Every band should get old like Deep Purple. True to what they love and used to do but not pretending that they are still in their 30s. "=1" is Deep Purple's twenty-third studio album, and the most significant change is Simon McBride, the new guitarist who joined the band after Steve Morse's departure and provided a spot on performance, especially regarding solos, all very inspired.
Three singles were released before the album, Portable Door, Picture of You, and Lazy Sod, all good songs, especially the last one, my favourite among the three. I love the opener Show Me, with vibrant verses and a fantastic solo section (Don Airey!). Roger Glover and Ian Paice still have it (great rhythm section in A Bit on the Side). The performance of Ian Gillan is overall great (considering that he is almost 80!) on the fast songs (check out Now You're Talking, one of my favourite songs on the album, with some high notes!) while the age shows up a little when the pace of the song is slower (the ballad If I Were You, for instance).
Speaking about ballads, I like I'll catch you, simple, with great lyrics and with a fantastic guitar solo. The last song of the album is the longest (almost 6 minutes) Bleeding Obvious features classy prog bits where the band shows all his class.
I love the old-school and simple production, with every instrument loud, clear, and distinguishable. The songwriting is perfectly balanced between vocals and classy solo parts, with the new guitarist perfectly blending with the band. I find the album inspired and extremely enjoyable in lots of episodes. I copy-paste it: Every band should get old like Deep Purple.
Rating 73/100
Top tracks: Show Me, Now You’re Talkin’, Lazy Sod.
Show Me
A Bit On The Side
Sharp Shooter
Portable Door
Old-Fangled Thing
If I Were You
Pictures Of You
I’m Saying Nothin’
Lazy Sod
Now You’re Talkin’
No Money To Burn
I’ll Catch You
Bleeding Obvious
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