LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL

With Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, Rainbow returned to the more straightforward hardrock songwriting and sound of the debut. By consequence it is less symphonic then the superb Rainbow Rising but I wouldn't say it is that much less in quality. Instead it sits somewhere in between.

The opener is a undemanding but great hard rock song, perfectly executed by the tightly rocking band that Blackmore has surrounded himself with, especially impressive are of course Cozy Powell and Ronnie James Dio, who focuses on a rougher delivery here. The bass and keyboard players have been changed since the Rainbow Rising / On Stage days. I'd say we really miss the keyboard wizard Tony Carey here.

Lady Of The Lake is one of Rainbow's best shorter tracks and LA Connection tries a heavier style that reveals what Dio would start doing on his solo albums. The highpoints of the album are obviously the epic Gates of Babylon and the classic rocker Kill the King. Also The Shed delivers the goods and Sensitive to Light is the obligatory throwaway Dio track. Rainbow Eyes is a romantic folksy track, no bad but nearly not as good as Catch the Rainbow.

Overall this is a solid hard rock album that hasn't much progressive elements but due to its melodic qualities and tight musicianship, it will nevertheless please many progheads.