I love virtually everything about it. From the simple, yet iconic DP logo that i scrawled on countless surfaces to the thick and heavy production.
From the opening riff of the dirty, dirty 'Knocking At Your Back Door' to the sprawling very 70's-esque title track, it's perfect Purple. Heavy, hard and tuneful with a dash of experimentation. It doesn't sound like supposed 'classic' Purple and it's all the better for it; this is a rejuvenated band showing the critics that there is still plenty of fuel in the tank and fire in the belly.
Blackmore is buzzing and the writing is top notch. I'd say there is no filler at all, although the blend of styles from the straight rock of 'Not Responsible' to the slow 'Wasted Sunsets' and the recurring Eastern motif's in that epic title track may divide some purists. These are also complete 'songs' rather than a stitched together showcase for the individual talents to shine. As such, i think there is a greater overall cohesion to this album than to many of Purple's other efforts. It is very much an album from a band on form.
One word must go to my favourite track 'Hungry Daze' which recalls the story telling of 'Smoke On The Water' a style of writing Deep Purple were always very good at. For some reason it always makes the hairs stand up and makes me want to stand up, jump up, play air guitar and sing-a-long. Any album with even one song that makes you want to do that is worth the money, especially at the price this classic is going for!
So buy it!"
Maturity Rocks!
Da Artman | 11/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In my opinion,this is the epitomy of all the Deep Purple (Gillian & Glover incl.) albums. The band brings a maturity here that makes the CD strong from beginning to end. Many of their 70's releases were plagued by filler material. Not so here. It's a must have for any Purple fan."
Welcome back
ray dog | South Carolina USA | 02/02/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This one has some really strong songs on it. Dp had been split up for a long while and even longer from the most popular version of Mk .2. So this was very exciting to listen to for the first time . The guys didn't disappoint either ,especially on the first half of the album . I do not think this is as good as their early 70's stuff but it was one of the most awesome albums of its own time, still not afraid to stick to their own style when all the newer music of the time sounded so much diffrent."
A long wait, but the sound is there
R. O'Brien | Anchorage, Alaska | 08/01/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Deep Purple, along with other legends like the Beatles and Cream, always came off better Live than in the studio. It was the early 90s before the old Deep Purple albums were remastered and up to standard, as far as the sound. Perfect Strangers, the group's reunion album from the mid-80s had the songs, but the recording was weak. It was much better on vinyl. This SHDM version is pristine. Under the Gun, Perfect Strangers and Knocking at Your Back Door are all tremendous. This is worth the price for Blackmore and Purple fans."