Magnus Rosén Band – It’s Time to Rock the World Review

Magnus Rosén was the bassist for HammerFall from 1997 to 2007, a band that I respect very much. So, for this reason I gave his album “It’s Time to Rock the World” a try. Well, first of all, it’s a great thing that I have as a rule to listen to an album more than once to review it. To be plain if it were only for album welcomer “The world and times” and its too 1970s funky mood I would never review “It’s Time to Rock the World.” It’s also a great thing that I read the press release before writing a review or when I find something that doesn’t fit that calls my attention since I stranged a lot opening track as I said before. Second track “Glitter and Blood” was okay with a Hard Rock grip much more what I expected from a musician that played for a powerhouse band like HammerFall. That song gave me a breath to go on with the album that by that time I was thinking it was so weird with a musical direction so very far from Metal music. That’s when I decided to read the press release to get what was really going on with the album. Before that, I heard a very honest cover of The Beatles “Something” a song I really like so much and brings me lots of memories because The Beatles were the first Rock band that I really liked. However, following track “Circus” raised my eyebrowns with its so pop wrapping and almost dance instrumentals. That was when I decided to read the press release and I discovered this album is a cover album which covers lots of musical influences Magnus Rosén has. That explained everything. It’s fair to give a different approach to a cover album even more if its songs are mostly very far from Metal music. I’ll admit that I was so close to not review it. It was Magnus’s name that made me review it even though I didn’t like most of the songs covered here.

Frankly “It’s Time to Rock the World” is a hodgepodge of musical influences. I’ll warn the HammerFall fan that there is only one song from the band covered here which is “Hearts on fire” from 2002’s “Crimson Thunder” album. As a cover album from such different musical directions the album has its ups and downs depending on the song  covered and the wrapping the band gave to it. Some were really cool as Rolling Stones’s “Street Fighting Man” which is a real up. Bill Witters’s “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone” received a remarkable cover that maintained its sweet and delicate soul. That’s also an upvote. The wrapping he gave to Abba’s “The Winner Takes It All” – yeah, my dear child of the night you’re reading it right it’s really that song – is pretty decent if you close your eyes and imagine it’s other’s band song. Sorry, I really can’t stand Abba. It’s too much for me. But the cover is good and well performed. The burning question is if Magnus really likes the song or it’s a joke. I don’t know what to think. No questions asked.

I guess Magnus Rosén knew all the risks envolved being a former HammerFall member who decided to record an album with such diversified songs. I’d say that the album has more ups than downs and the downs are for song from bands I really can’t stand. My honest opinion is that the outcome is good but, to be real fair, I don’t know if other Metal fans will like it.

P.S.: The time here is outstanding featuring, for instance, Toni Martin and Stefan Blomquist.

Magnus Rosén Band “It’s Time to Rock the World” will be released on April 21st via X World / Sound Pollution.

Track Listing:

1. It’s Time to Rock the World
2. Glitter and Blood
3. Something
4. Circus
5. Hearts on fire
6. Terminator
7. Paperplane
8. Street Fighting Man
9. The Winner Takes It All
10. Dressed to Kill
11. Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone

Watch “Glitter and Blood” official music video here:

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