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I got introduced to this one rather late, given who I was listening to 10 years before. It was in the mid 90’s and it was courtesy of the guy sitting next to me at work. He usually listened to country and folk. But one day he brought in this and Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. Never took to Ozzy’s old band, but I enjoyed “Machine Head” enough that I went and got my own copy.
It is funny how changes in music change our perceptions. Back in 1972 when this was released, it was consider some of the heaviest music ever recorded and helped usher in heavy metal movement. After listening to the likes of Metallica (who are tame by comparison to others now), this is just rock ‘n roll. But it’s filled with great hooks, fun, catchy tunes (by today’s standards) and cool riffs. And I am not just talking about “Smoke on the Water” which has been overplayed by guitar students the world wide.
The thing that probably draws me the most to this album, and where I think Deep Purple might have had it over other bands from their era, was Jon Lord. They embraced the organ as a key component (no pun intended) of their music. Lord does a great solo on the opening track. And you can hear the wailing and growling sounds of the Hammond throughout the album. If you love organ in rock, it’s almost worth buying this just to hear the opening four minutes of “Lazy”.
Of course Jon Lord is not the only stand-out on the album. Even though he is a pompous ass, you can’t help but enjoy some of Blackmore’s work. Glover and Paice are a very competent rhythm section. Nothing fancy, yet cool at the same time. And Ian Gillian, though his voice has changed a bit over the years, back then was probably the best vocalist on the heavy metal scene. Guys like Robert Plant and Ozzy Osbourne moaned, screamed, shouted, and shrieked. Gillian might scream from time to time, but he would sing, and sing well.
And just to clear up something, I am not a fan for overplayed songs. Though I make fun of “Smoke on the Water”, there is a story behind the song that gave me more respect for it. If you don’t know it, go read the story on Wikipedia. It is the events that hampered the recording of this very album. Next time you listen to the song, concentrate on the lyrics.
9/10
