RAPTURE OF THE DEEP

As long as you "unlearn" everything you know about early Deep Purple albums, and enjoy this album is it is - without any preconceived mind on what the music should sound like, I think you would agree with me that this is not a bad album at all and in fact it's a good one. For me personally, since the departure of Ritchie Blackmore and replaced by Steve Morse, Deep Purple music has changed substantially although you might find some segments that bring you to the trip to the past. But majority of the style has been enriched by Steve's great guitar work. In fact, I do enjoy "Purpendicular", "Abandon", "Banana" and as well as "Rapture of The Deep". The changes that have occurred have been, I think, not merely due to Steve joining the band. Rather, it's a combination of the two: Steve as guitar player plus the fact that the band members were getting older.

The opening track 'Money Talks' is a keyboard driven track that can be predicted as future one of good tracks by Deep Purple. It flows to a jazz tinged 'Girls Like That' which has a catchy chorus. The album also offers heavier track 'Wrong Man', with a powerful lead riff shining through. For me personally, the highlight of the album is the title track itself, with a brilliantly mysterious feeling vocal from Ian Gillan and outstanding guitar work from Steve Morse.

'Rapture of the Deep' sounds like a blend of many qualities of the bands. The 'Before Time Began' seems like a proggy track, while the band's sense of humour is still as ripe as ever, particularly on tracks like 'MTV; and the ballad appears with 'Cleary Quite Absurd', for which there is an alternative new version on the bonus disc.

'Rapture of the Deep' shows an album that is quite strong and consistent which prove Deep Purple still survive and have creative talents to create melodies even though two key members are not with the band any more (Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord). Again, if you UNLEARN what you have known about the band, you would definitely enjoy this album. Keep on rockin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW