Having been a fan of Deep Purple for over 50 years, I was delighted to have the chance to listen to their latest album a week before my Super-deluxe-box-with-everything edition arrives. That’s not to say I’m blind to their occasional missteps, so I can still be objective.
This is the first release with Simon McBride taking over the role of guitar genius Steve Morse… there was no trepidation on my part as I was already well aware of Simon’s skills from his solo releases and I could easily see him fitting right in with Purple’s hard rock ethos. Spoiler alert – I was right!
Press releases have been shouting the “back to the 70s” feel of the new album, having listened to it several times I find it hard to disagree. There is also no doubt that this is very much an up-to-date heavy-rock album.
I could go on for hours about the sheer brilliance of Paice and Glover laying the foundation for well structured and crafted songs; or the way Gillan’s vocals may not be ‘Child In Time’ anymore, but they still carry the passion, bite, humour and depth he has always mastered. Airey plays a less blaring part than on previous albums and brings the subtlety, flair and colour we’ve become used to. As for Simon, he fits right in and stamps his own character seamlessly onto the Purple palette.
So, the music: the highlights are many but (for now) my picks are the supreme ‘I’ll Catch You’ where Simon’s wizardry will dispel any doubters. It’s a slow(ish) subtle song with many layers to uncover and enjoy. The excellently titled ‘Old-Fangled Thing’ is a romp that evokes many Purple eras and the Airy/McBride interplay is a joy with a great solo and lyrics that show Gillan hasn’t lost his touch either. ‘A Bit On the Side’ is Morse era but with a new edge. ‘Bleeding Obvious’ is perfection in the way it makes the classic new and exciting. There is a ballad… ’If I Were You’ displays growling Hammond and oh-so-clever bass lines and guitar work as Gillan pours on the passion. The heft of ‘Sharp Shooter’ is lightened by some subtle backing vocals that work well, although the ingenious moog solo would be better if it had been Hammond or Rhodes it still fits neatly together.
In summary, there isn’t a duff track here, each track has something significant to say, musically and lyrically. I am one of the few to be underwhelmed by Bob Ezrin’s production style but here it sounds to me that he hasn’t interfered as much as usual and this therefore is a Deep Purple album that thrills from beginning to end. It may be a swansong as, apart from young upstart Simon at a mere 45 years old, the rest of the guys are in their 70s…hopefully, this revitalised lineup will finish yet another long tour and get straight back in the studio and deliver another fine example of rock like it should be.
