CD Review

"Machine Head” and Blackmore aside, this is classic Purple, but with a clear “don’t look back” edge. The fresh, well-crafted songs on Rapture of the Deep, like “Wrong Man,” build upon their signature crunchy combination of keyboards, bass, and bar chords, and, of course, the vocals and roof-splitting wails of Ian Gillan. Try to sit still. Forget it – you’re gonna be playing air guitar and shaking your bones like it’s your ultimate birthday party.

OK, a quick Deep Purple 101: This line-up is one that’s been around since 1994, and is a near-reunion of the 1969 Deep Purple, sans guitarist, and Deep Purple founder, Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow). In 1994, Steve Morse (ex-Dixie Dregs) filled the open guitar slot after Blackmore’s permanent departure. In 2002, former Rainbow member Don Airey replaced a now-retired Jon Lord on keyboards. Gillan’s old Episode Six band mate John Glover continues on bass, and drummer Ian Paice completes the rhythm section. Lyrically, the songs are more than catchy and straightforward, showcasing Gillan’s witty wordplay – of course, Gillan just about invented heavy metal wordplay. Yes, he’s a legend and here his vocals ring with confidence, but certainly not in an arrogant or “over-the-top” way. Overall, the chemistry of these seasoned players is concentrated magic, and builds from their 2003 release, Bananas.

The complex and soaring melodies of Don Airey (keyboards) and Steve Morse are original and, again, add new dimensions to the Deep Purple legacy. Songs like “Clearly Quite Absurd” contain thoughtful, moving lyrical ideas: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful/If you could read my mind/Imagine all the stuff/That we could leave behind…” This particular composition builds in tension like a compelling story and showcases Airey’s finesse on the keyboards.

Track 6, “Don’t Let Go,” brings us back to their pulsing, bouncing, and romping signature style. Almost jazz like, Rapture’s compositions allow each musician to have solos without being cliché. For example, “kiss tomorrow goodbye” begins with a funky beat, and then Gillan reinvents rap and gives us a doomsday rant: “They ain’t got a clue as disaster looms/ They’re too busy choking on toxic fumes/ They got no hope and there’s no point running/ No matter what they do I keep on coming” No mixed messages here. Clearly, rock musicians can have serious thoughts and opinions on something as paramount as global warming without being preachy. Gillan rants again on “MTV” about the bored and yawning creature called Classic Rock.

The title tune is an example of all these elements coming together: tight drums, euphoric keyboard and guitar riffs, thumping bass, and bold vocals. Hey, guys and gals, they still got it. You’re not going to hear this on top-40 radio, but any rock radio station worth a damn will be playing this new offering.

With rock bands coming and going like visitors to a mid-Western brothel, it’s pleasant to see dedicated musicians still reuniting to rock. If you really are a fan of melodic, heavy rock, in the vein of Rush and King Crimson, then you gotta add this to your spin cycle. Rapture of the Deep is pure rock-n-roll fun, with a modest share of thoughtful pondering.