[% META title = 'Bananas' %]

Here we go, after a listen and a half...

House of Pain
A decent rocker. Good to get a real rocker as an opener after the shuffles of the two previous albums (although I love those two songs!). 4/5

Sun Goes Down
A very heavy, atmospherical rocker. One of the best songs undoubtedly. 4+/5

Haunted
Why are you all so negative?! The chorus of this song almost brings me tears! That is how beautiful Ian Gillan sings the lovely melody. Such heartfelt vocals haven't been heard from Ian since the PS album. 4-/5

Razzle Dazzle
Probably the worst of the lot. May grow, though... 2/5

Silver Tongue
Pretty cool regular groove-rocker. 3/5

Walk On
Very, very nice slow tune. Will absolutely grow on me. 4/5

Pictures of Innocence
At the start, Steve sounds like Ritchie a lot. Some potential in this one, but it needs many more listens. 3/5

I've got your Number
Sounds like those "half made songs" in the second half of "Abandon". 3-/5

Never a Word
Wow! Very heart-moving. Almost Mike Oldfield-ish. Is that really Ian singing? I hope this one will end up on the tour set list. Truly, truly unique in the Purple cannon. 4/5

Bananas
YEAH! A new classic DP-rocker. Enough twists to satisfy my progressive mind! The classical Morse/Airey duet makes this one the album's standouttrack. I've missed these kinds of instrumental parts. But - no return after the solos?! Surely, there must be a full version awaiting release? 4+/5

Doing it Tonight
Super! Calypso/Reggae Rock! Lovely melody. Cool lyrics..."I imagine, we'll be doing it tonight". This song really made me happy! 4+/5

Contact Lost
Here again, Steve sounds like Ritchie ("Vielleicht..."). Or is it Gary Moore? Or Brian May ("Bijou")? The folk tune feeling of this short instrumental makes it a worthy closing tune. 4/5

Summary: The most playful Purple album since... the beginning?! Some songs need extra listens, some are fantastic already, "Razzle Dazzle" is probably a hopeless case. For me, that is!

Daniel Reichberg, Uppsala, Sweden

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