MAGNUM - 'Here Comes The Rain'

‘Run Into the Shadows’ is the perfect introduction, a song so irrefutably Magnum, from the sparkling keyboards, to the irresistible chorus, it’s impossible not to love. ‘Here Comes the Rain’ follows, and though there’s a sense of melancholy permeating this title track, there’s also an undeniable catchiness. A similar feeling persists through ‘Some Kind of Treachery’ and ‘After the Silence’, the latter echoing material from ‘The Serpent Rings’ with its beautiful orchestral flourishes. It’s quite incredible that after 50 years, Tony Clarkin is still capable of penning such absorbing songs that transport the listener to fantastical worlds.

Lead single ‘Blue Tango’ is an upbeat rocker that improves with every listen and injects a significant change of pace. With a persistent riff, lovely harmonies, and a wonderful interlude where the band go full Deep Purple, it brings real energy at the halfway mark. And it only gets better from here. ‘The Day He Lied’ is a masterpiece of atmospheric beauty that showcases Bob Catley’s vocals at his best. Disregard what you’ve been told; this is a man who’s still got it. And, if you’re still unconvinced, ‘Broken City’ should change your mind. It’s an unusually delicate track, restrained, Catley’s voice allowed to take centre stage on a backdrop of softly plucked strings. 

The experimentation with brass that worked so well on 2022 single ‘No Steppin’ Stones’ is taken further by ‘The Seventh Darkness’; fast-paced and gloriously overblown with a show-stopping saxophone solo, it’s certainly a standout and one of the more unusual tracks of recent years. ‘I Wanna Live’ is anthemic, and ‘Borderline’ a truly grand finale, driven by a pulsing, percussive riff and boasting a spectacular instrumental section in the second half.  

With touring plans derailed by the sad announcement of Tony Clarkin’s spinal condition, find consolation in these new tunes. ‘Here Comes the Rain’ is released on the 12th January and deserves to be your first favourite album of 2024.