Birmingham classic rockers, MAGNUM, released their 23^rd full-length album, “Here Comes the Rain,” on January 12, 2024 via SPV on Steamhammer Records. Five days later founding member and guitarist Tony Clarkin passed away at the age of 78. Here comes the rain, indeed. But it was a hell of a run. Over 50 years the band released 23 full-length albums, went through a shedload of lineup changes, suffered losses of several band members, and even broke up for five years during which time they released two albums as HARD RAIN. Through it all the band has remained devoted to rock ‘n’ roll and their fans to them.

The cover art of “Here Comes the Rain” is by Rodney Matthews who has done numerous pieces for the band over their long career. It depicts a wizard figure walking into the wind, tattered umbrella held against rising force, sturdy bag of holding strapped to his side. Guarding him is a boy with a sling shot and an attentive canine companion. A full orange moon points the way forward with an ethereal gesture. It is reminiscent of the Fool card in the classic Rider-Waite Tarot deck which symbolizes beginnings, freedom, innocence, and adventure. Befitting.

The album itself comprises ten tracks and just cracks the 50-minute mark. The songs range from Prog explorations to stirring ballads to solid rocking numbers. Nowhere does it get really heavy—though tracks like “Run Into The Shadows” and “Blue Tango” try—but rather keeps to the moderate rock side.

The best tracks come in the second half of the album with “The Day He Lied,” “I Wanna Live” and “Borderline.” It’s almost as if they were warming up in the first half and then seriously delivered in the second half. You can also throw into that mix “The Seventh Darkness,” the second single from the album, featuring a brass section, courtesy of guest musicians Chris ‘BeeBe’ Aldridge (saxophone) and Nick Dewhurst (trumpet). It makes for some interesting listening—and viewing. Check out the video link below.  

It was a tough day when Tony passed but we have tremendous catalogue to recall his legacy. “Here Comes The Rain” feels like the last letter he wrote to us. Listen to it in good health and with fond memories. Rock is dead, long live rock.