Deep Purple
Rapture Of The Deep

THE REVIEW

Nineteenth studio album for the British band, second for the Mark VIII.

The entry track "Money Talks" is perhaps the best piece on the album; in this track, Gillan's splendid vocal abilities, in dazzling form, and Airey's talent blend beautifully, bringing us back to the glories of the past. Track number 2 "Girls Like That" features a fast and engaging rhythm that culminates in a catchy chorus from which the song takes its title. In "Wrong Man", the typical combinations of organ, bass, and guitar accompanied by Gillan's inevitable high notes, characteristic of Deep Purple, are worth highlighting.
At this point, we arrive at the Title Track "Rapture Of The Deep" introduced by an oriental sound full of ups and downs, perfectly executed scales by Morse's guitar and Glover's bass, creating at times a pleasant and unusual Progressive Hard Rock. Truly a gem. Immediately after, however, the pace slows down with a slow and melodic ballad "Cleary Quite Absurd".

The sixth track, "Don't Let Go", is an appreciable but not celestial blues track, "Back To Back" is a particular track divided into three parts: the first marked by Paice's drums, the second by Gillan's chorus, and the third by Airey's synthesizer. In the following song "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye", Paice is once again the protagonist with the initial tribal rhythm, while "MTV" has the sole objective of mockingly and distantly poking fun at the world's most commercial television, MTV indeed. Finally, the last two tracks "Junkiard Blues", a piece I admire and listen to a lot despite the critics' reproaches, and "Before Time Began" where, as in the previous track, one can perceive hints of good Blues.

This Album is not a masterpiece but considering the music that circulates today and the composers' age (of this album) I consider it a great album.