Album Review - Thunder - The Magnificent Seventh

In 1990 Thunder released their debut album, the critically acclaimed "Backstreet Symphony" and also had the opening slot at Donnington's "Monsters of Rock Festival". The band quickly became popular in Europe and American readers might recognize the single Dirty Love, which was the band's breakthrough in the US.

The band's success was descending in time with every album release. And even though they put out solid albums Thunder never fully captured the magic of their 2 first albums. Thunder became disillusioned and frustrated and split up for a few years. The comeback album "Shooting at the Sun" did capture the charisma and same passion of the 2 first albums. The record was probably my personal favorite record of 2003 and a record that stands very strong in my collection for several reasons. To this day I still play it regularly.

The amazing "Shooting at the Sun" also renewed the interest in the band and therefore my expectations to "The Magnificent Seven" were sky high.

Thunder still consist of the original four members. The bass slot has always been a swing door with various players. However, it seems Chris Childs is the bass player for Thunder.

Again on "The Magnificent Seventh" Thunder's formula is the well known; melodic appealing songs, soulful vocals and amazing guitars - all build on the classic British Rock bands of the seventies. The album doesn't stand as strong as the first two albums or "Shooting at the Sun". There are too many standard songs on the album to reach the same level. Songs like One Foot in The Grave, The Pride and first single I Love You more than Rock 'N' Roll are all decent rock tunes but they lack the hooks that Thunder master.

"The Magnificent Seventh" is a very solid album with Monkey See, Monkey Do as the only weak track. The guitar has a special twang and emotion, which is quite cool - but the song goes nowhere.

I always had a soft spot for Thunder's ballad side. Again they deliver two breathtaking ballads - I'm Dreaming Again has Danny Bowes singing his heart out and Luke Morley providing emotional guitar. I keep finding new elements and emotions on Together Or Apart - its a song that keeps progressing and slowly becoming my favorite track only surpassed by Amy's On The Run.

Amy's On The Run is the album's melodic pearl. The riff from Morley is splashing melodic and the chorus excellent. Ben Matthews and Luke Morley ends the song by both playing the melody line in a cool twin guitar way.

Fade Into The Sun is another up tempo "tongue in cheek" irresistible song. You can't avoid tipping your toe to this fantastic song. The track has an amazing guitar solo as well and overall the song just proves how tight Thunder are. Thunder possesses a special chemistry within the band that makes most of their songs and, Fade into the Sun in particular, rock.

You Can't Keep A Good Man Down is a positive happy rocker. The album closer One Fatal Kiss is co-written with Russ Ballard, but still has Morley's touch all over it. The mid-tempo rocker is another album highlight and once again Morley proves that he master to incorporate a solo into the song and making it a unit - but still the solo adds an extra flavor to the song.

On the last album Danny Bowes stole the spotlight with his heartfelt and emotional singing. This time Luke Morley is all over the album and overall "The Magnificent Seventh" is a bit more up-tempo and happy than "Shooting at the Sun". Luke Morley also produced it and provided the album, and especially the guitars, with an incredible sound.

Thunder's seventh studio album is once again a fine addition to the Thunder catalogue. It's rated just below the classic Thunder albums but still has all plenty of melodic songs, quite a few fast paced rockers, soaring melodies and soulful ballads.

Written by Michael
Sunday, March 6, 2005
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Ratings

Michael: 7/10

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