Princess What?

Blimey, the postman has come up trumps today, with promo copies of the new Magnum and Saxon albums, plus a Helloween live album. Not a bad haul for one day compared to the usual dross that clutters up the letterbox. I've not had a chance to listen to it all, but the new Magnum album sounds superb. Quite heavy in parts but still having that pomp, fist-waving edge that makes them such a euphoric band to see live. But, what were they thinking with the album's title? Are you sitting down? Beer in hand ready to dull the pain? Well just don't spray the Stella over the keyboard OK?

The new album is called 'Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow'! Why not call it 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' or 'A Hobbit's Second Breakfast' and lose all credibility? But what the hell. It sounds great, so balls to the comedy title. Then again, there's a song called 'Dragons Are Real' which hints that Tony Clarkin has gone all Ronnie James Dio on us. But there's some great sleeve art - well, if you like that kind of thing- which if my addled brain is right was created by their old artist in crime, Rodney Matthews.