British rock legends, Magnum have been working on the songs for this their 13th studio album for more than a year, and it tells. 'Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow' is another sonic experience from Tony Clarkin (Guitars), Bob Catley (Vocals), Mark Stanway (Keyboards), Al Barrow (Bass) and new guy behind the drum kit Jimmy Copley.

Tony Clarkin is in my humble opinion one of the most underrated song writers in modern rock music today. But this time he has set the bar too high! Everything from the very cool cover artwork smells like an attempt to capture and re-create the standard set with their to date most complete and best album 'On a Storyteller's Night'. Tony Clarkin has written numerous masterpieces through his career, and the eleven new songs on this album all have the familiar high standard, but I do miss one or two stand-out songs the would lift this album up to the next level.

Magnum has always been truthful to their roots, and this is once more solid craftsmanship from my favorite classic British hard rock band, and the warm sound brings out the best of them once more, but another 'Storyteller' album its not.

Magnum still leaves most of the young competition behind in the dust with this fine collection of classic hard rock songs, but I have hopes and demands for something special when I put on a new Magnum album. This time around they've pleased me, but they haven't thrilled and excited me...