At a time when the music world was going through unprecedented changes in its history, Deep Purple, like the phoenix, rises from its ashes after an eight-year absence. Leaving behind renowned bands such as Black Sabbath, Rainbow or Whitesnake, the members of Purple Mark II took up hostilities where they had left them in 1972 with " Who Do We Think We Are ". The Coverdale/Hughes 'soul' period is over, as is the Hard of "In Rock" or the mastery of "Machine Head". Deep Purple does not look back and bases itself on its assets and its maturity to propose us a new formula: a melodic rock, tinted of Rythm And Blues and garnished with sometimes very fun lyrics of Gillan, a strong rhythmic having an unequalled groove, an omnipresent Hammond organ and a guitarist already in the legend.
With a pleasantly sober cover, "Perfect Strangers" starts with the huge "Knockin' At Your Back Door". Every element of the formula listed above is present. The keyboard/bass intro and the upbeat rhythm take us on a 7-minute journey of dynamic and exciting Rock. The other hit is the famous "Perfect Strangers", a heavy and mystical track, dominated by Lord's keyboard line. Gillan's vocals are once again bewitching and catch us at each of his interventions.
Other tracks, not all of which have had the opportunity to shine live, are just as deserving. "Under The Gun" is a very angry and inspired rock on which Blackmore mistreats his Fender as in the days of "In Rock". The riff on "Nobody's Home" is very reminiscent of "Lay Down Stay Down" but, being quieter, it reinforces its effectiveness. The neoclassical "Gypsy's Kiss" takes us back to the blessed period of "Highway Star" and "Wasted Sunset", "We All Came Out To Montreux" resounds again in an autobiographical "Hungry Daze", which has, with its keyboard riff, a seriousness to "Battle Rages On". Only "Mean Streak" seems to miss the point a bit with a style quite different from the habits of the band.
You will have understood, you are dealing with an album quite simply essential in the long career of Deep Purple. Especially since on the bonus side, the band added a nervous and dark "Not Responsible" and a Dantesque "Son Of Aleric", a kind of instrumental jam of 10 minutes, all in feeling, making the most of Blackmore and Paice's playing. This title is a great musical moment, not far from "Child In Time", if you like it. Unavoidable!