Purpendicular

Eirik Solum (June 30, 2004)

After The Battle Rages On and the following tour Ritchie Blackmore said goodbye. Deep Purple had to choose between calling it a day or replacing the goroups maybe most profiled member. First they did some gigs with Joe Satriani. That did not lead to anything permanent. So they contacted Steve Morse. With him on board they bookes studio time and recorded Purpendicular. The songwriting happende like it did inb the old days - as a five way jam prosess.

What came out was a album a lot more interesting that Blackmores swan song with the band - The Battle Rages On. Purpendicular is progressive and playful. Kind of dark sounding, but with a spark we missed earliger.

On the negative side I would say the song writing lacks Blackmores brilliand and powerful ideas and melodic approach. There is no Knocking at Your Back Door, Perfect Strangers or Mary Long here. It's all down to the inspired performing. nice grooves and the progressive arrangements. One exeption may be Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming.