Deep Purple: =1 Review

Rubbing shoulders with “rock royalty” isn’t something I can brag about in my as-of-yet unwritten, untitled, and unpublished biography. However, reviewing the latest release from a bonafide legend of the genre is the next best thing. Despite the wear and tear on their big fat tires and umpteen line-up changes, Deep Purple continues to smoke on the water, with their pioneering, heavy Hammond-driven sound spanning over a magnificent seven decades.

While their glory days will inevitably be stapled to the Mark II carnation of the band, it’s important we acknowledge their recent hot streak, which has seen two of their records (2013’s Now WHAT?! and 2017’s inFinite) certified gold. Let’s not blank their last effort either — 2020’s Whoosh! was a triumphant long player and fun a plentiful in every sense. Not only did it scream stadium-sized shades of vintage Deep Purple, but it also deserves acclaim as a great modern rock album.

It’s also a contender for best album of producer Bob Ezrin’s tenure, as well as the guitar work of the now sadly departed Steve Morse, who left in 2022 to care for his sick wife. As we’re all aware, some old rock bands don’t age well, but Deep Purple are far from spent and endured — in fact, their quite the opposite.

Their latest recruit, guitarist Simon McBride, has been touring with the band for the past few years and is a name likely to be familiar with many blues-rock fans. Still five years short of reaching the big 50, the experienced Northern Irish musician is still very much a baby compared to the rest of the Purple pack. But does a shot of young blood in this half-century-old outfit stop Father Time from rearing its wrinkly face on the peculiarly titled =1?

McBride brings a freshness and heavier complexion to the summation, although the longer format has been somewhat distilled, with the bulk of the 13 songs clocking in between three and four minutes. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Take the effortless straight, driving rock of “Lazy Sod”, which manages to squeeze in two brilliant guitar solos and two superb keyboard solos in less than four minutes.

Gillan’s voice has lost none of its colour, charm, and identity, even if the fireworks don’t quite have the bang they used to. Then again, let’s give the guy a break—he’s touching 80 and still outshines many of his contemporaries.

First single “Portable Door” recalls Black Night and Strange Kind Of Woman, minus the frenzy. There’s an unmistakable Deep Purple shuffle, with Airey’s driving organ weaving through the hinges. If the great Jon Lord is listening up above, he’ll be smiling. McBride’s intensity and ingenuity are also to be admired on this catchy, riffy number, while the tried and trusted rhythm section of Roger Glover and Ian Paice are as tight as ever.

“Sharp Shooter” sees McBride bring another almighty riff to the Purple party. Some typically crazy Gillan lyrics are thrown in for good measure. You can’t help but love the wonderfully titled romp of “Old-Fangled Thing” with its improvisational, almost funky feel and the guitar/keyboard interplay that die-hard fans cherish.

Gillan sings beautifully on the album’s only ballad, “If I Were You”, backed by a glorious melody and a tastefully understated guitar solo. Many of the tracks evoke past Purple eras, but they still sound contemporary, crisp, and, above all, confident.

“Pictures Of You” is the epitome of this, capturing the groove, the tone, the pocket, and the classic hard rock, organ-driven noise. I especially dig the chorus hook, and guitar tone and lick in the intro, but I will leave it up to you to taste the latest version of this legendary band.

Whether we like it or not, McBride and especially Airey are as much the soul of Deep Purple as the three highway stars that command the rich purple palette. If this revitalised line-up is anything to go by, retirement seems a long way from lurking around the corner. You can’t beat class, and this fine equation of melodic hard rock is just that.

The Review: 8/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Old-Fangled Thing
– Lazy Sod
– Portable Door
– Pictures Of You

The Big Hit

– Lazy Sod