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Music review: Deep Purple – ëƵInFiniteëƵ

By Clint Rhodes for The 3 min read
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Deep Purple refuses to fade away.

The British rock icons unleash a rousing 10-track set that features a vintage sound found on earlier releases from the ëƵ70s such as ëƵDeep Purple in RockëƵ and the classic ëƵMachine Head.ëƵ ëƵInFiniteëƵ is Deep PurpleëƵs 20th album and comes after the bandëƵs induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Deep Purple will always hold a special place in my heart. Like most kids aspiring to become rock stars in the early ëƵ70s, the very first song I learned how to play on my brotherëƵs guitar was ëƵSmoke on the Water.ëƵ IëƵll admit it is an easy song to learn, but it is also one heck of a great rock track packaged along with other classics like ëƵSpace Truckin'ëƵ and ëƵHighway Star.ëƵ It seemed every cool kid in school owned a copy of ëƵMachine HeadëƵ as all prospective guitarists looked up to Ritchie Blackmore in complete awe.

While Deep Purple has gone through several lineup changes since forming in 1968, original drummer Ian Paice and longtime members Ian Gillan (lead vocals) and Roger Glover (bassist) carry on the bandëƵs reputation for delivering gutsy rock tunes with heavy splashes of blues and progressive rock with assistance from keyboardist Don Airey and guitarist Steve Morse.

After producing Deep PurpleëƵs last release, Bob Ezrin is back for more and does a masterful job of getting the most out the veteran band that has sold 120 million albums worldwide and still counting.

ëƵTime for BedlamëƵ is the haunting album opener propelled by GillanëƵs commanding vocals and AireyëƵs soaring keyboards giving the hard-hitting track an Emerson, Lake and Palmer and King Crimson aura.

ëƵHip BootsëƵ follows and is reminiscent of early Led Zeppelin with a fiery, blues-and-rock feel that is once again fueled by GillanëƵs inspired vocals and the guitar work of Morse.

ëƵAll I Got Is YouëƵ is the albumëƵs top-notch lead single and showcases each musicianëƵs skills as the track builds momentum until finally coming to a frantic close.

A soulful cover of the DoorsëƵ ëƵRoadhouse BluesëƵ brings the album to a bluesy ending, once again highlighted by GillanëƵs engaging vocals and AireyëƵs passionate keyboards.

Deep Purple will make a Pittsburgh appearance on Sept. 1 with Alice Cooper. My tickets are already purchased, and my expectations are high as I prepare to see the band for the very first time. Rest assured, IëƵll be secretly playing air guitar when ëƵSmoke on the WaterëƵ breaks out.

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