Bananas

Eirik Solum (June 30, 2004)

Deep Purple never dies. Their newest, odd titeled studio album 'Bananas' is their third after Ritchie Blackmore left the camp. And their first after Jon Lord quit so Don Airey is now the organ player, and Steve Morse is the 'new' guitarist.

To me Steve Morse is wrong for Deep Purples sound. His style does not blend well with the other players. With a lot of distortion, fast cromatic country style playing, over notes and squeeks, he just fails to comunicate to this listener. I miss emotion and unpredictability.

Purpendicular, the first Morse era album showcased a revitalized band and renewed progressive focus. This qualities are now fading, as I see it.

Bananas is not a very bad album, but it's no killer either. The fantastic, creative song writing from the past (last heard in 1985 with the reunion album Perfect Strangers) is not there any more, Gillan does not sing with any power, compared to what he did, and the production is rather radio friendly.

Live Deep Purple is still really, really good! Therefore: forget the album - go see them!