MAGNUM Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow
SPV (2007)
Magnum return with possibly their most intricate album with regards to production and instrumentation.
They really have put the pomp back into rock on this little beauty!
Keyboards player Mark Stanway really gives the album that extra edge of gloss and you will be worn out with all the air keyboard solos I can tell you!
Drummer Jimmy Copley fits seamlessly into the overall Magnum sound as well, this being his studio debut release with the band.
Highlights? Where to start? 'When We were Young' is a grand opening statement with lush keys and a great drum sound with Tony Clarkin's guitars giving just the right amount of hard rock edge to the music.
'Be Strong' with its neat percussion and guitar riff is another stand out, along with the big ballad 'Inside Your Head'.
Bob Catley always had come to the fore on the big production numbers and he is in fine voice on this one. 'Desperate Times' harks back to the 'Vigilante' album, with a clean, crisp sound and very keyboard led.
The rocky 'Dragons Are Real' you can see becoming a live favourite, along with 'Eyes Wide Open'.
The album follows on naturally from the last two albums 'Brand New Morning' and 'Breath Of Life', with the emphasis on a big, rounded production coupled with Clarkin's consummate songwriting.
What with a Rodney Matthews cover to admire and discover whilst listening to this album, Magnum fans are in for a real treat.
*****
Review by Jason Ritchie
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