PERFECT STRANGERS

This for me is the perfect Deep Purple album. With the classic line up reformed, Gillan, Blackmore and Co. came up with a remarkable selection of strong material, full of diversity and power.

The album kicks of with an absolute killer of a song. "Knocking at your back door" is symphonic, its metallic, it's bombastic, it's.. (fill in your own superlative here). The orchestrated opening to the track disguises the full on power which is to follow, but soon enough we experience a familiar wall of sound and the unique vocals of Ian Gillan. Blackmore slips in one of his best guitar solo's in years as the track weaves it's way through seven minutes of classic Purple.

Elsewhere, the title track has distinct shades of Led Zeppelin, and more specifically of "Kashmir" from "Physical Graffiti". It is though a wonderful slower piece, with a distinguished riff, and a strong melody. For me, "Wasted sunsets" is one of the best things the band have recorded in their entire career. Essentially the track is a power ballad, but it affords Gillan the opportunity to give one of his virtuoso vocal performances, followed by Blackmore's achingly beautiful lead guitar solo.

There are of course, some "Fireball"/"Speed king" like fast paced blasts, the best of these being the driving "Not responsible" and "A gypsy's kiss". The instrumental passages on the latter have more than a passing similarity with the title track of "Burn" but when Gillan proclaims "John Wayne, The Alamo, Crazy Horse, GERONIMO", you can't help but thrust a hand in the air and join him in the gallop.

"Nobody's home", "Mean streak", and "Hungry daze" are more predictable Deep Purple fare, with quick strong rhythms and incisive hooks. They are though still worthy of a place alongside the band's most resilient output.

Some versions of the album include the 10 minute bonus track "Son of Alerik", which has also appeared on subsequent compilations. This Blackmore composition was originally released as the non-album B-side of the "Perfect strangers" single. In reality, it is an elongated showcase for Blackmore and to some extent Lord, affording them the opportunity to jam in a slightly looser environment.

In all, a truly remarkable album with a very strong feel good, factor, and some of the best songwriting Deep Purple have ever come up with.

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