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Rating: Before starting with the review of this wonderful album, I pose a question to you. Do you think magic exists? I really think so. Many of you might think I'm crazy, but try listening to this album Vigilante by Magnum, and you'll change your mind immediately. The band in question was formed in England in 1972 by Bob Catley (vocals) and Tony Clarkin (guitar) and they are (more or less) known for having written pages of undeniable importance for AOR with the trilogy "On A Storyteller's Night" (1985), "Vigilante" (1986), and "Wings Of Heaven" (1988).
Are you ready to begin this fantastic journey full of dreams and magic?
Then let's start with a magnificent opener like the dreamy "Lonely Night", endowed with a very evocative atmosphere, thanks also to Catley's beautiful voice. Note that even though the song is very easy-listening, it can also be appreciated by Hard Rock lovers. This feature can be found in almost all the other tracks on the album. Other dream-rich episodes like "Lonely Night" include the romantic ballad "Need A Lot Of Love", "Midnight (You Won't Be Sleeping)", which makes excellent use of acoustic guitar, "Back Street Kid", which, though not a ballad, manages to recreate the atmosphere of the aforementioned songs, and the magnificent and moving ballad "When The World Comes Down", among the group’s best performances ever.
But don't let this make you think that Magnum is the usual sugary ballad-producing band. On the contrary. There are real Hard Rock gems, such as "Red On The Highway" and "Holy Rider", very reminiscent of Queen (after all, the production features a certain Roger Taylor...), "Sometime Love", and the splendid title track, which showcases an effective guitar-keyboard combination and in which a very energetic drum is present.
This is the end of a great album which, as explained before, along with "On A Storyteller's Night" and "Wings Of Heaven" has deeply influenced AOR.
When magic comes true...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
07 When the World Comes Down (05:22)
Hiding somewhere out of sight, you all right
Feeling, pulled from left to right, you all right
You're been alone again tonight, no one has called
If they had known, I think they might, 'cause you've got it all
There are times it's hard to swallow
When the world comes down on you
May it shine on you tomorrow
And your dreams, they all come true
I hear you crying to yourself, that's not right
And I know you, you need somebody's help for tonight
But you sit alone, turn off your light, feeling so small
You should have known how well you might, you've got it all
There are times it's hard to swallow
When the world comes down on you
May it shine on you tomorrow
And your dreams, they all come true
08 Vigilante (06:39)
Racing in the shadows, the pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying and the children try to sleep
Just another promise, they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the border's got the people running scared
Standing on the corner, never got things done
If you leave your front door open, you'll be the foolish one
No misunderstanding, no honour among thieves
It's a sorry situation, a gun is all you need
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on, there's a new way a-coming
Looks like he's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Standing on the corner, never got things done
If you leave your front door open, you'll be the foolish one
No misunderstanding, no honour among thieves
It's a sorry situation, a gun is all you need
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on, there's a new way a-coming
Looks like he's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Racing in the shadows, the pounding of the feet
While the old men get to praying and the children try to sleep
Just another promise, they don't really care
'Cause the movement on the border's got the people running scared
Go call the vigilante
He'll turn this place upside down
Go call the vigilante
He don't get kicked around
Hold on, there's a new way a-coming
Looks like he's arriving tonight
There's no more hiding or running
There's no more walking on ice
Vigilante - vigilante man
Vigilante - call the vigilante man
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