Thunder
The Magnificient Seventh

THE REVIEW

Despite its title, this is without a doubt the worst album by Thunder among the nine released so far (this number excluding greatest hits, collections of leftovers and alternative versions, live albums, etc.): the sound is always the same (excellent), there are no experiments, diversifications, or oddities, but simply the inspiration is lacking, and so are memorable songs. This does not detract from the fact that the work is more than decent, the artistic nadir of a quintet which, even this time, does not lack honesty, charm, energy, and musical skill. If only there were more albums like this!... three stars of understanding sufficiency are the least these capable Londoners deserve, even caught in a phase of poor creative form.

Yet the music kicks off brilliantly with a successful, overflowing reinterpretation of the most orthodox, shake-your-booty rock'n'roll there is: "I Love You More Than Rock'n'Roll" is nothing less than a new authentic anthem for the genre. The subdued beginning is masterful, with the instruments holding back and singer Danny Bowes delivering the first verse without pushing, like a beginner. Only to then explode with full force in the attack of the second verse, supported by his four companions who crank up the volume knobs and start hitting hard. Maximum dynamics and maximum fun in this shamelessly flattering, perfect recycling of that epochal musical intuition and invention from the mid-last century that has contributed so much to the cause of fun and the sense of freedom applied to music (and beyond).

The song instantly ranks among the group's most popular, especially on stage, given its communicative and sunlit ironic power... it's a pity that the rest of the album has nothing that even comes close! Lots of craftsmanship, good energy, the usual mix of rock blues occasionally spiced with funk and suitably interspersed with masculine and tense ballads that hold the prelude and finale with just the acoustic guitar, but in the middle love to light the fuse and charge up with electricity, distortion, screams, and more. However, the truly catchy sing along choruses, the devastatingly powerful dual guitar riffs, the sparkling arrangement ideas are missing... Thunder at their best, in short.

The band will indeed disband again following the promotional tour for this album, to recharge their batteries and return in top form in the following "Robert Johnson’s Tombstone". We will discuss it at the appropriate time.