Although Deep Purple’s 1972 classic album Machine Head was both a commercial and critical success for the group, the cracks began to appear for Deep Purple. They were burned out and exhausted beyond belief, and all had suffered individually, some form of illness, in a bit of a voodoo magic sort of phenomenon. In any case, instead of taking some form of break, which would have been a good idea, Deep Purple returned to the studio to make their final album in their classic line-up for many years. Yes, they were very much torn apart. Still, they decided to make a final effort in this lineup and delivered an effort that was considered to have mixed results. This was due to following a more traditional Blues-style sound, a bit of a left turn for Deep Purple. Recorded in the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, self-produced by Deep Purple and running for nearly 35 minutes, this ought to be an interesting listening experience. This album was released on 13 January 1973. Deep Purple were: Ian Gillan (vocals); Ritchie Blackmore (guitars); Roger Glover (bass guitar); Jon Lord (keyboards) and Ian Paice (drums). Let’s take a listen to this album to this album and we shall hear what it sounds like.

1. Woman From Tokyo begins with some intricate drumming and launches into a heavy and interesting Rock Music tune that sounds loose and, quite frankly, for Deep Purple at this stage, unfocused. Soon enough, it launches into a sensationally good and cool Rock groove. Ian Gillan rips a sweet vocal, and the tune gets going nicely. This is a tune about loving a Japanese lady from Tokyo, and it is a strong listen after a shaky start. Very, very cool to listen to, all the same. This sounds gloriously amazing, particularly the breakdown with keyboard spacey styled sounds. Sweet and awesome throughout. This obviously was not going to be the best album to follow up Machine Head (1972) with, but all the same, it sounds full of energy and magically wonderful. The music breakdown in the second half, with piano, hi-hats and many layers of sound, followed by the groovy Rock section, is really fantastic to hear. This is the Progressive Rock anthem for those of you out there who like Classic Rock and East Asian ladies. Nonetheless, this is a very cool and interesting listen. The piano towards the end is really nice to hear, as are the intricate guitar parts throughout. A solid song that was a hit single at the time, one can exactly hear why. A really interesting and powerful tune to hear. Worth it from start to finish.

2. Mary Long begins with some trippy keyboards and launches right into a dramatic and punchy tune about an undesirable lady at hand. This is a little out there and quirky for a Deep Purple tune, and it has some extremely dated and sexist lyrics throughout, even for 1973. Even so, this does sound really good as a song. This album comes across as better than expected. This is a far-out listen throughout, and it sounds like a good and pounding 1970s song. The guitars and soloing throughout sound absolutely sweet and enjoyable to listen to, with Ritchie Blackmore showcasing his musical brilliance throughout. This is a punchy and offensive song that legitimately sounds really great as well. No doubt Kid Rock would have taken some of his ideas from such vile and sexist-sounding lyrics throughout. In any case, this is another good and wacky tune, with a tempo change and some neat drumming with intense vocals to conclude with. Deep Purple still had some magic within them musically. Nonetheless, a good tune to hear.

3. Super Trouper is a short and energetic piece of Rock Music with heavy Fender Stratocasters and some interesting performances by Deep Purple. The chorus has a ton of flanger-style sound effects on it all, and sounds very different as a result. This music is cool, calm and clever throughout, and has a decent Progressive/Psychedelic Rock edge. Nonetheless, this does sound really energetic, different and fantastic to hear throughout. A thunderous tune with an interesting and sublime guitar solo with a slide guitar styled approach, this sounds super cool. Ritchie Blackmore sounds awesome as a guitar player, without a doubt or question about it all. Nonetheless, a really sweet and energetic tune that sounds layered and inspired. Very, very cool to hear.

4. Smooth Dancer begins with some groovy and punchy instrumentation, matched by some gloriously good vocals by Ian Gillan. This tune is about a lady who is a freelancer and a dancer, like a stripper of some sort. Again, very, very sexist. A weird tune to listen to, but it sounds musically and sonically accomplished throughout. This tune is a quirky and different listen, even if the lyrics are atrocious throughout. The piano and music are attractive to hear throughout, all the same. A wacky organ solo is present on the second half of this song, which is a really excellent listen and a must hear throughout. All in all, this does sound really cool, even if this is likely about a lap dancer. A cool tune with some of the worst lyrics that Deep Purple could write, this still sounds really powerful and lively, all the same. Worth a listen if you can hear this, this song is different, all right. It ends with a smooth and different fade out.

5. Rat Bat Blue begins with a sweet and funkily memorable guitar riff, which launches into a multitracked piece of music mayhem. This sounds absolutely fantastic throughout, and it just sounds extremely cool to listen to. A really great and extremely enjoyable listening experience throughout, this music is sensationally cool to listen to. This is most definitely one of the highlights of this album, and it sounds excellently wonderful throughout. This music is a really sweet tune to hear. It is a solidly sensational riff-heavy piece of music that is catchy, enjoyable and musically accessible. This is a real winner, with an unusual and simplistically catchy organ solo, with a tempo change. This also has a pseudo-Classical Music sounding solo section, which is bizarre yet frenetically awesome. This is a fantastic listen, even if this album was not seen in the same light as other Deep Purple releases. A very, very good listen throughout. Supremely cool, Deep Purple made some fantastic music back in the early 1970s. Very cool, you need a pair of Ray Ban shades for this tune. Absolutely excellent listening from start to finish, this sounds absolutely mega and wonderful listening from start to finish. A cool tune to hear, this sounds enjoyable and wonderful from start to finish. Sweet. The fade out is top.

6. Place in Line launches into it and does not sound at all natural or good. This is a clear example of where it was going wrong for Deep Purple at the time. It sounds a little mediocre until Ian Gillan launches into a soaring vocal throughout, with a multi-octave delivery throughout. Even so, this isn’t the greatest or most inspirational song that Deep Purple ever delivered. All in all, this music is different, even if the band had totally burned out by this point. Which does and can happen to a band that has relentlessly recorded, toured and performed for so long. Soon enough, it launches into a more upbeat section of music that sounds more concise and interesting. A very, very cool and awesome listening experience all the same, the guitar solo is clean, clear and magical throughout. This showcases Ritchie Blackmore’s magic as a guitarist throughout. It does sound intricate and interesting throughout this particular section, even if this song is basically flawed. A break for a little bit may have helped the band have time and the ability to refresh themselves. This does sound really cool, all the same, and the music is still as strong today as it was in 1973. An organ solo follows, and this tune sounds very lively at this point. The music still sounds supercharged and fun, to this very day. A deep and wonderful listen, in its own way, although it could have been cut down in length somewhat. This music is really strong to hear in all ways, and it delivers what it promises throughout. Ian Gillan finishes off singing this song nicely, and the bass guitar jam towards the end is refreshing.

7. Our Lady is the final track on the main album. It begins with the sound of an imitated guitar 60-cycle hum on organ, which is different, and quickly launches into a superb and bombastic listen. This is a good song to conclude with, and the musicianship and performances are nothing but amazing throughout. This music is much better than expected, and it sounds really cool as well. The singing is sublime, and this tune deserves a lot more praise than what it originally received, as does the album as well. There is a spacey breakdown with some loose drum hits, before returning back into the impressive song at hand. This sounds original, different and sweet throughout. Deep Purple still obviously had some mojo about them at this point. A really driven and thoughtful tune to hear, this album is far better than anything done in the name of postmodern contemporary music. The sounds and playing are a representation of outer space and inner space exploration. A ridiculously cool and interesting song to hear. Deep Purple had a lot going on in their lives at this time, but could still make some warped and interesting sounds in their music. A killer tune to hear, all the same. Still worth your ears, even through to the bombastic faded outro. Extremely nice to listen to.

This album really deserves more credit than it gets. It sounds joyous, wonderful and creatively good, even when at times, the quality isn’t as good as what one would have hoped for. Still, this is a very good album to listen to. It may not be the absolute best of Deep Purple, but it is a real joy to hear, all the same. Some subtle editing may have benefited this album, but that aside, it is still a strong effort. Should you listen to this album? If you like Psychedelic/Progressive Rock and other Deep Purple efforts, this is still worth a try. Fans of Punk Music will find this distasteful, however.

A solidly good effort beyond all expectations.

8/10