DEEP PURPLE - Bananas

Posted: 2/7/04

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Classic Rock

Released: 10/7/03

Label URL: www.sanctuaryrecords.com

Artist URL: www.deep-purple.com

1/2

My favorite Deep Purple album is 1984's Perfect Strangers. That record was a cohesive set of tunes with an overall eerie and heavy vibe. Some of the releases (with Ian Gillan on vocals) that followed had their moments (1987's The House of Blue Light and 1993's The Battle Rages On), while others completely missed the mark (1996's Purpendicular and 1998's Abandon). Bananas is the band's first studio record in five years and it finds Purple with a new-found song writing vigor.

While guitarist Steve Morse's involvement didn't seem to mesh on Purpendicular and Abandon, the guys have finally figured out how to write songs that still sound like Deep Purple. "I Got Your Number" brings back memories of how great 70s rock was. The band is so tight on this-six minute track, and the mix of Morse's guitar and Don Airey's Hammond organ completely rule! Gillan always had a way with his words that made you want to sing along with him. Although this was completely absent on Purpendicular and Abandon, Bananas finds Gillan's lyrics back on track. Vocally, he's in very good form as well. While he's left the high-end screams behind, except as he intro's the first song "House Of Pain" and once in "Razzle Dazzle," his overall tone is the one that you remember from the days of old. Bananas does present some softer moments in "Haunted," "Walk On," and the acoustic "Never A Word," but the songs all sound good, varied, and give the album dimension. Still, they may not please fans of 'heavy' Purple. More pleasing will be the driving tracks, "House Of Pain," "Silver Tongue," "Razzle Dazzle," the aforementioned "I Got Your Number," and the title track, "Bananas." While the song is awesome (again a great keyboard and guitar rivalry!), I don't believe it was the right title for the album (and the album cover is even worse!). I think the title actually may deter fans because they may perceive the album to be somewhat blah. The best song on the record is "Sun Goes Down," as it is slow and dark, reminiscent of the Perfect Strangers era.

The Bloody Truth: Bananas is a surprising release as I thought Deep Purple were long past their song-writing prime. It has received a lot of play since I received it for review and will continue as part of my play-list. While they will probably never create another Perfect Strangers, Bananas is an amazing collection of songs and representative of the great musicians in the band. Props go out to Don Airey for keeping the Hammond alive on this record. He was a big part of its success. And clearly, this is a shining moment for Morse, as he has finally made his mark in the band. He is no longer just the guy who took over for Blackmore.