Deep Purple – = 1

Deep Purple
= 1
Label: earMusic
Out: July 19^th, 2024
Playing time: 52:11

Author: Erich Robbers (Rockcastle Franken)

British Hard Rock legends Deep Purple have had some funny album names in the recent past. ‘Now What ?!’ or “Whoosh!” should be mentioned here. And the new album also contributes to momentary amazement with ‘=1’. Simon McBride has been Purple’s new guitarist since 2022, replacing the long-serving Steve Morse. He now gets his first album honours. And the fact that he is a fantastic guitarist and fits in perfectly with Deep Purple was shown not least by his solo album ‘The Fighter’, on which his qualities could be recognised.

While they experimented a little with the sound on ‘Whoosh!’, ‘=1’ delivers almost without exception solid Purple Hard Rock that continues to write the story of the legend in a straightforward and catchy way. The album begins somewhat playfully with ‘Show Me’, a great organ groover with a polyphonic chorus. Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey and ‘youngster’ Simon McBride also make their mark on the album and once again impress with their typical Classic Hard Rock. Casual numbers such as ‘A Bit On The Side’ with a fine keyboard tapestry solo and somewhat crazy guitar riffs or the foot-tapper ‘I’m Saying Nothing’ and ‘No Money To Burn’ are evidence of an enormous understanding of melody and brilliant harmony vocals.

‘Pictures Of You’ begins cheerfully, relies on a strong twin guitar solo and ends quite calmly. Also ‘I’ll Catch You’ starts ballad-like and delivers narrative vocal lines from Ian Gillan. Surprisingly, Don Airey makes use of some keyboard tapestry and doesn’t just rely on the Jon Lord memorial organ. A circumstance that is absolutely good for the sound of Deep Purple in 2024.

There’s a bit of a southern feeling in ‘Old-Fangled Thing’ with a sudden scream towards the end. The finale with ‘Bleeding Obvious’ first fires out a guitar double before Simon McBride starts a frantic part. This is countered by more relaxed moments and wonderful melodies that bring the album back to the point.

‘=1’ is another exclamation mark in the late autumn of Deep Purple. The new guitarist comes across as a fresh cell cure and the seasoned gentlemen once again refuse to be labelled as old hat. Enhanced by Bob Ezrin with a strong sound, Deep Purple show who still wears the trousers in Classic Hard Rock. They just keep on going, outstanding.

Deep Purple – Lazy Sod: https://youtu.be/bbkNm739ULA?si=-Bl2tZxbVbP4SRXO

Lineup:

Ian Paice – Drums, Percussion
Roger Glover – Bass, Vocals
Ian Gillan – Vocals
Don Airey – Keyboards, Organ
Simon McBride – Guitars

Track list:

• Show Me
• A Bit On The Side
• Sharp Shooter
• Portable Door
• Old-Fangled Thing
• If I Were You
• Pictures Of You
• I’m Saying Nothin’
• Lazy Sod
• Now You’re Talkin’
• No Money To Burn
• I’ll Catch You
• Bleeding Obvious

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