Rainbow Discography

In 1974, Ritchie Blackmore, frustrated with the funk/soul direction of Deep Purple's Stormbringer, as well as the band's rejection of his desire to record a cover tune, decided to record the song as a solo single track. He brought in the band Elf (minus their guitarist), who had supported Deep Purple on previous tours, as his backing musicians. However, Blackmore and singer Ronnie James Dio quickly discovered a musical chemistry, which prompted Blackmore to leave Deep Purple and form Rainbow.

From 1975 - 1984, and again from 1994 - 1997, the band included a staggering 24 musicians (featuring seven bassists, six drummers, six keyboardists, four singers, and one very tempermental guitarist). The early recordings with Dio are fan favorites, and were influential in the development of many of today's progressive and power metal bands.

Rising (1976) - 97.98
Well, it doesn't get much better than this. This is actually my second-highest rated album, and needless to say, there's not a bad song to be found. Side two of the original LP may be the best album side in rock and metal history, with two tracks (Stargazer and A Light In the Black) totalling almost 17 minutes of sheer musical bliss. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Stargazer, A Light In the Black, Tarot Woman, Starstruck

Stranger In Us All (1995) - 88.10
Ritchie Blackmore reforms Rainbow after a tumultuous 10 year stint with the reformed Deep Purple. The album features an all-new lineup (including future wife and Blackmore's Night founding partner Candice Night as songwriter and off-stage background singer) and is an excellent conclusion to the Rainbow studio discography. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Ariel, Hall of the Mountain King

Straight Between the Eyes (1982) - 86.27
Rainbow finally achieve commercial success (not a bad thing, by the way) with power ballad Stone Cold leading the way. The album title allegedly came from Jeff Beck, who used the phrase when describing Jimi Hendrix to Blackmore. Blackmore tucked it away for years, finally deciding this was the time to use it. It's hard to disagree. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Death Alley Driver, Stone Cold, Eyes of Fire

Down to Earth (1979) - 86.00
Graham Bonnett replaces Dio on vocals, and not surprisingly, the band starts to pull away from the fantasy motif of the previous albums. Rainbow finally hit the radio airwaves (and MTV!) with All Night Long and Since You Been Gone, but Eyes of the World and Lost In Hollywood are the real gems on this album. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: All Night Long, Eyes of the World, Lost In Hollywood

Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978) - 84.44
Rock anthems, speed metal, fantasy themes, ballads... this album has it all. Unfortunately, the lengthy mediocre ballad Rainbow Eyes had a rather large impact on the rating. Were it just a little better, the album rating would have been almost five points higher. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, Gates of Babylon, Kill the King

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975) - 84.01
The first Rainbow album is a mix of great and not-so-great songs, but standout tracks Man on the Silver Mountain and Sixteenth Century Greensleeves hint at future excellence. Plus, there's a cool instrumental cover of The Yardbird's Still I'm Sad. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Man on the Silver Mountain, Sixteenth Century Greensleeves, Still I'm Sad

Difficult to Cure (1981) - 82.66
Joe Lynn Turner takes over vocal duties. The band, turning ever more commercial, continues producing radio- and MTV-friendly tunes. Mostly good stuff here, but ironically, the non-radio-friendly self-titled instrumental is the only standout track. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Difficult to Cure (Beethoven's Ninth)

Bent Out of Shape (1983) - 79.91
Their most radio-friendly album was also their weakest. This is not a condemnation of the album; after all, it still received an 80 rating (if you round up). It's just that there are no "holy shit" moments. On the other hand, there are no "vomit-a-little-in-your-mouth" moments either. There is something to be said for consistency, even if only reaches the level of very good. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: none

Deep Purple discography

For my first discography ratings, I have to list my favorite band, Deep Purple. But as you'll see, I'm definitely critical of some of their releases.

Deep Purple In Rock (1970) - 98.14

The first studio album to feature Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, recorded after Jon Lord's project Concerto with Group and Orchestra. Ritchie Blackmore pushed for a change in direction, reminding everyone throughout the recording that "if it's not dramatic or exciting, it has no place on this album." The result was a hard rock masterpiece that remained on the charts for over a year. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Speed King, Child In Time, Flight of the Rat, Hard Lovin' Man

Machine Head (1972) - 95.70

Although In Rock was a masterpiece, Machine Head received all the attention and accolades. The songs are more accessible and radio friendly, but not any less dramatic or exciting as those on In Rock. Smoke On the Water will always be the band's signature song, which is both a blessing and a curse. While its simple riff is impossible to ignore and has spawned generations of would-be guitar heroes, it has also overshadowed some of the better songs on the album. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Highway Star, Smoke On the Water, Pictures of Home, Space Truckin'

Fireball (1971) - 90.71 (US version); 88.70 (UK version)
A minor disappointment following In Rock. Constant touring conflicted with studio and writing time, but overall it's a very good album with some excellent songs. The difference in ratings is reflected in my thoughts on Strange Kind of Woman (on the US version) versus Demon's Eye (on the UK version). Note: the 25th anniversary release includes tracks that should have made it onto the original album. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Fireball, No One Came

Perfect Strangers (1984) - 88.51

After 11 years, Deep Purple Mark II (Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord, Paice) had reunited. I remember holding the new album in my hands, anxious to hear the new songs. From the opening notes of Knocking at Your Back Door, it was clear that this album would enhance their legacy. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Knocking at Your Back Door, Perfect Strangers

Who Do We Think We Are (1973) - 86.88

Internal conflicts were tearing the band apart. There are some quality tracks, but the strain of working together was evident (especially in the song Smooth Dancer -- check out the lyrics). Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Woman from Tokyo, Rat Bat Blue

Burn (1974) - 84.57

Exit Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. Enter David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes. The two new members changed the dynamic of the band, but opening track Burn proved to even the most skeptical fan that the band wasn't done rocking yet. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Burn, Sail Away, You Fool No One

Slaves and Masters (1990) - 82.23

This surprised me, being rated so high. With Joe Lynn Turner on vocals it sometimes sounds like Rainbow, but it does contain some excellent tracks. It would be rated even higher if not for its one crap song. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: King of Dreams, The Cut Runs Deep

Crap track: Love Conquers All

The House of Blue Light (1987) - 80.39

The internal struggles between Blackmore and Gillan begin to resurface, but the album is still pretty good overall. If you buy the album, make sure you buy the original as the remastered version edited some tracks. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: The Spanish Archer, Strangeways

Purpendicular (1996) - 79.58

Talk about a new dynamic. Steve Morse replaces Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, completely changing the signature guitar sound of the band. But this initial effort is actually very good, mixing new sounds with some nods to early 70s Purple. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Soon Forgotten

The Battle Rages On (1993) - 75.66

The title could easily refer to Blackmore vs. Gillan. The conflict was at an all-time high, and while most of the songs are mediocre, a few really stand out. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: The Battle Rages On, Anya

Shades of Deep Purple (1968) - 74.72

The first album. Pre-Gillan and Glover, it was more pop/psychedelic oriented, which overshadowed the standout tracks. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite tracks: And the Address, Hush, Mandrake Root

Crap track: Help (a Beatles cover... it's not the song that's bad, but the interpretation)

The Book Of Taliesyn (1968) - 73.80

The second album, with a bit less pop and a bit more psychedelia. Pretty good, if you're into 60s psychedelic music. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: Kentucky Woman

Deep Purple (1969) - 73.79

Some experimentation into hard rock possibly foreshadowed what was to come on the next LP, In Rock. It contains some excellent songs, but also a crap track and a rather lengthy, mostly boring number that really bring down the rating. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite tracks: Chasing Shadows, Fault Line/The Painter, Bird has Flown

Crap track: Lalena

Bananas (2003) - 73.09

The third album featuring Steve Morse contained some decent songs with one standout track. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: Sun Goes Down

Come Taste the Band (1975) - 68.21

The only album to feature Tommy Bolin (RIP) on guitar. The sound is not what you would expect from Deep Purple, but it does contain a few very good hard rock songs. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: This Time Around - Owed to G

Rapture of the Deep (2006) - 61.98

A Morse era album. There's nothing terrible about it, but there's nothing really good either. Yawn. Recommendation: For completists only.

Favorite tracks: none

Abandon (1998) - 60.93

Do you hear that sound? It's the fans, abandoning ship. Recommendation: For completists only.

Favorite tracks: none

Stormbringer (1974) - 53.44

Blackmore's influence over the band was greatly diminished due to personal issues, allowing Glenn Hughes' soul influences to surface. That's great if you like rock with soul, but terrible if you like Deep Purple (although the title track did kick some serious ass). Recommendation: For completists only.

Favorite track: Stormbringer