When I first played this new Magnum album, I thought I had feeded the wrong disc to my player. The reason? The first 35 seconds of title song “Brand New Morning” sound so much like AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” that I thought I was listening to “Back In Black” instead. But no, this really is Magnum, with one hell of an opening song, re-introducing a more straightforward sound than on their comeback album “Breath Of Life” from two years ago. No less than 30 songs were written for this new album by songsmith Clarkin and only the best 9 were selected. With a total playing time of over 55 minutes, the new tracks are substantially longer than on its predecessor (which counted 12 tracks!). Although it’s not a concept album, I have the feeling that the songs really fit into the picture this time. Other highlights besides the opener include “The Blue And The Grey” (featuring some hauling axework from Clarkin), “Hard Road” and – last but certainly not least - “The Scarecrow” (9:50), which is one of the best mid-tempo Magnum tracks I’ve heard in quite some time. Let me conclude by saying that it’s nice to find Harry James as a permanent member in the ranks now. We all know him from his great skinswork with Thunder and he’s a real acquisition to Magnum as well. One thing is for sure: “Brand New Morning” confirms the band’s regained joy of playing. Nice one, dudes! (CL)
 

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Jez (on 19/04/07) A big improvement on the disappointing' Breath Of Life'. The opening title track is one of the best they have written in a long time, and the rest ain't bad either. Production is not bad - quite raw sounding in places, but sounds good on the whole. Bob Catley hasn't sounded better in years. Excellent   Emokid (on 21/10/04) just one word... BORING !   AORPOMPY (on 11/10/04) What a band ! They never disappointed me, and once again, they deliver a fine record ! No, not their best, but hey, name me one bad record from these guys ! Classic British melodic hard rock ! Good one !   WOLF 359 (on 12/09/04) Best thing they've done in years - nuff said   AOR Ive (on 6/09/04) For me this band have never released an weak album in their entire career . In the beginning they released several good to very good progressive rock albums and during the mid eighties they had their glory period with 3 melodic rock classics in a row . I also have to say that the albums they made in the late eighties / early nineties had their moments and their comeback album 'Breath of life' also made 5 or 6 spins in my cd player since it was released . I also think this new album is another very good addition to their already impressive discography . Not all the songs are classics in the making , but with 4 world class songs and not one real filler this album will probably end up in my personal top 25 of 2004 and this definitely means something if you see how many good albums we already heard this year and can expect to hear the following months .   Noddy (on 31/08/04) The welcome addition of Thunder’s Harry James on drums ensures a more true hard rock sound than on the drum machine driven predecessor “Breath of Life,” and this coupled with powerful performances from the rest of the band ensure that the epic grandeur of the monster title track and the dynamic piano driven “We All Come Together” are sure to delight anyone who loved old tracks such as “Pray For The Day” and “Days of No Trust.” Elsewhere, the sweeping majesty of “The Blue And The Grey” is sure to prove a future crowd pleaser, with all the typical Magnum imagery. All in all it’s hard to see how this could have been any better.   johnny (on 28/08/04) I am a big Magnum fan and they can do no wrong. I think the album is really strong and Tony Clarkin continues to write memorable songs. I read a review before hearing the album that the production was a bit raw and I have to agree that the production does let the album down. It feels almost live in places and on some tracks it works and on others not. What I do think though is that these songs will go on to form the new live set and replace some of the older songs. Look forward to the tour and hearing these songs live. I also agree that Harry James does a great job.   cradle1scot (on 26/08/04) Ton, you said it all. Totally agree with what you wrote.   Ton (on 22/08/04) A better album than Breath of life. That was very disappointing. This is a good but not a superb album. The production is not very good. It's not a warm sound as on Wings of heaven and On a storytellers night etc. The epic Scarecrow sound most like the old Magnum. Personally I don't like songs as Immigrant son an Hard road. The others are good songs, specially It's time to come together and The Blue and the Grey.

 

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