Album review: CLIF MAGNESS- Lucky Dog
Release Date 13.07.18
Clif (short for Clifton) Magness may not be a household name, but is one of those respected songwriters essential to the music business. His collaborations have covered artists as diverse as Steve Perry and Avril Lavigne, co-writing much of the Canadian punk popstrel’s multi million selling debut ‘let Go’.
Taking a break from his writing and production schedule he has released only his second solo album and first in nearly a quarter of a century. With the exception of son Evan providing a few guitar solos, it is a solo effort in every sense of the word, but the opener ‘Ain’t No Way’ is a revelation, with a Van Halen vibe and raspy, gang-style vocals that you might not expect from the figure with receding hair and a neat grey goatee staring out from the album cover.
‘Don’t Look Now’ is another uptempo melodic rocker with lively guitar work, but the album’s crowning glory is ‘Unbroken’, a gloriously melodic, mid-pocket mix of Chicago, Def Leppard, Glen Burtnick and ELO which may well end up being my song of the year. In a similar vein, ‘Maybe’ is not far behind with the vocal arrangement again reminding me of 80’s Chicago, and having been co-written with fellow songwriter to the stars Kara DioGuardi, may end up in the hands of a famous pop act.
‘Love Needs a Heart’ has a rare guest appearance, from Robin Beck who sings the second line of the chorus in a way which again shows off Clif’s way with a melody, though it is sandwiched by two rather average songs in ‘Like You’ and ‘Nobody But You’.
‘Shout’ is an agreeably raucous rocker with a guest solo from noted guitarist Tommy Denander, though this is a very diverse album rather than purely a heavy rock one, and so it is that two mellower, atmospheric songs in ‘Rain’ and ‘My Heart’ close the album, either side of ‘All Over My Mind’ which also has some Leppard-esque vocal arrangements.
While a little patchy, the highs on this album are very high indeed and proof that good songwriting is an art only the finest can master.
****
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: SUNDAY 26 MAY
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 26 May 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 28 May 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 10 June 2024
BASTION ROSE (Epictronic Records)
VOODOO RAMBLE Midnight Ride (indie)
BYWATER CALL As If (indie)
ESCAPE THE PARADIGM Cold (Curtain Call Records)
DEFENCES Gold In The Dark (indie)
BRAVE RIVAL Fairytale (indie)
MOJO ACES Old Crow (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 10 June 2024
09:00-12:00 NESTOR Teenage Rebel (Napalm Records)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 MIRACLE MILE East Of Ely (indie)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
Please note that as at 12.06.24 the X/Twitter embedded timeline appears to be broken. Please click the text link until this is resolved.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections