The Purple are back, and yet again are “putting the 'Deep' back in Deep Purple” - in the band’s own words. Whoosh! is their twenty-first album (!) and frankly, one that only Purple could have made. Though the entire band sounds like they’re having a lot of fun, the album doesn’t quite whisk you away with a whoosh to the band’s headiest days in the 70s. Nothing on this album could challenge anything in stone-cold classics such as In Rock, Machine Head, or Fireball. Mind you, its great music for the fans, just not blazingly inventive or ground-breaking, rather more of a celebration, which suits these rock n’ roll hall of fame behemoths just fine. And going by the buzz it has generated online, looks like this album is here to stay.

They’re actually going poetic on this, but mind it, no boisterous barroom shenanigans or raunchy back alley yowling. Much has been spoken about the legendary Bob Ezrin production as well, which shows in the slick, tight sound of Whoosh!. Not raw, but wily.

The songs on Whoosh! feel like they have been written more around the keyboard than the guitar, and the final results align accordingly, with loads of 80s pop sheen and lushness, especially on songs like Step by Step and the darkly progressive The Power of the Moon. Even the second single of the album, Man Alive features great riffs and guitar solo, but sounds a li’l too much like an Iron Maiden concept song, with tons of annoying keyboards! Yes, you read that right!

The album opener, Throw My Bones is all swagger, taking a leaf straight of old Purple's chestnuts such as Lazy. The second track Drop Your Weapon is a rock n roller that’s bound to get you well, rock n rolling (of course), clapping your hands, shaking your heads; total boomer style!

But there are ballsy hard rock riffs, swinging blues, pumping bass lines, and nifty drum work that blossoms in the mix as well. The album opener, Throw My Bones is all swagger, taking a leaf straight of old Purple's chestnuts such as Lazy. The second track Drop Your Weapon is a rock n roller that’s bound to get you well, rock n rolling (of course), clapping your hands, shaking your heads; total boomer style! Chunky, tight bass and drums, Don Airey leaps and prances on the keys with flair, and  (Steve) Morse’s tight guitar lines weave tightly around the rhythm sections.

Nothing At All reminded me of Morse’s own pre-Purple band (Steve Morse Band) and songs such as Tumeni Notes - great guitar and keyboard interplay, but again unlike DP. Songs such as No Need to Shout and What the What start off with great riffs but lose themselves somewhere around the middle. Instrumental offering Remission Possible is interesting and crisp. The closing track is the brilliant And the Address, the first song from Purple first record in 68, which carries (Ritchie) Blackmore’s touch all over it. Loved the fact that they closed with this one, making a powerful statement and closure on an illustrious career (or maybe not!).

Whoosh! is shamelessly 70s with 21st-century production values, though all that bluster that characterised the trademark DP sound is somewhat missing.

Purple clearly don’t give a shit on this record. It's shamelessly 70s again with 21st-century production values, though all that bluster that characterised the trademark DP sound is somewhat missing. Or, maybe I’m just biased to Blackmore’s bluster. Final point: Can Purple outdo themselves? No. Is this a fun record? Hell yeah. So, play it loud! 

The writer is an opinionated geezer with love for music, beer, pot, art, tattoos, and explorations. He believes life wouldn't be the same without Led Zeppelin or the warmth of sunshine, people, and tube amps.