LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL

With a crisp production, solid mix of songs, and powerful playing, Long Live Rock n' Roll stands strong as a member of the big three Rainbow albums. This time around Blackmore and Dio come very closely to a true heavy metal sound (of the days), with the overall experience leaning more towards the Dio's solo albums than the classic bluesy hard rock of Rainbow's debut.

The album starts with the title track, a rip-roaring rocker with intensity and great performances by Dio and Blackmore. The new rhythm section sounds very strong as well-- more "there" than the previous line-up, although debatebly not as creative. These sort of heavy rockers are the prominant songs on this album, with "Kill the King" standing out to me as one of the band's best tracks. It's blazing, punctuated riffs hit all the right spots for a perfect hard rocking experience (Dio's wailing vocals do more than their share, too!).

The level of quality swings both ways though, with several songs stinking decisively like filler-- especially "LA Connection", probably the worst song on the three key Rainbow albums.

The two extended tracks, "Gates of Babylon" and "Rainbow Eyes" practicly steal the show though. "Babylon" is mystical rocker slithering into the ears with eastern panache (inspiration for Iron Maiden?), while "Rainbow Eyes" is an arresting and tender ballad-- great vocals and feel.

All in all a great listen; recommended, though not creative enough to warrant the extra star.

Songwriting: 3 Instrumental Performances: 3 Lyrics/Vocals: 4 Style/Emotion/Replay: 4