Magnum

"Breath Of Life"
(SPV Records)

The UK's, Magnum, first formed in the mid-seventies and were on hand for the NWOBHM dominance that followed, though weren't quite up to speed in that regard. Listeners today will find that little has changed within the band-the bare essentials are pooled together again with the reformation of Catley, Clarkin, and Stanway some eight years after their last "Rock Art" release. Those getting a first taste will hear a mature band still inspired by the grandeur of Rock music and the romance of the lyric, both harmoniously fitted within twelve new tracks and no fancy remakes. They are an acquired taste, however, and stray barely a few feet from home on any one of these songs, generally genuine and storybook in their feel, and sometimes a little too arthritic in their movements. They're passable considering their desire, but it's a little like flipping between the afternoon soaps and simply substituting one character for another when the scene shifts. Songs like "This Heart," "Everyday," the power ballad-almost feel a bit loopy even referring it as such again but it is what it is-"Dream About You," as well as the more majestic leanings of the title track are all touching and tender from the onset, smooth and easy gallops through the rose pedals without a trace of impending thorns, and nothing if not uplifting and mildly irritating. Opening track, "Cry" is a poor selection and if not removed altogether, could've swapped rank with songs seven or eight, "After The Rain," or "That Holy Touch," either of which get the events started with a more rousing fire as opposed to the weak whisper of the stiff opening choice. Magnum's good at what they do, let it be known, it's just that not all of what their style's composed of, with their choir-like CS&N type crescendos and bright blue view is compatible to the heavier expectation synonymous with the returning hungry wolf on the prowl for approval. A higher degree AOR than Prog-influenced, Triumph over Uriah in this regard, and Styx-like in their atmospheric prescience, "Breath Of Life's" occasionally short of breath, if not depth, and overall a respectable enough return to the colorful landscape they left many silver moons ago.

More from the Online Metal Journal