STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES

Actually, there is nothing special about this album as there is no major hit or great track coming from this album. But I don't know why I like this album. It's probably I like the musicians who contributed in this album like Roger Glover, Joe Lynn Turner, even though there is no Cozy Powell anymore. But honestly, as far as hard rock music concern this is not a bad album at all. In fact, I love it. Take example of opening track "Death Alley Driver" (4:42) which comprises great combination of keyboard and guitar solos as well as excellent music flow. It's one of good rock song, even though it's not as spectacular as "Pictures of Home" or "Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple. The next track "Stone Cold" is slower in tempo and it reminds me to the music of Bad Company (Paul Rodgers as lead vocal). This song demonstrates keyboard as main rhythm section combined with good guitar work by Ritchie Blackmore. "Bring On The Night (Dream Chaser)" brings the music into faster tempo again and it reminds me to the kind of Rainbow music (first two albums) or Deep Purple "Place In The Line" (Who Do You Think You Are album). Through "Tite Squeeze" Rainbow wants to bring back their early days glory with Jon Lord-like keyboard work. "Tearing Out My Heart" is a mellow track with bluesy touch - nice guitar work. Again, I can sense of the Bad Company kind of music. It's really a nice track and I do not know why this track was not famous at all. "MISS Mistreated" is probably Ritchie's melancholic phase with respect to Deep Purple "Burn" album.

Overall, this is a good hard rock album that has been underrated by many Deep Purple and Rainbow fans so far.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW