Breathless
Sir Maximus Mouse | Maine, USA | 12/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""As we all know its hard to breathe when something spiritual has taken place".
I think that says it all. Thank you Deep Purple for a truly wonderful musical experience.
This is a truly great modern rock album.
It has all the requisites: great melodies e.g. 'Before time began'; quirky, imaginative and at times deeply poetic lyrics e.g. 'Clearly quite absurd'; great heavy riffs e.g. 'Wrong Man'; Wonderful musicianship e.g. instrumental break in 'Junkyard Blues'; etc......
The cream of the crop for me are the title track 'Rapture of the Deep', 'Wrong Man', 'Before time began', 'Clearly quiet absurd', 'Kiss tomorrow goodbye'. It is hard to leave any of the tracks of my favorite list. Maybe 'Don't let go' and 'Back to back' are the weakest but still good songs in their own right.
It is great to see an older band like this able to come up with a vibrant and exciting album that can easily hold its head up with the likes of Green Days' 'American Idiot' or Collective Souls' 'Youth'.
Lets have more studio albums soon from Deep Purple. I would love to see Deep Purple in concert only playing songs from their last four studio albums. I know they were great in the stone ages but they are better now."
UNMISSABLE!
Micaloneus | the Cosmos | 11/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Deep Purple spent about a month recording their new album, "Rapture of the Deep" and this becomes clear when hearing this "live in-studio" effort. This album is hard, dark and adventurous, a very cohesive album. The sound quality isn't great, but the overall presentation is still breathtaking. Those who have given "Rapture of the Deep" a low rating, either didn't play it enough to reap the full benefits, or, it's simply not their cup of tea. But as a fan of the Steve Morse era, this album really delivers.
Ian Gillan's vocals are truly unique. What an inspired effort. Actually, the whole band is inspired. This sort of strength and musical subtlety can only come from a true working band, not a group getting together every few years promoting another "hits" collection on the latest farewell-reunion tour.
From the opening snarl of "Money Talks" through the very touching "Clearly Quite Absurd", topped off by the politically insightful "Before Time Began", as well as everything in between, this is not only vintage Purple, it's modern day classic rock. UNMISSABLE!
Here is a quick run down of the tracks:
01. Money Talks - a well arranged progressive hard rock vibe. There are a lot of things happening in this song and it sets the tone for the album. Stunning. A great opener!
02. Girls Like That - a "radio friendly" song with a nice hook and a cool keyboard solo. It holds its own next to the great opener and the following nugget!
03. Wrong Man - a chugging powerful groove and again a catchy chorus. It's hard to stop singing this one. So out of the gate we've got three good rock songs of various style and then something wonderful happens...
04. Rapture Of The Deep - an epic with fantastic Arabic riffs and melodies. A very successful attempt at trying something a little progressive with purpose. Masterpiece #1
05. Clearly Quite Absurd - a simply stunning ballad that doesn't get mushy at all. Melancholy melodies which suit Gillan's mature voice perfectly. Goose-bump time. Masterpiece #2
06. Don't Let Go - one of the albums best rockers and a steady groovin' toe tapper. Nice!
07. Back To Back - this one goes many places. Fun funky stuff that could go on to be a radio hit.
08. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye - a fast rocker, with very powerful lyrics and a Bo-Diddley type drum feel from Paice.
09. MTV - this has some fantastic "tell it like it is" lyrics, superb singing by Gillan and wonderful solos. This could be the dark horse of the album.
10. Junkyard Blues - breathtaking, just listen to these solos. The energy is contagious. To describe it in words is impossible. But it's blues that I can digest.
11. Before Time Began - WOW!...a Deep Purple classic, with a psychedelic touch. Once again, I am impressed by the arrangements and the progressive feel. Masterpiece #3
HIGHLIGHTS: Money Talks, Rapture of the Deep, Clearly Quite Absurd, Junkyard Blues and Before Time Began.
I have to confess, I've made a mistake questioning a band with such a rich history as Deep Purple. Maybe they don't always hit that "bulls eye" but each time they're written off, they deliver one of their best albums. Deep Purple remain intense, fearless, full of fire, witty and passionate. This CD still finds new meaning in a medium they all but single-handedly created. Congratulations Purple, you're far from retirement!"
Yes, yes, yes!!!! You have to buy this album
Lorelei A. Cosner | upstate New York | 12/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, I actually thought the production itself sounded weak, I liked the sound on Abandon and Perpendicular much better, but the overall quality of the sound is good, and the vocals and music are amazing. I would definitely buy this album again, even if I wasn't one of the ones lucky enough to get a copy in the tin *grinning*. Cheers."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1