At long last 2008 begins to gather pace with a glut of releases during March.
Magnum – Wings Of Heaven Live 2007/08
This two disc offering captures the band on last year’s European tour with almost an entire disc dedicated to a live rendering of the entire Wings Of Heaven album, marking the 20th anniversary of its release. Elsewhere tracks from the then newly released Princess Alice & The Broken Arrow more than hold their own against selections from classic albums On A Storyteller’s Night & Vigilante.
With Magnum now in their 32nd year the odd creaky moment is only to be expected, but when everything clicks into place it does so gloriously; as evident here on a snorting version of Pray For The Day.
Rating: Good
The Black Crowes – Warpaint
Magnum – Wings Of Heaven Live 2007/08
This two disc offering captures the band on last year’s European tour with almost an entire disc dedicated to a live rendering of the entire Wings Of Heaven album, marking the 20th anniversary of its release. Elsewhere tracks from the then newly released Princess Alice & The Broken Arrow more than hold their own against selections from classic albums On A Storyteller’s Night & Vigilante.With Magnum now in their 32nd year the odd creaky moment is only to be expected, but when everything clicks into place it does so gloriously; as evident here on a snorting version of Pray For The Day.
Rating: Good
The Black Crowes – Warpaint
After a 7 year break from the studio the Crowes return with another dose of their Stones/Small Faces thing – only this time the medicine has a decidedly Southern-fried flavour. To say that this album sounds like a bunch of good ol’ boys having a good ol’ time is not to diminish it in the slightest – the band seem happy to take whatever musical direction takes their fancy and the result is as strong a collection of back porch American Rock that we’re likely to come across this year.
Rating: Superior
Muse – H.A.A.R.P. Live at Wembley
Recorded on a single night at Wembley Stadium in June 2007 this could well be the career defining live album for the Devon boys. Time will tell if this is Muse’s equivalent of Made in Japan or Live and Dangerous, but there is no doubt that H.A.A.R.P. captures the band at the height of their powers and in a stadium environment that suits their epic, sweeping music. Things may get a little too ‘poppy’ at times but any band that can pull off a performance as powerful as that on Invincible can surely be forgiven the odd indiscretion – even Super Massive Black Hole!
Rating: Good/Superior
Bryan Adams - 11
OK I’ll admit it – Endlessly Rocking likes Bryan Adams. He may purvey harmless bubblegum rock but just try and stop your foot from tapping along and you can actually get your girlfriend/wife/partner to accompany you to an Adam’s gig without resorting to bribery! This not-so-cleverly titled 11th studio album starts reasonably enough with a couple of decent mid-tempo rockers but what follows generally serves only to remind you of what the ‘skip’ button was invented for. Nicely played and smartly produced but still a tepid offering from the normally reliable Canuck.
Rating: Poor
Van Morrison – Keep It Simple
This isn't the album where Van the Man rekindles the flame of Astral Weeks and Moondance, but it is the one where he cuts the crap and gets down to business with a collection of pared down tunes that give Belfast’s finest musical son ample room to exercise his wonderful voice. The perfect accompaniment to the sound of the surf on a long summer night.
Rating: Good
Muse – H.A.A.R.P. Live at Wembley
Recorded on a single night at Wembley Stadium in June 2007 this could well be the career defining live album for the Devon boys. Time will tell if this is Muse’s equivalent of Made in Japan or Live and Dangerous, but there is no doubt that H.A.A.R.P. captures the band at the height of their powers and in a stadium environment that suits their epic, sweeping music. Things may get a little too ‘poppy’ at times but any band that can pull off a performance as powerful as that on Invincible can surely be forgiven the odd indiscretion – even Super Massive Black Hole!Rating: Good/Superior
Bryan Adams - 11
OK I’ll admit it – Endlessly Rocking likes Bryan Adams. He may purvey harmless bubblegum rock but just try and stop your foot from tapping along and you can actually get your girlfriend/wife/partner to accompany you to an Adam’s gig without resorting to bribery! This not-so-cleverly titled 11th studio album starts reasonably enough with a couple of decent mid-tempo rockers but what follows generally serves only to remind you of what the ‘skip’ button was invented for. Nicely played and smartly produced but still a tepid offering from the normally reliable Canuck.Rating: Poor
Van Morrison – Keep It Simple
This isn't the album where Van the Man rekindles the flame of Astral Weeks and Moondance, but it is the one where he cuts the crap and gets down to business with a collection of pared down tunes that give Belfast’s finest musical son ample room to exercise his wonderful voice. The perfect accompaniment to the sound of the surf on a long summer night.
Rating: Good
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