PERFECT STRANGERS

Purple are back in discography after 9 years (excluding live albums) with a SHOUT! Perfect Strangers is full of energy and hard rock attitude. It seems that the reunion of the members brought some new ideas and revived the lost magic. Blackmore's experience with the magnificent Rainbow brings a different approach than the one taken in the band's 70's albums. In addition, Gillan's appearance in Black Sabbath's Born Again seems to have influenced him towards heavier tones, and this is evident in his singing throughout the record.

The sound of the album could not escape the influence of the 80's, thus the approach is more towards rock/hard rock rather than 70's progressive rock harmonies. However, this does not restrain the band from composing some of their most powerful and solo-overloaded tracks. In fact, the prog element is not fully overlooked, especially in the guitar/keyboard solos, the structure of the riffs and more particularly in the title track. The latter stands out in the album as the most innovative piece of music, with a clearly Rainbow-influenced medieval atmosphere and uncommon timing. I would dare to say that this album contains classic rockers such as Knocking at your Backdoor and Mean Streak, tracks of equal quality to the bands milestones such as Black Night.

The Rainbow 'effect' is even more evident in A Gibsy's Kiss which could have easily been part of 'Rising' or 'Long Live Rock 'n Roll'. Overall, Blackmore dresses the tracks with 'fresh' and inspired riffs which along with the classic hammond touches of Jon Lord, create an interesting result. The only track that does not add quality to the album is Wasted Sunsets, a pleasant but, in general terms, weak ballad which, however, is not able to ruin the overall strong output.

Riffs in Perfect Strangers and Hungry Daze are not composed every day and represent examples of glorious times in Deep Purple's career. Concluding, the reunion was worth the wait as Perfect Strangers is one of the albums that you would listen again and again and again...

...it's knocking at your door...

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