It’s always easy to get over-excited when one of your favourite bands releases their latest album. God knows, when the wait is over, and the CD flies through the letterbox, or is handed over by the sales-assistant (for you traditionalists), the heart misses a beat and it’s a rush to the CD player and the volume knob gets cranked up all the way to 11.
Then, as many have found out to their annoyance, the joy quickly wears off…all the initial feelings of hope and expectation are replaced by resignation, and the realisation that the pre-release chat of the album being a “return to form”, and “the best thing since…blah blah blah” was just that…chat!!!
The album that Deep Purple released prior to “Rapture of the Deep”, was called “Bananas”…it was preceded with Ian Gillan waxing lyrical, about how Purple still had yet to record their “Sgt Pepper” and that now was the time to deliver. It was to be a statement of intent, in the wake of the departure of founder member Jon Lord. It was to be a return to the sound of yore, with the help of new producer Michael Bradford. A 16 stone black man from Detroit, Michigan with a love of 70’s rock and a self-proclaimed understanding of what it took to get the best out of Deep Purple.
It was however, sadly none of these things…it was solid Deep Purple album. Nothing more, nothing less. Cursed with a production job, that belied Bradford’s claims. It was devoid of the throbbing bottom-end that he referred to endlessly in the build-up to the albums’ release. There are moments where Don Airey, Lords’ replacement is evident, but these are few and far between, though when they occur they add a splash of colour that’s badly required….
The lesson was obviously learnt by the band, for the pre-release chat for this album was minimal. A few song titles had been leaked to press, but that was all.
The same team was present again, Bradford being shown loyalty by Purple….. but the difference in the results is, frankly, startling.
“Rapture of the Deep” is a superb piece of work, from a band that is obviously enjoying working free from the shackles of expectation. The vibe put across is that of the lads (???) simply jamming and letting the producer put the best bits on tape. Everything that had been mooted for “Bananas” is in place here….a superbly beefy sound, reminiscant of their early ‘70’s punch, but with a 2005 sheen to it that makes it apparent that this is no nostalgia trip. The song writing is adventurous and positive, if the song calls for something, then it gets it.’80’s synth sound for a keyboard solo???.You got it! Distorted bass? In it goes!

Everything is taken up a notch. Is it because the line-up had put 2 years of touring behind them? They now knew themselves better as people and musicians. Is the fact that they were free from EMI’s notion of marketing them as a nostalgia act, and putting little behind their new releases? (”Bananas” had sold out of its 25,000 pressing in the UK, and EMI refused to print more!)New label, Edel records, giving them artistic control. Is it because they feel no pressure from themselves? To be honest, whatever it is, they should bottle it.This album is amazing…Opener;” Money talks” is a super start.Gillans’ stream-of-conscious vocal technique giving way to a strong hook and some great guitar from Mr Steve Morse.” Girls Like That” and “Wrong Man” follow…tunes that fit well in Purple’s canon…”Wrong Man” is written for the stage, with its’” Can you hear me out there?” hook…

Then the title track…a cracker in the vein of” Perfect Strangers” with its Eastern vibe and epic structuring. A superb tune.Again, a track that will be amazing live. Everything that Purple try on this album is a resounding success…the softer tunes are light of touch and catchy, when previously they had a tendency to be saccharine sweet, and clumsy.

The riffs are catchier than on recent outings, the “jammy” aspects of the band are there for us all to enjoy, the individual performances are incredible. Each of the players on show is confident and at ease, letting his playing always aid the song, and nothing more.
Gillan is his usual superb self. To these ears; he’s the finest lyricist in Rock music. From “Deep Purple In Rock” until the present day...Gillans’ world view has been one to admire. He covers all aspects of the life that he leads and when he occasionally preaches, it’s on a subject that he’s a genuine passion for…Take “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” for example, on this album. A bitter attack on the human race for its miss-treatment of the planet. Inspirational stuff. When he does indulge in a ditty about the fine art of procreation…it’s with his usual wit and intelligence on” Back To Back”. By the time this excellent work finishes with the beautiful “Before Time Began”, the only thing that you’ll want to do is start the thing all over again. It’s that good.

In 2005, there were some superb releases by a varied bunch of Artists, but Deep Purple have put out a collection of songs that are as strong as anyone’s. This is an album that I’ll be listening to for years to come. It’s as good an album as they’ve released in many, many years. Time will tell if it sits nicely beside the mighty “Purpendicular” in the fans’ hearts.
It’s nice to know that sometimes… our favourite bands’ can still deliver the goods. And then some.

DIXIE