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""Lost On The Road To Eternity" allows Magnum to continue to charm us with their melodic hard rock with 70's roots."
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4/5
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Forty years of career is something to celebrate and Magnum, for this memorable occasion, offers us its twentieth album in this year 2018 which is just beginning to blossom. 1978 and "Kingdom Of Madness" are so far away and yet seem so close, so much the English have accompanied our lives since then by visiting us with a regularity that forces respect. "Lost On The Road To Eternity" is a new white stone on the path traced by these rock giants, a new proof of the constancy they show in their quest for eternity.
Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin, the combo's two founding mates, are of course always on the move with Al Barrow on the four strings, but they have lost two of their faithful companions along the way. Indeed, Mark Stanway has entrusted his keyboards to Rick Benton and Harry James - very busy with his two other combos Thunder and Snakecharmer - has bequeathed his drumsticks to Lee Morris (ex-Paradise Lost). The love story with Rodney Matthews, the brilliant graphic designer, is still relevant today, proof of this is the magnificent cover which illustrates this album and which, once again, accurately portrays the particular atmospheres that the English people permeate their compositions.
"Lost On The Road To Eternity" doesn't start this opus in the most sparkling way. The ZZ Top-like rhythmics of 'Peaches And Cream', the relative simplicity of the repetitive melody of its refrain and the dated sound of the keyboards make the choice to open the work in such a non-shimmering way surprising. But be reassured, the suite is flawless, or almost. The listener finds the magic of the English in the next track, a 'Show Me Your Hands' with great keyboards (apart from the few seconds worthy of Space Art). 'Storm Baby' also deserves its four stars and, in the mixed ballad/mid-tempo register that the combo masters so well, brings us back to the blessed era of "The Eleventh Hour".
'Welcome To The Cosmic Cabaret' and its profusion of melodies also takes us back to the roots. On this track, the complicity between Clarkin and his new keyboard mate is bluffing, as if they've been mixing their talents for years. The title track on the album immediately catches the listener's attention, captured by the magic of a magnificent piano and the voice of Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia), invited to share this exceptional musical track.
Then comes the single from the album, a rather FM 'Without Love', which would have been suitable for radio stations several years before. 'Tell Me What You've Got To Say' is perfect in its genre with its twirly mid-tempo and its catchy chorus. 'Ya Wanna Be Someone' has, in its continuation, the flaw of the first track, a verse that gives envy but a chorus that repeats itself with boredom in abundance. As for the rather unfortunate gospel impulses, they may surprise some people.
Fortunately, 'Forbiden Masquerade' and 'Glory To Ashes', which seem to come from a "The Eleventh Hour" make the "musical happiness" cursor soar. This one remains blocked in high position with the really convincing finale that 'King Of The World' offers us and its conclusion that leaves on our faces a blissful smile of satisfaction.
Magnum came, Magnum saw and Magnum won again. "Lost On The Road To Eternity" is a successful new opus by the British. One would almost hope they'd be immortal. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Peaches And Cream 02. Show Me Your Hands 03. Storm Baby 04. Welcome To The Cosmic Cabaret 05. Lost On The Road To Eternity 06. Without Love 07. Tell Me What You've Got To Say 08. Ya Wanna Be Someone 09. Forbidden Masquerade 10. Glory To Ashes 11. King Of The World
LINEUP:
Al Barrow: Basse Bob Catley: Chant Lee Morris: Batterie Rick Benton: Claviers Tony Clarkin: Guitares Tobias Sammet: Chant / Invité
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READERS
4.2/5 (4 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (3 view(s))
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