Edit - this review was written in early December 2023 before the sad news of Tony Clarkin's passing. I have left the content unaltered as a tribute to his amazing legacy.
Now more than 50 years into their existence, Magnum show no indication of slowing down and Tony Clarkin continues to write songs of extraordinary quality, album after album. With the upcoming release of Here Comes The Rain (their 23rd studio album including the acoustic offering Keeping The Nite Lite Burning), they will have produced more albums (twelve) than before their six-year hiatus, bearing witness to the band’s enduring popularity and loyal fan base.
Across those twelve (and indeed twenty-three) albums, they have produced a plethora of outstanding tracks and although some albums resonate more personally with me and might be more consistent throughout, Magnum truly is a band without a poor album in their discography.
Opening tracks for Magnum tend to be among the strongest of any album and Run Into The Shadows continues that trend. Within moments of the whole band joining Rick Benton’s keyboard introduction, the song already displays all the hallmarks of the classic Magnum sound – it really could not be anyone else. Never one to shy away from difficult topics, Clarkin again tackles the subject of war. Don’t want to play your war games/ Or see those bullets fly / To end in desolation / Before my very eyes. A strong statement both musically and lyrically, it is already destined to become a fan favourite.
Throughout the album there are songs concerning how we deal with the wide range of problems that we are presented with both personally and politically in everyday life. “You never quite know where or how an idea originates, but the many different countries we’ve travelled, our decades of artistic experience and also our interest in what’s happening on our planet have definitely all played a part.” It is always interesting to try to interpret the lyrics of any band (at least for those for whom the lyrics are an important part of fully understanding any song) but Clarkin prefers listeners to come to their own conclusions about their deeper meaning. “Over the years hearing some records that were my favourite songs at the time and then only much later did I ever discover that the meaning of the song was totally different to what I thought it was. So I´m sort of protective about explaining the meaning of songs that I´ve written because it can actually spoil a person´s enjoyment.”
A range of excellent drummers, keyboardists and bassists (some of whom have had a significant impact of the band’s sound at the time) have graced Magnum’s ranks, but it is the ever-present duo of Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin who have been the lynchpins behind their prolonged success. The pair are clearly as close as they have ever been, however, there is also a camaraderie that extends throughout the current line-up and the process of recording the album seemed to be tremendously organic, as Clarkin describes, “Everyone played their part without me dictating anything. Everyone just instinctively played what their inspiration told them.”
First single, Blue Tango, is an up-tempo rocking number which channels moments of Status Quo. Further evidencing Clarkin’s penchant for profound lyrics, the song touches upon the subject of navigating through difficult times, the loss of something precious and the pain that comes with such experiences. There's a pain you're reeling in / You don't let it show / Well it's not a deadly sin / You won't let it go / Get you down and you can't sleep / Almost every black night / Cause you're sinking far too deep / Really out of your sight. Clarkin is a master of skilfully balancing the juxtaposition between appealing music and lyrics that invite deeper listening. Blue Tango is perfectly titled – musically energetic and vibrant, lyrically longing for connection and emotional release.
Here Comes The Rain stands proud alongside many of the albums that the band have issued since reforming and long-time fans will be pleased to know that it perfectly balances many elements of the band’s pre-hiatus sound with the path they have been forging so successfully in the past ten years or so. Here Comes The Rain is a consistently effective and engaging album and there are a few of tracks that have already become favourites during the writing of this review. Along with Run Into The Shadows, After The Silence, while just four and a half minutes long, has the feel of an ambitious, sweeping epic in traditional Magnum fashion. Bob Catley, at 76 years of age, gives an amazing heartfelt and passionate performance – as he does throughout the album - to rival many a younger vocalist and the calm, thoughtful verses and stirring, dynamic chorus means After The Silence is sure to become a live favourite – the band should definitely include this in the setlist for their tour set to begin in Spring 2024. Sitting perfectly on this album and simultaneously reminiscent of older material, it would not be out of place on Sleepwalking or Rock Art.
Also of note is The Day He Lied. Tony Clarkin might write all the songs but the strength of the band has always been the contributions of every member and nowhere is that team ethos more vividly demonstrated than on this inspiring and commanding track - every member of the band has the opportunity to impress. Driven by drummer Lee Morris (on his fourth Magnum album) and Dennis Ward on bass (his third album), it is another track that (with its woah woah sing-along ending) would unite the crowd at any gig.
Second single, The Seventh Darkness (set for release on 3rd January 2024) treads perhaps overly familiar territory (although they do it so well) for Magnum: the mid-paced rocker - which they have revisited many times during their latter-day albums. However, contributions from Chris ‘BeeBe’ Aldridge (saxophone) and Nick Dewhurst (trumpet) bring a different feel to the song and Tony Clarkin definitely valued their input. “The recordings were great fun, especially the moment when Chris’s sax took the lead and my guitar responded. A real highlight on this album!”
That natural feeling of togetherness resounds throughout the album. Rick Benton (now appearing on his fourth Magnum album) in particular is completely at home with his role and there are a number of joyful moments and thoughtful musical sections from him to be found here – some ethereal, some electrifying but all seamlessly performed: the ending to Borderline (the last song of the album), the quieter moments of Some Kind of Treachery and the entirety of I Wanna Live (which also features one of the best guitar solos on the album) to pick out just three.
Although Magnum do not explore much unfamiliar territory on Here Comes The Rain, it should be no surprise that it contains a number of arresting and moving songs. Broken City, with Bob Catley accompanied throughout by strings and harp, brings necessary balance to the album and lyrically explores the devastation brought to so many by conflict. No children playing / In the distance just the gunfire / As someone’s name is carved in stone / No dancers swaying through the night / No place to call home / Some people dare to walk alone. It is a contender for one of the most poignant tracks they have ever recorded.
Some fans inevitably compare any new album by long-standing bands to the ‘classics’. Albums such as Chase The Dragon, On A Storyteller’s Night, Vigilante or Wings of Heaven resonate so heavily with fans because many of them discovered these classics during their formative years. Commercially, the band’s premier league days may be behind them, that should in no way be taken as a reflection of the standard of music they produce today. Much like a master’s football team, they can still show much younger players that class is permanent - they are remarkably consistent and Here Comes The Rain (featuring another fantastic cover by Rodney Matthews including an avian attack on the reverse – which Clarkin believes to be a great allegory) is a worthy addition to their legacy. Few bands manage to have one continually successful period. Magnum, who surely now have achieved regal status amongst the stalwarts of British rock, have had two - we should treasure them. Prepare for the rain….
Written: 9th December 2023
First single Blue Tango is out now – watch the video below.
Second single The Seventh Darkness will be released on 3rd January 2024.
Here Comes The Rain will be released on 12th January 2024
Good to read your thoughts. I've not been offered a review copy over at Real Gone, but that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be a review there at a later date.