Artist: Deep Purple Album: Abandon

Year: 1998
Duration: 56:24

Deep Purple's Abandon: A Critical Review

Deep Purple, a band formed in Hertfordshire, England in 1968, is one of the pioneers of the hard rock genre. With iconic songs like Smoke on the Water and Highway Star, they have cemented their place in rock history. In 1998, the band released their fifteenth album, Abandon. This album marked a significant change in the band's sound and style, which was met with mixed reviews by both critics and fans alike. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Abandon, exploring the musical genre of the album, the standout tracks, the most innovative parts, and offer our opinion on the album.

The genre of Abandon is a departure from the hard rock sound that Deep Purple is known for. It leans more towards blues rock, with some more experimental elements. This approach is evident in the tracks Don't Make Me Happy and Bludsucker, which harken back to the band's earlier blues rock roots. However, there are still some hard rock moments, such as on the track Seventh Heaven, and When a Blind Man Cries.

The standout tracks on Abandon are Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming and Fingers to the Bone. Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming is an epic power ballad that showcases the range of Ian Gillan's vocals. The song builds up to an explosive chorus, complete with soaring guitars and crashing drums. On the other hand, Fingers to the Bone is a gritty blues rock number that features some of the album's best guitar work.

The most innovative parts of Abandon are found in the album's experimental tracks. A Castle Full of Rascals is an upbeat funk rock track with a groovy bassline and funky guitar riffs. Watching the Sky is a more atmospheric song that features a haunting string section and a dream-like quality.

Overall, Abandon is a mixed bag for Deep Purple fans. The album showcases the band's experimentation with different musical styles, which may be a turn-off for some fans. However, the album still has some fantastic tracks that are worth listening to. While the album may not be the band's strongest release, it is still an essential part of their discography.

In conclusion, Abandon is a fascinating album that shows Deep Purple's willingness to experiment with different musical genres. While it may not be a perfect album, it still contains some standout tracks that are worth listening to. This album shows that even after over 30 years of making music, Deep Purple remains a band that is still willing to push the boundaries of what hard rock can be.