Quick Reviews: Hannah Wicklund, Magnum, & Any Given Day

Let's do a threesome! Wait a second..... that didn't come out right.

Hannah Wicklund - The Prize

Last year brought us a Graveyard album that dove into the slow and dark side, and this album almost feels like the counterbalance to that one. Hannah's sound is that of the blues, filtered through saturated guitars, but with a layer of bright melody adding depth to that cerulean shade. Hannah's voice is a treat, with a tone that alternates between grit and bellow. She is the anchor for these songs, giving them both the pain and beauty of life, while the guitars bristle with a hint of fuzz. They create a wash of sound she can cut through, like the mint on a pillow that melts into the softness of a cushy bed.

All that would be nice, but for naught, if the songs didn't deliver. That is where Hannah brings in the comparison to Graveyard, as she is in that rare category of bluesy, vintage style artists who can still deliver songs with strong hooks and melodies that beg to be revisited. Whether it's the simplicity of the title track, or the soul-infused thunder of the closing "Sun To Sun", these are songs that are polished to reflect the dirt of the production. It's a perfect blend, and an album that punches well above its weight.

Magnum - Here Comes The Rain

This album is a difficult one to talk about. I was prepared to let it be, as I've talked enough about Magnum over the years, but it's hard to ignore this after the news of Tony Clarkin's passing. It shouldn't come as a shock when someone who has been in the business for roughly fifty years passes on, but to have it come right as their latest album was about to be released felt like cruel timing. That makes this the last Magnum album (or at least it had better be), and it puts someone like me in a tough spot.

Why? Because this Magnum album is not one of the greats. They have been vacillating between really good and disappointing albums for a while, perhaps because of the mechanical regularity at which they were putting them out. Their previous album righted the ship, and was the best record in a long time. This one tried to rock a bit harder, and it simply didn't have the grandeur and the sweeping melodies I want from the band. Yes, I feel a bit sheepish criticizing an album during the band's mourning period, but honesty doesn't become any less honest. I'm just a bit sad my last memory of Magnum is going to be a disappointment, rather than the triumph we had the last time 'round.

Any Given Day - Limitless

When I first heard Any Given Day, I was amazed at how they were able to use a metalcore base to out-Tremonti the solo project from Mark Tremonti. The vocal tone made the comparison impossible for me to ignore, but Any Given Day was heavier when heavy, and hookier when hooky. Their last album was the best bit of metalcore since the classic Killswitch Engage days. This new one, then, has a lot to live up to. I can't say it does.

The pieces are still in place. The heavy parts are still crushing, and there are plenty of radio-friendly choruses for us to love. So what's wrong? It starts with the single "H.A.T.E.", which is rather cringe-worthy, but it seeps into the rest of the record. More than before, I'm hearing echoes of 'bro-ness' that are off-putting. This record sounds much more like a band posturing, puffing out their chest, and trying to whip out how tough and manly they are. That doesn't hold any appeal, and it drags down the good parts of the record for me. This one is a solid record, but it's one not good enough for me to look past the flaws.