a solid hard rock feel, not unlike Def Leppard, vied with We All Run, a soft, head bopping number with an ultra catchy chorus; The Last Goodbye, a strong rock number with a great piano intro and another great chorus and Scarecrow, a medium slow tempo, feel good, ten minute number all seem to vie equally for the album's best song

I have been a big fan of Magnum's since their first album Kingdom of Madness. They have released many wonderful albums such as; Chase The Dragon, Vigilante, Sleepwalking, Goodnight LA and Storytellers Night, among others. With the release of Brand New Morning it's clear Magnum are very much at the top of their game, as it may very well be one of their best albums ever. That isn't statement made lightly. With songs like Blue and the Grey, We All Run, I'd Breath For You and the title track, Magnum flex their musical muscle to maxinum effect. Magnum have never recorded a bad album, but this one towers a little bit above most of them. The Blue and the Grey would make a top 10 list of Magnum's best songs for me. Old fans should like this, and any new fans of melodic metallic hard rock shoud dig this album. I highly recommend this one.

Some facts about British mega rockers, Magnum. Never heard of Magnum? Read on! Magnum's first album Kingdom of Madness was released in 1978. This album, Brand New Morning, was released two years ago. That's twenty-nine years folks. Obviously there's a lot of history behind this band, which one could probably write a book about but here's the condensed version.

They say that timing is everything and I believe it. I've seen it my whole life. Humanity is a mass of trends, some short term, some intermediate and some long term. Magnum formed in 1975 and Kingdom of Madness was released in 1978, about the time when punk rock was taking off. Nevertheless, everyone didn't gravitate to punk and Magnum was good enough to keep churning out albums. A visit to their website reveals the listing of forty-six albums not counting the new release, Princess Alice and the Broken Record, slated for release next month. If it's as good as Brand New Morning, I'm a buyer.

Brand New Morning

If despite their thirty-two years in existence, Magnum is new to you, let me make an admission, they are new to me as well. I started about three months ago with the acquisition of Brand New Morning and from subsequent acquisitions and downloads I have made since; I may have started with if not their best, probably their most consistent album.

Magnum music is essentially rock. The tempos run from medium to medium slow. Their strength seems to be in their memorable catchy choruses and extraordinary musicianship.

This twenty-first century version of Magnum finds them updating their music somewhat but overall it is very much like their pre new millennium music. Magnum's lead singer is Bob Catley has a gravely Sammy Hagar/Bob Segar voice