Deep Purple – Whoosh!

Deep Purple
Whoosh
EarMusic Records
August 7, 2020
51:29

              There is no denying it, Deep Purple have been in somewhat of a ‘purple patch’, if you pardon the pun, since 2013 with the band reinvigorating their career with ‘Now What?!’ and ‘niFinite’. Now, less than two years later, Purple are back with their 21^st studio album, the rather uncreatively named ‘Whoosh!’.               It is no surprise that 50 years into their career, Deep Purple are not going to do anything out of the ordinary or surprising and therefore, ‘Whoosh!’ sticks almost rigidly to the formula lain down since 2013’s ‘Now What?!’ album. This is largely down to the influence from legendary producer Bob Ezrin; Ezrin has held the reins tight and brought a band that was limping into the nursing home back to the forefront of hard rock and has certainly dragged the best out of Purple. In all honesty, Deep Purple haven’t sounded this good in years and whilst tracks such as ‘Throw My Bones’, ‘Man Alive’ and ‘We’re All The Same In The Dark’ lack the youthful prowess of their early 70’s output, this is

now a band that has aged gracefully along with their audience. Furthermore, Purple do drink deep from the fountain of youth here and whilst Ian Gillan’s voice is a shadow of its former self; Don Airey and Steve Morse continue to show their musical prowess even if a decision has been taken to make them sound like Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore, it undoubtedly makes this album have a huge appeal. However, the cover of ‘And The Address…’ is rather pointless and adds nothing to the album, having all the feel of a bonus track.

               Purple have entered their twilight years in style, ‘Whoosh!’ might not break any ground for the band, but it does provide a safe, stable and enjoyable album that reminds us that Deep Purple have still got it.