Album Review: Deep Purple - Now What

It's an unenviable task being Deep Purple in 2013. No matter what the proud brigade of 60-something chaps get up to their endeavours are forever going to be measured against the many classics they created in the 1970s. And let's face it, Deep Purple are no longer the sonic juggernaut they once were. While we continue to expect mammoth guitar riffs, wild Hammond organ extravaganzas and ear-piercing shrieks, Deep Purple in 2013 are more about producing comparatively polite and restrained dad rock.

And herein lies the problem; if you judge Now What by the standards of In Rock, Machine Head, Burn or even 1984's Perfect Strangers you're going to be mightily disappointed. But if you're prepared to take this album for what it is – a collection of tightly crafted and well-written rock'n'roll tunes – then you're in for a treat. Ian Gillan no longer hits insanely high notes but his vocals remain idiosyncratic and memorable. Steve Morse's guitar licks are also memorable, particularly when they work in tandem with the organ work of Don Airey on the likes of the gothic Vincent Price and the album's most old-school track, the infectious Hell To Pay. Of course the rhythm section of Roger Glover and Ian Paice are flawless and they perfectly anchor slower (Above And Beyond, Blood From A Stone) and faster numbers (A Simple Song and Weirdistan) alike.

Deep Purple are no longer the revolutionary force they once were, but that doesn't diminish their worth. Now What is a solid collection of tunes that the band's devoted fanbase will adore. It may even win over casual fans and the curious.