Real joy flowing through it
An online publication called Cult Following somewhat belatedly, but eloquently reviews =1:
New hard rock from the Smoke on the Water gang. Some things never change. With Deep Purple, a lacklustre album image and the promise of unwavering rock fundamentals are a guarantee. No problem for those stuck with this sound for decades but some bands never evolve. Does =1 give Deep Purple a chance to grow their noise? Yes. Do they take it? Sort of. The variations to their style and sound here are unexpected but not necessarily unique or all that world-beating. If anything, the band has turned away from the rock which formed them and towards alternative rock. It will send shivers down the spine of those ABandOn purists. Shivers of joy. There is a grunge feel to =1, a deeper feel to their sound which gives way to a surprise depth and interest. A blur of noise worth listening to.
Continue reading in the Cult Following.
A good review & I agree in more ways than one. A nice balanced view on =1 & the core of the Deep Purple songwriting along with ‘new’ blood & Don Airey’s new found enthusiasm, gets the album over the line & passing the proverbial pub test. Interesting but so true with the ‘Yes’ comment. Jon Anderson has recently released a new album with the Band Geeks & it sounds like 90’s Yes to my ears, with a hint at times of the 70’s virtuoso music thrown in. It is what he has to do these days in the sense that Howe refuses to work with him. As Anderson was a founding member, lead vocalist & principle songwriter, he has had to go it alone along with those exhilarating virtuoso Geek Band members to get it done. Life eh? Sorry for going off the DP topic a little there, but the reviewer opened the door somewhat. Still good to hear some new ‘classic’ rock from both artists these days, with a ‘modern’ twist to it. Cheers.
October 5th, 2024 at 21:20