Deep Purple - Machine Head
Genre: Hard rock
Deep Purple, hailed as the heaviest rock band of their time were one of three founders of the heavy metal genre, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. This album, along with "Led Zeppelin IV" and "Paranoid" by the aforementioned bands respectively, is considered one of the most important rock albums of all time.
It was recorded using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio in a Swiss hotel in Montreux in just over 2 weeks. It was originally going to be recorded in a concert hall, which was burnt to the ground with a flare gun during a Frank Zappa concert (and the incident was the inspiration for one of this albums all-time classics). It was recorded by what is considered Deep Purple's classic lineup; Ian Gillan (vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (lead guitar), Jon Lord (organ/keyboards/piano), Roger Glover (bass guitar) and Ian Paice (drums).
Highway Star
The opener and one of Deep Purple's most well-known songs, "Highway Star" was also vital in developing the speed metal genre, with Paice's fast-paced drumming and speedy guitar work by Blackmore. The song contains its first top-notch solo, performed by Lord on the organs. The true solo, however, which turns this song from excellent into a masterpiece comes after the next verse, performed by Blackmore on guitar. From when he starts working his fingers furiously, to when the distortion ends, it's one you're not likely to ever forget. My personal favourite out of this album and is just the first track, so the album's off to a great start.
Score: 10/10
Maybe I'm a Leo
Opens up with a drum intro, after which the main riff enters. This song is of a noticeably slower (much slower, actually) pace than the previous track. In itself, it's perhaps one of the weaker tracks off the album.
Score: 8/10
Pictures of Home
Like the previous track, starts with a drum intro before the main riff enters. The riff gives the song an enjoyable melody. The lyrics are sung in a first-person format about being alone on a mountain with emptiness, eagles and snow. The song contains a few solos on organ and guitar. Also, good vocal performance by Gillan, so almost all the band members have a chance to show off in this song, with few faults.
Score: 10/10
Never Before
The third song in a row with a drum intro, followed by the main riff. Not much to comment on as far as instruments are concerned, of which the best performance was by Ian Gillan's vocals.
Score: 8/10
Smoke On the Water
Deep Purple's most well-known song, with that opening riff you should be well familiar with, whether you listen to them or not. The song was inspired by a scene the band members witnessed of a concert hall up in flames by the waterside in Montreux, Switzerland. It was caused by a demented Frank Zappa fan which was referred to in the lyrics: Frank Zappa and the Mothers, had the best place around / Some stupid with a flare gun, burned the place to the ground. It follows verse-chorus format and then comes the guitar solo after the second chorus, before the final verse, which, while quite not being as powerful as that in "Highway Star" is still spectacular by any standards. It has earned a strongly positive reputation, which is well-deserved.
Score: 10/10
Lazy
Opens up with an organ intro, then the main riff. Contains various solos until Gillan starts singing at about 4:21. The song only contains a few singing parts and is mostly an instrumental, with Gillan playing harmonica at parts, containing various solos throughout. Good example of how skilled the band were with their instruments.
Score: 9/10
Space Truckin'
Fast-paced main riff, much like "Highway Star". It is perhaps the heaviest song on the album with Paice's drumming providing most of the strength, so try turning this one up loud and see (or hear) how it sounds. It is also an important live staple and is usually used when concluding their performances. The live version contains extended solos by Lord and Blackmore, sometimes taking the song from 4:34 to nearly 20:00.
Score: 9/10
Many people would consider this Deep Purple's best and with the strength of the songs contained, from relentlessly powerful songs to softer, more melodic scores, cannot be put to fault without at least taking into consideration its influence on music but especially the heavy metal scene.
Final score: 9.1/10
Genre: Hard rock
Deep Purple, hailed as the heaviest rock band of their time were one of three founders of the heavy metal genre, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. This album, along with "Led Zeppelin IV" and "Paranoid" by the aforementioned bands respectively, is considered one of the most important rock albums of all time.
It was recorded using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio in a Swiss hotel in Montreux in just over 2 weeks. It was originally going to be recorded in a concert hall, which was burnt to the ground with a flare gun during a Frank Zappa concert (and the incident was the inspiration for one of this albums all-time classics). It was recorded by what is considered Deep Purple's classic lineup; Ian Gillan (vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (lead guitar), Jon Lord (organ/keyboards/piano), Roger Glover (bass guitar) and Ian Paice (drums).
Highway Star
The opener and one of Deep Purple's most well-known songs, "Highway Star" was also vital in developing the speed metal genre, with Paice's fast-paced drumming and speedy guitar work by Blackmore. The song contains its first top-notch solo, performed by Lord on the organs. The true solo, however, which turns this song from excellent into a masterpiece comes after the next verse, performed by Blackmore on guitar. From when he starts working his fingers furiously, to when the distortion ends, it's one you're not likely to ever forget. My personal favourite out of this album and is just the first track, so the album's off to a great start.
Score: 10/10
Maybe I'm a Leo
Opens up with a drum intro, after which the main riff enters. This song is of a noticeably slower (much slower, actually) pace than the previous track. In itself, it's perhaps one of the weaker tracks off the album.
Score: 8/10
Pictures of Home
Like the previous track, starts with a drum intro before the main riff enters. The riff gives the song an enjoyable melody. The lyrics are sung in a first-person format about being alone on a mountain with emptiness, eagles and snow. The song contains a few solos on organ and guitar. Also, good vocal performance by Gillan, so almost all the band members have a chance to show off in this song, with few faults.
Score: 10/10
Never Before
The third song in a row with a drum intro, followed by the main riff. Not much to comment on as far as instruments are concerned, of which the best performance was by Ian Gillan's vocals.
Score: 8/10
Smoke On the Water
Deep Purple's most well-known song, with that opening riff you should be well familiar with, whether you listen to them or not. The song was inspired by a scene the band members witnessed of a concert hall up in flames by the waterside in Montreux, Switzerland. It was caused by a demented Frank Zappa fan which was referred to in the lyrics: Frank Zappa and the Mothers, had the best place around / Some stupid with a flare gun, burned the place to the ground. It follows verse-chorus format and then comes the guitar solo after the second chorus, before the final verse, which, while quite not being as powerful as that in "Highway Star" is still spectacular by any standards. It has earned a strongly positive reputation, which is well-deserved.
Score: 10/10
Lazy
Opens up with an organ intro, then the main riff. Contains various solos until Gillan starts singing at about 4:21. The song only contains a few singing parts and is mostly an instrumental, with Gillan playing harmonica at parts, containing various solos throughout. Good example of how skilled the band were with their instruments.
Score: 9/10
Space Truckin'
Fast-paced main riff, much like "Highway Star". It is perhaps the heaviest song on the album with Paice's drumming providing most of the strength, so try turning this one up loud and see (or hear) how it sounds. It is also an important live staple and is usually used when concluding their performances. The live version contains extended solos by Lord and Blackmore, sometimes taking the song from 4:34 to nearly 20:00.
Score: 9/10
Many people would consider this Deep Purple's best and with the strength of the songs contained, from relentlessly powerful songs to softer, more melodic scores, cannot be put to fault without at least taking into consideration its influence on music but especially the heavy metal scene.
Final score: 9.1/10
