These days you’re never to old to rock and roll. Aerosmith is still touring with Steven Tyler a year a way from Social Security, and the Stones are talking about it again, too. Hardly youngsters any more, England’s Magnum returns with eighteenth studio album, On the Thirteenth Day.
This album is representative Magnum: nice melodic rock, sometimes edgy and heavy, sometimes with nods to progressive rock. That’s not a bad thing at all. Familiarity should not breed contempt, as long time fans will certainly dig this album.
I’ve always found Magnum more interesting when they mix a heavier side to more provocative arrangements as on Dance of the Black Tattoo or Broken Promises. Yet, the band can also offer the hooks and accessibility of simple catchy rock with So Let It Rain and the amusing Didn’t Like You Anyway. Magnum is not without some symphonic melancholy as well on Putting Things in Place.
Generally, On the Thirteenth Day is The Visitation part two, or simply Magnum part 18. Their style remains the same and the band sounds great. What more could you ask for? Recommended.
01. All The Dreamers
02. Blood Red Laughter
03. Didn’t Like You Anyway
04. On The 13th Day
05. So Let It Rain
06. Dance Of The Black Tattoo
07. Shadow Town
08. Putting Things In Place
09. Broken Promises
10. see How They Fall
11. From Within’