Ranking the Discography Part XVIII: Rapture of the Deep

Rapture of the Deep was released in 2005. Unlike the last two albums, this album isn’t skipped on Spotify. The album reached #81 in the UK and #43 in the US.

Members:

Ian Gillan: vocals

Steve Morse: guitar

Roger Glover: bass

Dan Airey: keyboards

Ian Paice: drums

The Tracks:

1. “Money Talks”: This is a great opener. Steve and Roger have great chemistry, and Steve has an excellent solo.
2. “Girls Like That”: Airey’s keyboards really shine here.
3. “Wrong Man”: The rhythm section sounds great.
4. ” Rapture of the Deep “:The title track is the best song on the album, and another chance for Airey to shine.
5. ” Clearly Quite Absurd”: I didn’t like this at first, but on the second listen, it sounded better.
6. “Don’t Let Go”: I love Airey’s solo.
7. ” Back to Back”: Some solid drumming and two great solos from Morse and Airey.
8. “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”: The rhythm slams on this.
9. ” Junkyard Blues “: Paice kills it on the drums.
10. ” Before Time Began”: The closer has good bass and keys.

Final Verdict: While Gillan’s singing isn’t that great anymore, everyone else, especially Airey, makes up for it. This album really allows him to shine.

Grade: B+

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Ranking the Discography: Deep Purple Part XVII: Bananas (2003)

Released in 2003, Bananas was the first album to feature the current lineup of Deep Purple, with Ian Paice as the only remaining founding member. Jon Lord was replaced by current keyboardist Don Airey, whose previous credits included Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne (on Blizzard of Ozz and Bark at the Moon) , and Empire.

Members:

Ian Gillan: vocals

Steve Morse: guitar

Don Airey: keyboards

Roger Glover: bass

Ian Paice: drums

The Tracks:

1. “House of Pain”: Paice’s drumming is good, but Gillan’s voice is shot.
2. ” Sun Goes Down”: Airey is trying on the keys, but it’s not working.
3. “Haunted”: It tries to be a good slow song, but it doesn’t work.
4. ” Razzle Dazzle”: Finally, a good song!
5. “Silver Tongue”: Morse has a good riff going, but Gillan still sounds like he could use a voice coach.
6. “Walk On”: We finally get to hear Airey play some keyboards. One of the few good songs.
7. “Picture of Innocence” : Another good song, with Morse doing some great guitar work.
8. “I’ve Got Your Number” : This is decent.
9. “Never a Word”: Are we trying to be a subpar Pink Floyd?
10. ” Bananas”: I like the harmonica on this.
11. “Doing It Tonight”: Morse is the only good part, but even that doesn’t work.
12. ” Contact Lost”: A short instrumental requiem for the crashed Space Shuttle Columbia. It’s gorgeous.

Final Verdict: In case you can’t tell, this album is a disappointment. I had to go on YouTube for this, Spotify is doing Deep Purple a favor by skipping this album.

Grade: D