LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL

By the time Rainbow got down to record the follow-up to Rising, there had been a few changes in the line-up. Bain had some fall-out with Blackmood and Carey had not survived the first tour because of his inapt soloing, he had been replaced by the much better classically-trained Canadian David Stone for the next tours (when this young proghead managed to see them live for the first time). Unfortunately, the title and artwork (both still good) lacked the promise and failed to confirm the predecessor's success, but the album still held a few excellent tracks.

The fans were already familiar with the killer track Kill The King , and together with the opening title track, the fans were in known territory. But apart from one other track, I must say the album is rather deceiving for this writer. Sure there were the usual riff-laden anthem like LA Connection , Lady Of The Lake, Sensitive To Light or The Shed, but all of these tracks were too tightly written, not allowing the band members to expand their wings enough. Only the superb Gates Of Babylon managed to get enough time-length to approach the grandeur of Stargazer. Most likely drawing on Zep's Kashmir (spiritually anyway), this track and its Arabian feel is the highlight of the album. However the even-longer Rainbow Eyes is a huge disappointment, and with its syrupy strings, it is grotesquely long. Good thing it comes at the end of the album, so it is rather easy to skip. One of my main gripes aboutb this album is the production. This album is way too slick and in some ways reminds me a bit of NWOBHMB or late 70's Judas Priest especially o n the guitar/bass combo.

Unfortunately, Rainbow was unable to confirm whatever promises the fans had seen in Rising, and most of us wish that the group had made a "son of Rising" instead of trying something different. Still holds the implacable triumvirate of DIO-Powell-Blackmore, this is the last worthy album of the group as Blackmore will have a fall-out with Dio, ending up wanting to change most of the line-up and only Powell will remain a bit longer, just enough to record the very poor Down To Earth. The group will tour to promote the album with a slightly changed line-up, Don Airey coming in on keyboards.

Share this RAINBOW review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Sean Trane
• Report this review (#101195)
• Buy RAINBOW music online with PA partners
• Show all RAINBOW MP3/Stream
• Go to RAINBOW page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Long Live Rock & Roll page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for RAINBOW related discussions