After somehow missing out on this band all my life, my familiarization with Magnum continues with their 1979 sophomore release. While their debut, Kingdom Of Madness, was one hell of a start, this album takes the vigor of that set and further solidifies their own sound. I hear shades of Queen, a bit of Cheap Trick, a dose of Thin Lizzy, maybe some Styx. Very proggy in places, but also never afraid of a riff or a hook. It’s clear why this band never took over the world….they are just a bit too singular in their style and sound (much like the fantastic Saga, who they remind me a lot of)….but it’s also clear why Magnum managed to enjoy a half-century-long career, and a solid fanbase. There is no one else quite like them.
Sadly, my acquaintance with Magnum is coming just weeks after the passing of guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin (which was actually a complete coincidence) so it looks like I will be diving into a complete body of work as I don’t imagine the band will continue, at least in any creative capacity. Regardless, I look very forward to charting Magnum’s evolution.
No comments:
Post a Comment