Artist: Deep Purple Album: Burn

Year: 1974
Duration: 42:32

A Critical Review of Deep Purple's Album “Burn”

Deep Purple is a legendary rock band that has won over the hearts of rock music enthusiasts worldwide. The band's contributions to rock music are countless, and they continue to inspire new generations of rock n' roll fans. One of their most notable albums is Burn, which was released in 1974. In this blog post, I'll take a critical look at the album's songs, the genre, its innovative parts, and provide my overall assessment.

The genre of Burn is often described as a blend between hard rock and heavy metal. This genre is quite common among the rock bands of the 1970s and 1980s. The album opens up with the track “Burn,” which sets the tone for the album's rest with its heavy guitar riffs and fast-paced drumming. The tracks Might just take your life and Sail Away are classic examples of Deep Purple's early sound, with Jon Lord's organ playing a pivotal role in the song while David Coverdale's powerful voice left every listener in awe.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is the contribution of Glenn Hughes to the songwriting with Coverdale. Burn was the first album where the two had worked together. Hughes' unique vocal range was utilized in the track “Lay Down, Stay Down,” where his screams and falsettos were complemented by Coverdale's tenor voice. Also, Hughes' groove-based bass was prominent in songs like Mistreated and What's Going On Here.

Another noteworthy aspect of the album is how each band member was allowed to showcase their musical prowess. Ritchie Blackmore's guitar solo on “Mistreated” is one of the most memorable and makes the song a fan favorite. Meanwhile, Lord's keyboard performance on “Might Just Take Your Life” is a demonstration of his understanding of rock music.

The best songs of the album are “Burn,” “Mistreated,” and “Lay Down, Stay Down. Burn is a captivating hard rock track that features powerful guitar riffs and dynamic drumming. Mistreated is an emotional ballad that sees Coverdale shine as he belts out the lyrics. Lay Down, Stay Down is a groove-based track, with its introduction featuring a killer bass line.

Now to the critic part: while the album has some fantastic tracks, there are a few parts where some listeners might want more. The album would have been even better if it had a few more tracks that showcase their full range of musical talents. Also, the songs tend to be a little lengthy, which could be cut down to improve the overall listening experience.

Burn is an excellent album that showcases the musical talents of Deep Purple. The songs on the album show the extensive range of the band's sound from hard rock to heavy metal. While the album has some shortcomings, it's still a great listen and an essential album for any rock music enthusiast. The band's dedication to their music has allowed them to be one of the most influential Rock n' roll bands of all time.