HARD RAIN (Magnum members) – Hard Rain [Expanded Edition] *HQ* out of print

As requested, here’s the Magnum spin-off HARD RAIN, the band formed in 1996 by guitarist / songwriter Tony Clarkin and vocalist Bob Catley when Magnum momentarily split a year before. HARD RAIN released two albums, and disbanded when Magnum reformed in 2001.
The first album, self-titled “Hard Rain“, has been reissued in this ”Expanded Edition”, remastered and including bonus tracks.
After Magnum split up, Tony invited Bob to help him finish off a few demos. The demo secured a record deal with German label Sophomore GmbH, so they made the decision to form a new band, rather than re-form Magnum. While a full band was assembled and Hard Rain did successful tour presenting the album, the studio recording is essentially Clarkin / Catley performing all instruments and vocals, with female Sue McCloskey contributing backing vocals
Musically this is very similar to Magnum late Eighties / early Nineties in terms of sound, with some surprises here and there.

The vocals are distinctly Catley, and Clarkin’s songs are superb as ever. But don’t go expecting a full Magnum sound – that’s why the duo formed this other band, Hard Rain.
There are similarities, but this is less pomp & circumstance without Magnum’s fantastic imagery and a more straight hard rock affair with a polished and slightly commercial edge. However, it’s too full bodied to be considered commercial in the American sense.

Opener ‘Rage On’ is a classic sounding song, there’s bluesy melodies on ‘Stop Me From Loving You’, ‘Different Kind of Love’ is pretty Magnum, then ‘Shame For The Bad Boy’ is more anthemic with a cool tribal drum sound. The intricate keyboards bolster the sound well. Even the ballads sound good.
A must listen for Magnum fans and fans of classic Brit melodic hard rock.

01 – Rage On
02 – Shame for the Bad Boy
03 – You’d Start a Fight
04 – Stop Me From Loving You
05 – Looking for a Way
06 – Cry Cry Cry
07 – I Must Have Been Blind
08 – Perpetual Commotion
09 – Different Kind of Love
10 – Another Nice Mess
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – That Ain’t Love
12 – Stop Me From Loving You (Single Version)

Tony Clarkin – guitar
Bob Catley – vocals
Al Barrow – bass
Rob Barrow – drums
Paul Hodson – keyboards
Sue McCloskey – backing vocals

Sold out:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014I5QERU