Rock Art (album)
| Rock Art | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Magnum | ||||
| Released | July 1994 | |||
| Recorded |
Magnum Studios Birmingham United Kingdom 1994 | |||
| Genre |
Rock Melodic rock Progressive rock | |||
| Length | 55:00 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Producer | Tony Clarkin | |||
| Magnum chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Rock Art | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Rock Art is the 11th studio album by the British melodic rock band Magnum and was released in 1994 by EMI.
Following on from Magnum's experimentation on Keeping the Nite Light Burning, Rock Art took a contemporary approach with stripped down arrangements; blues, rock and roll and soul elements were incorporated into their sound. The radical changes employed in Magnum's sound since Keeping the Nite Light Burning and Rock Art can be considered as Tony Clarkin's attempt to move away from Magnum's sound and style established with the On A Storyteller's Night, Vigilante, Wings Of Heaven and Goodnight L.A. albums, and perhaps even a reaction to grunge, Britpop and indie rock.
Clarkin said, "This is the nearest we've got to the "ballsier" side of Magnum live onto record. Rock Art is the best sounding album we've ever recorded, Bob's vocal performance has been stretched even further this time and everyone has had the freedom to play what they wanted to play."
Two singles were released from the album, "The Tall Ships" and "Back In Your Arms Again". However, they were only distributed in Germany.
"On Christmas Day" is a reflection on the First World War Christmas truce in December 1914, involving French, Scottish and German soldiers.
Track listing
All tracks written by Tony Clarkin.
| Original 1994 release | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "We All Need To Be Loved" | 5:05 |
| 2. | "Hard Hearted Woman" | 3:49 |
| 3. | "Back In Your Arms Again" | 5:59 |
| 4. | "Rock Heavy" | 3:58 |
| 5. | "The Tall Ships" | 5:06 |
| 6. | "Tell Tale Eyes" | 4:52 |
| 7. | "Love's A Stranger" | 5:11 |
| 8. | "Hush-A-Bye Baby" | 4:48 |
| 9. | "Just This Side of Heaven" | 4:20 |
| 10. | "I Will Decide Myself" | 4:15 |
| 11. | "On Christmas Day" | 7:10 |
Singles
The Tall Ships CD (1994)
- "The Tall Ships" [edit] - 3:55
- "The Tall Ships" [LP version] - 5:06
- "Hard Hearted Woman" [LP version] - 3:49
- "You Don't Have To Be Baby To Cry" (Tony Clarkin) [B-side] - 5:24
Back In Your Arms Again CD (1994)
- "Back In Your Arms Again" [LP version] - 5:59
- "Hush-A-Bye Baby" [LP version] - 4:48
- "Don't Start Me Talking" (Sonny Boy Williamson) [B-side] - 2:41
- "Big Hunk O' Love" (Aaron Schroeder and Sid Wyche) [B-side] - 2:59
Personnel
- Tony Clarkin - guitar
- Bob Catley - vocals
- Wally Lowe - bass guitar
- Mark Stanway - keyboards
- Mickey Barker - drums
Additional musicians
- Jacki Graham - backing vocals
- Mo Birch - backing vocals
- P.J. Wright - pedal steel guitars
Production
- Arranged by Magnum
- Engineered and mixed by Stephen Harris
- Sound engineer - Mike Cowling
- Recorded at Abbey Road, London, and Zella Studios, Birmingham
- Artwork by Eleanor Smith
- Photography by Simon Harding Photography
- Electronic design & art direction — BAVIEmage
- Rock Art was recorded on 3M 996 tape
References
External links
- www.magnumonline.co.uk — Official Magnum site