Artist: Deep Purple Album: Slaves and Masters

Year: 1990
Duration: 0:0-1

A Deep Dive into Deep Purple's Album “Slaves and Masters”

Deep Purple, one of the greatest rock bands of all time, has a discography that spans over five decades. They are a band that has gone through different phases and genres, producing incredible music with every release. However, one of the lesser-known and mid-career albums is “Slaves and Masters.” This album marked a significant transition for the band as they shifted from hard rock to a more commercial sound. In this blog post, we will take a critical review of “Slaves and Masters,” the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critique of the album.

The Music Genre of the Album:

“Slaves and Masters” was released in 1990, and it was a departure from Deep Purple's traditionally hard rock genre. It saw the band adopting a more commercial sound, mainly influenced by the American hard rock sound of that era. The result was a slick, polished sound that reflected the growing influence of MTV and radio airplay. The album was a somewhat awkward fit for the band's history, but it brought about some fascinating experimentation and exploration.

The Best Songs of the Album:

“Slaves and Masters” has eight tracks, and it is one of the shortest albums in Deep Purple's vast discography. The album's most notable song is Love Conquers All. The song starts with a mellow piano riff and soon builds up to a powerful chorus that demonstrates the band's mastery of melody and harmony. Another standout track is Wicked Ways, a slow and contemplative song that showcases the band's sensitive side.

The Most Innovative Parts:

One of the most innovative parts of “Slaves and Masters” lies in the vocal harmony work. The band's lead singer, Ian Gillan, had left the group in 1989, and Joe Lynn Turner stepped in to fill his shoes. Turner brought a new energy and vocal style to the band, which is evident in the album's harmonies. The band experimented with different vocal arrangements and layered vocal parts to create a fuller sound that worked well with the album's commercial approach.

A Critique of the Album:

“Slaves and Masters” was undoubtedly a commercial album, and it received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. Many fans accused the band of selling out, while others were receptive to the new sound. The album's production is also a subject of criticism as it sounds too polished and lacks the grit and rawness that defined Deep Purple's earlier work. Nevertheless, the album should be viewed as a historical artifact of the band's journey, exploring new sounds and approaches.

Overall, “Slaves and Masters” is a critical album in Deep Purple's discography that marked a transition in the band's sound and approach. The album is worth exploring, even if only for the sake of understanding the band's evolution. It is a shining example of how a band can reinvent itself and adapt to changing musical climates while still maintaining its essence and identity. It may not be the best album from the band, but it is an essential piece of rock history that should not be overlooked.