Customer Reviews

On a Storyteller's Night

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

 

 

Yeah yeah outside of the UK and pockets of Europe this mob have never really garnered much acclaim. And probably understandably so with their music not being heavy enough for the diehard rivetheads and yet never commercial enough to become MTV darlings. But I always recalled an article in Metal Hammer magazine at the end of the 80's detailing their picks for the best albums of the decade and this was there. Further, you just kept on hearing the name as an insiders tip. So after picking up a double CD best of called Spirit I eventually took the bait and bought this expanded edition of what the bands hard core fans would tell you is a classic of pomp rock.

And perhaps it was the fact that I listened to it for the first time on a run through the Australian outback where I was able to listen to it from end to end as I trundled down the highway but I started finding not only the ruggedly beautiful landscape opening up before me but also the album. While I didn't have much time for How Far Jerusalem, the albums opener, most of the rest of the songs seemed to have something about them. Not complicated things, simple things, aspects that made the whole album more than the sum of it's parts. Whether it's Bob Catleys fine voice or the solid music behind him - graced as it is with Tony Clarkins judicious use of guitar textures that add just enough heft to haul you off to the party - this album is sprinkled with songs that work.

Of course its not all good news here, the pomp rock could really use a bit more kick in places to provide more peaks and valleys to the journey and there are rather more keyboards on display than are really needed and sure, the music doesn't necessarily match the rather fetching cover artwork which looks like something Helloween or early Blind Guardian would approve of, but these aren't fatal problems.

All up this refurbished look at one of Magnums more successful albums is a handy thing for any rocker to have in his collection. And just before I finish up let me impart a few thoughts on the second disc: it's mostly just for anoraks. There are a number of demo version of the songs and while they do certainly differ from the finished product I'm not sure what type of fan gets much out of these sorts of things. I mean the finished album is the finished album OK, who wants to hear diluted versions of the songs? Not to mention putting two versions of Come On Young Love one after the other makes you want to throw your stereo at the wall given the relentless use of the title as a lyric and the final track is almost 25 minutes of interview - that was done in 1993 and has nothing specific to do with this re-release at all!

But don't let me being critical of the second disc fool you, I stand by my four stars and my assertion that this is a good album to have in your collection even for fans who normally prefer a more chains 'n' leather approach just so they can broaden their rockin' horizons and find out what some of the (hushed) fuss was about.

As much as I love Magnum's 1983 album Eleventh Hour, their 1985 follow up On a Storyteller's Night is even better. It is, in fact, their strongest overall album and the one release that best represents what the Magnum sound is all about. That sound, which is typically described as "pomp rock" has elements of Deep Purple and Rainbow to Uriah Heep and Genesis, as well as arena rock bands like Styx, Boston, and REO Speedwagon. Magnum's music is dramatic and bombastic, and highly melodic as well.

On a Storyteller's Night is not only a perfect example of Magnum's sound, it's also an example of what was possible in an era when the lines between rock, metal, and AOR weren't as defined as they are today. The album is heavy to the point of metallic at times, shifting abruptly to melancholy ballads and then to a keyboard-driven arena rock anthem and back again.

I'd recommend this album to just about anyone who enjoys classic rock. Magnum is a tragically overlooked band, and once you hear them, you're hooked. On a Storyteller's Night is a great album to start with, as it really represents what Magnum was all about. There really isn't a weak moment on the entire album, but songs like "Les Morts Dansant," "All England's Eyes," the title track and especially "Just Like an Arrow" are among the band's absolute best material.

Edition Notes: Castle reissued On a Storyteller's Night in 1999 and gave it a much needed digital remastering as well as adding a 25-minute audio interview with Tony Clarkin and Bob Catley.

Edition Notes 2: Castle reissued On a Storyteller's Night yet again in 2005, splitting the interview onto a separate disc with eight demo tracks. It also features expanded liner notes and a nice slipcase.

WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST ALBUM EVER MADE BY MAGNUM.HEAVY BASS AND DRUM LINES,FANTASTIC GUITAR WORK, COUPLED WITH BRILLIANT VOCALS AND SOUL SEARCHING LYRICS. AS FAR AS MELODIC ROCK WITH A PUNCH GOES, IT DONT GET BETTER THAN THIS.