melodylane

DEEP PURPLE – WOOSH! (EARMUSIC, 2020)

Twentyfirst album for the Twentyfirst Century! "...a REAL rock album..."

Genre: Hard Rock, Classic Rock

Rating: 9/10

There are certain things in life that seems to resonate with your soul in such a way that once you experienced them you'll end up hooked for good, and I'm not talking about that nasty stuff all you good kids should steer away from (you naughty, naughty rascals), I'm thinking more 'bout goodness, positive auras, vibes. Good vibes. Deep, powerful, blasting vibes. Let me tell you a story, my dearest little goblins. I know I'm not grandpa Simpson but I'm quite enough of an old geezer to have earned the right to reminisce a bit, so let me indulge please. It was freezing winter of glorious 1973 in Rome, Italy, and this young deadbeat of yours was wandering around downtown with a head full of horrible dreams, hands firmly tucked in my new blue jean's (almost empty) pockets. All of a sudden from a dark and hideous looking alley comes a soundwave I've never ever heard the like of before. My mommy tought me well, no candies from strangers and whatever, so obviously I hurled myself toward the source of that wonderful racket in a jiffy, no questions asked. To cut a long story short (I don't want to talk about that record shop: let's just say that sometimes it would be great if things you've seen could be unseen, just for your mental health's sake) I ended up holding a fresh copy of Live in Japan. Now, I don't want to think you don't know what I'm talking about. One of the greatest live album in rock history? Pioneers of heavy rock? Mark II line-up? Anything rings a bell? Come on, blockheads, it's Deep Purple!! From that briny day on, my life took a strange turn towards heavier sounds and it's never been the same since, thank Shiva for that. Well, to get back to present shitty day, what's that all about? I'll tell you immediately, bloody rugrats. From August the 7th we can delight our hairy ears with nothing less than the twentyfirst Deep purple album, "Whoosh!", out for earMusic Record and produced by Mr Bob Ezrin himself, who masterfully managed to recreate on record the sound of a bunch of old chaps enjoying themselves. Mark VIII formation, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Steve Morse & Don Airey for your listening pleasure. Twentyfirst album for the Twentyfirst century. A new start in a new era, clogged with techno gizmos and hyper-speed connections. Communicating what and with whom is not ours to be grasped, alas, but I'm digressing again. Fact is "Whoosh" hit me like a hammer right on top of my head. The opening track, Throw My Bones, a powerful mid-tempo with a fantastic guitar solo placed in the middle of a thrilling, Hammond powered crescendo section, took me back instantly in that muddy alley. I got the same shiver down my spine, a new, fresh blast of soundwaves but with a kind of seasoned attitude. I couldn't ask for anything better. Drop The Weapon follows, and you can't help but tap your foot all along to its irresistible rhythm. Our guys are on top of their shape, I tell you. This record oozes groove and cohesion, the music is tight, Gillan's vocals are stratospheric like time isn't going forward for him just like any other mortal, the choruses are great, the band is on a roll although I guess we'll never know what happened down in Mexico... Jeez, bloody neighbours are going to call the police, my stereo set is at full scale and I still can't get enough! No Need to Shout (just shout you mouth and go away, please) is a bomb, Airey's keyboard solo is simply mindblowing. Tip of the day: lookout for minute 2.23 and enjoy a swift Gershwin citation. This record got it all: if you're looking for some classic rock'n'roll you won't be disappointed, What The What is gonna extinguish your thirst with energy and enthusiasm. But you'll obviously get a load of good old virtuosity, just listen to that high energy cavalcade that is The Long Way Round and it's incredible guitar solo, Steve Morse at his best. Or I could mention And The Address, an enthralling instrumental with a distinct 60s' flavour à la James Taylor Quartet. My goodness. I want more. Lots of meat here, Deep Purple shows the maturity and experience to throw in different musical styles into one big and cohesive cauldron, stirring it up with passion, craftmanship and a tad of the old magic touch. Just before I recommend you my favourites, as usual,a special mention goes to The Power of The Moon, a haunting, psychedelic track halfway between a new wave hit and a space rock jam. But the strongest moments of this astounding work that is "Whoosh!" are the oniric Man Alive, which atmosphere reminds me of Iron Maiden's The Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner and, most of all, Dancing in My Sleep. A powerful, exotic groove opened by a strange, new-wavish synth intro with amazing bass work & killer drumming courtesy of Mr Paice and Mr Glover that really rocked my day. My dear imps, this review is for you, for all the young generations who never had the possibility to lay their little filthy hands on a REAL rock album: now that's the chance you've been given to redeem yourselves. Don't miss it. Eisenmann out.

- TRACKLIST:

1) Throw My Bones

2) Drop the Weapon

3) We’re All the Same in the Dark

4) Nothing at All

5) No Need to Shout

6) Step by Step

7) What the What

8) The Long Way Round

9) The Power of The Moon

10) Remission Possible

11) Man Alive

12) And the Address

13) Dancing in My Sleep

 

- Line-up:

Ian Gillan – vocals

Steve Morse – guitars

Roger Glover – bass

Ian Paice – drums

Don Airey – keyboards

 

- Web: https://deeppurple.com/

- Article by: Karl Eisenmann