Customer Reviews

Rapture of the Deep (digipak)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It's not wise to make comparisons, so you won't get that from me. In a nutshell, if you like NEW music and (generally speaking) you like the TYPE of music that DEEP Purples plays, you can't go wrong with this CD. The musicianship is spectacular as you might expect, and the majority of songs are very entertaining. This is simply a Classic Rock n' Roll album in Purple fashion: hard & tight rhythym's, dazzling lead and acoustic guitar segments, the classic DP organ sound, and of course...the unmistakable voice of Ian Gillan. It's all there.

After reading many reviews prior to the release of this CD, I decided I would buy it for only one reason: to listen to a Y2K jam session from one of history's greatest rock and roll bands. I wasn't looking for Machine Head 2 or Purpendicular Revisited, I just wanted something new and fresh from a group of extremely talented musicians. I got everything I expected...and then some.

Deep Purple boldy continues rocking into the 21st century. Thus, Rapture of the Deep is comprised of eclectic music; a full platter of tasty treats awaits the listener. Beware, this is not the band's incessant, hard rock music from a bygone era, but a new sound that truly succeeds. Since the departure of guitarist-Ritchie Blackmore and keyboardist-Jon Lord, the band keeps evolving, reshuffles the deck (in music and members), and produces another winner.

Though some people have misguided, preconceived notions about the current state of the band, let me make this perfectly clear. Without a doubt, this incarnation of Deep Purple has very little in common with the band of yesteryear. For those fans who yearn the sound of the past, I advise listening to that music instead of wishing on a fallacy or constantly carping.

This album deserves much praise. Indeed, the band delivers first rate performances throughout this disc, especially, Steve Morse-guitarist and Don Airey-keyboardist bringing a plethora of musical influences to the band. Also, Ian Gillan's singing voice is excellent along with the rhythm section of Ian Paice-drummer and Roger Glover-bass being rock solid. The cd starts with Money Talks, a lumbering, hard swinging, bluesy song. Wow, it is quite a dynamic outburst! In Wrong Man, Glover nails down the heaviest of bass lines to propel this song. In addition, the Arabic sounding title track rocks/mesmerizes as Morse and Airey provide sparkling contributions. Next, there are the dulcet tones of the poignant, beautiful ballad Clearly Quite Absurd. Certainly, the Southern fried, blues influence of Morse dominate Don't Let Go with Airey tinkling the ivories for a sweet, honky tonk solo.

Other highlights abound throughout the album (without duds). Pounding the skins, Paice's slick drumming drives tough rocker Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye, and Gillan's percipient lyrics talk about environmental damage. Furthermore, Gillan gives the fans a satirical chuckle during the song MTV. Yes, his cavalier, singing style works very well in this tune coupled with the jazzy interplay of Morse and Airey. Actually, Gillan's lyrics are probably the best ever penned on this album. Brilliant, that is the correct word for describing Junkyard Blues which consists of fusion music blended to perfection. Closing the album is the progressive rocker (really, it is true) Before Time Began, and I love it! Definitely, I would like to see them write more material like this song.

Overall, this is one of Deep Purple's finest and most unique albums while showing significant progression. Moreover, the production is good with attractive packaging and intriguing artistry. Will you like this disc? Well, that depends on your taste and willingness to appreciate something different yet extremely refreshing music from the band. For me, Rapture of the Deep is among the outstanding albums of the year (rated 4.5 stars) in worthy company with Shadow Gallery-Room V and Arena-Pepper's Ghost.

This is maybe the best Deep Purple album since Machine Head. A Classic album. Junkyard Blues is my favorite, I will be a fabulous live track. The title track is reminiscent of Perfect Stranger and could have been written by Blackmore and out of a Rainbow album. Finally with this album I am fully accepting Steve Morse as the legitimate replacement to the men in black . Money Talks is another purple gem. With this album simply put it , the mark VIII lineup can go on tour and relegate classics such as Highway Star and Smoke on the Water for encores. Not that I enjoyed listening to Machine Head on the last tour, but I will be looking forward to hear the new track lives. That will be some show.For the firt time since WE Do in 1973, I have to say that all tracks are really good ( even MTV ). Back to Back and Kiss tommorow goodbye are also very good and Clearly Quite Absurd is the best ballad since When a blind men cries. Don Airey plays superbly on the album and Ian Paice is still the most amazing drummer in the rock business ( you must see him in concert ). Ian Gillan is in good form.
Quite an amazing album for a band of almost 60 years old guys. The best rock album of the year so far.

This cd is finally getting back to the "classic" Deep Purple sound of dominant organ and heavy guitar riffs!!! Original members Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, and Roger Glover, accompanied by guitarist Steve Morse and keyboardist Don Airey(both also on the previous cd "Bananas"), created a cd that sounds very energetic and rock-based. Vocals are strong but not overdone; the guitar on this cd comes the closest to sounding like the long gone sounds of Ritchie Blackmore. Morse seems to have made a conscious effort to fit in with the Deep Purple sound. Keyboardist Don Airey is like a wizard on his instrument, and after hearing this, I can not think of anyone better to have replaced founding member Jon Lord. His playing compliments the band and their style perfectly!! If you are a Deep Purple fan from the 70's but aren't crazy about their recent material, pick this one up. You will be pleasantly suprised. I don't know if it is destined to be a classic, but it is in my opinion, their most consistent effort since 1984's Perfect Strangers. I really like their direction on this cd, and if they continue this way, the next one will be even more interesting.

This is an album that will cheer many people up. Simply put it is a chunk of music recorded by a band that at that moment in time when it was recorded were clearly enjoying playing together as a group and therefore finding those moments of inspiration in the spaces created that contribute to making this such a memorable record. These things do not happen that frequently with any artists in any field and they are impossible to contrive, in fact the more effort that is made the more painful it can become. The process that allows an album like "Rapture of the Deep" to come about is mysterious, but one can say that it is at least dependent upon all the members of the group having a liking and respect for each other; when those elements are there then it is clear that the group is playing as much for themselves as for other people and the result, as in the case here, can be really wonderful. Don't even hesitate about buying this album or not, just go out and do it. After playing it through 2 or 3 times you will probably agree with what I have been talking about. Suffice to say it is going to be an album which will be almost completely ignored by all those people in the media who live under the illusion that they understand what good music is but we don't mind that do we? The pleasure is all ours. From the plateau of "Rapture's" excellence the following 3 tracks are the standouts for me but really each and every one of the tracks on the album has something to recommend them - "Wrong Man", "Rapture of the Deep", "Before Time Began".

What I find amazing is that everbody misses Ritchie to such a large extent. Steve is an excellent guitarist; listen to the Dixie Dreggs if you dont believe me. He is leading Purple in the direction that they need to go. If anyone has heard the direction Ritche has moved in they would realize that it's all soft core pop and terrible ballads in his newest incarnation, Blackmores Night. If he had been on the album it would have been a dissaster for both artists. Instead Deep Purple comes back kickin ass with a great guitar player in a newly refined style.

Although this can hardly compare to Machine Head or Fireball, it is one of the best albums to come of the post Ritchie Deep Purple and shows a new direction for the music of the artists. It beats out Bananas and is one of the best albums since Perpendicular or Stormbringer.

In this day and age, so few good rock bands exist that this should be treated as a gem from a band that has been creating good, innovative music for four decades. Highlights include the Bluesy "Don't let Go", the scalar solos in "Before Time Began", enchanting balled "Clearly Quite Absurd" and southern rock textures of "Back to Back". Any Deep Purple fan, old or new, will like this album, at least to some extent.

Classic hard rock 70's style but with the modern touch of neat CD packaging, interesting lyrics, sharp production and a legendary band producing more of the same. Amazing, still creating but no new territory. It's a catch 22 situation - if they veered too far to the contemporary side, they'd be slammed, if they produce strong classic rock - then it's real hard to make a musical statement's that's extraordinary.

That being said, I enjoyed this album, like I have enjoyed all the albums of the Morse era. But other than two or three standout tracks - the opening bars of each new track could be from any of their previous four albums. Is that negative? It could be if you are hoping for something incredible as much of the well-crafted riffs and rhythms seemed too reminiscent of other material. Do they still know how to play - what a question! These guys love what they do. "Rapture of the deep" is clearly the outstanding track of the album and will no doubt become a new concert classic like "Sometimes I feel like screaming". Pity there just weren't more like this or a few faster, burning rockers.

Personally, I believe Rapture is their best output since 93's Purpendicular. Don't get me wrong. I've enjoyed Abandon and Bananas as good cd's in their own right, but Rapture is better.

Forget trying to compare the post millenium Deep Purple to the band of the early 70's ... it's apples and oranges. But, if you're looking for a solid rock album (not to mention, an accompanying live show), this is definitely worth your dollar.

Highlights on this cd include the title track, Wrong Man, Before Time Began and Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye. In fact the only "skipped" song for me is usually Back to Back.

Deep Purple. Keep rockin' on.

This is a pleasant surprise. Reminiscent of Perpendicular, this is Purple's best work since then and it rocks. Again, another band well on into their 50's producing quality work. That's nice to see.... and hear. The CD smokes right out of the box with rockers Money Talks and Girls Like That. Gillan is still in great voice and his lyrics are better than ever. Steve Morse is playing on another level right now. Even though he's had a distinguished career with the Dregs, his own bands, and Kansas, his playing since he's been with Purple has been his best. He puts Blackmore to shame at any time in his career. My Favorite song here is the title cut. Other favorites in this collection are Don't Let Go and Back to Back, although there's not a weak cut on the CD. This release pretty much rocks throughout, with a hint of blues here and a hint of world music in places of the title cut, no real ballads. This is surely one of the most welcome releases of the year. You can tell from these performances that this is a band who enjoys playing with each other and are just having a lot of fun at this point in their career and we listeners get to reap the benefits of that.Their chops are honed to a fine edge because of all of the touring they've been doing over the last several years. Long Live Purple!!!

It does my heart good to see that there are still veteran bands like Deep Purple, out there still rocking out with fresh material.
I love Ritchie, but Steve Morse's playing is a little more organic and versatile than Ritchie Blackmore's neo-classical rigidness. This CD proves that you can draw inspiration from roads once traveled, while still trailblazing forward to new areas of creative growth. I'd have to say there really isn't a weak track on this CD, which is rare these days. I especially loved the lyrics to "MTV", anybody who rips corperate radio gets a big thumbs up from me. I won't go into a play by play of each song, other reviewers have done that. But I will simply tell you if you enjoy heavy rock with intelligence and great musicianship buy this cd.