Top Ten - 1979

Classic rock bands dominated the 67 albums I rated from 1979. But if you look closely, you'll find some New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands not only enter the list, but start off strong right from the beginning.



Top Ten - 1979
92.75 -- Scorpions - Lovedrive
88.62 -- Gamma - Gamma 1
87.72 -- Motörhead - Overkill
87.28 -- Van Halen - Van Halen II
86.50 -- Gillan - Mr. Universe
86.31 -- Triumph - Just A Game
86.00 -- Rainbow - Down to Earth
84.95 -- Blackfoot - Strikes
83.88 -- Quartz - Deleted
83.70 -- Poobah - Steamroller

Other 1979 releases:
83.64 -- Mythra - Death and Destiny
82.98 -- New England - New England
82.80 -- Bad Company - Desolation Angels
82.41 -- Molly Hatchet - Flirtin' with Disaster
82.26 -- ZZ Top - Degüello
82.25 -- Cozy Powell - Over the Top
82.18 -- Aerosmith - Night in the Ruts
82.13 -- AC/DC - Highway to Hell
81.97 -- Cheap Trick - Dream Police
81.04 -- Thin Lizzy - Black Rose: A Rock Legend
80.57 -- Led Zeppelin - In Through the Out Door
79.92 -- Legend - From the Fjords
79.60 -- Accept - Accept
79.45 -- Riot - Narita
79.38 -- Mariner - One
79.26 -- Judas Priest - Hell Bent for Leather
79.07 -- Legs Diamond - Fire Power
77.81 -- Face Dancer - This World
77.28 -- Saxon - Saxon
77.25 -- Jethro Tull - Stormwatch
76.87 -- Motörhead - Bomber
76.60 -- April Wine - Harder ... Faster
75.77 -- Hawkwind - PXR5
75.61 -- Foghat - Boogie Motel
75.32 -- Styx - Cornerstone
75.23 -- Ted Nugent - State of Shock
74.10 -- Whitesnake - Lovehunter
73.99 -- R.E.O. Speedwagon - Nine Lives
71.06 -- Foreigner - Head Games
70.54 -- Winterhawk - Electric Warriors
70.23 -- Pat Travers Band - Heat In the Street
69.93 -- Axe - Axe
68.89 -- Kiss - Dynasty
67.52 -- Golden Earring - No Promises...No Debts
66.62 -- Shooting Star - Shooting Star
66.21 -- Sweet - Cut Above the Rest
65.30 -- Blue Öyster Cult - Mirrors
64.74 -- Pink Floyd - The Wall
61.18 -- Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Angel Station
60.76 -- Quiet Riot - Quiet Riot II
55.73 -- Pepper Porter Band - Invasion
43.71 -- Truth And Janey - Just A Little Bit Of Magic
41.67 -- The Godz - Nothing Is Sacred
37.35 -- Max Webster - A Million Vacations
69.54 -- Hawkwind - Choose Your Masques
69.23 -- Budgie - Deliver Us from Evil
68.51 -- Golden Earring - Cut
65.33 -- Krokus - One Vice At A Time
65.00 -- Twisted Sister - Under the Blade
64.06 -- Tygers of Pan Tang - Crazy Nights
62.80 -- Hawkwind - Church Of Hawkwind
62.50 -- Van Halen - Diver Down
61.10 -- Venom - Black Metal
59.50 -- Pete Townshend - All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
55.66 -- Alice Cooper - Zipper Catches Skin
52.96 -- Foghat - In the Mood for Something Rude
50.14 -- Queen - Hot Space

Top Ten (+15) - The 1980s

The top ten lists from the 1980s included 243 bands and 595 albums. Now that I'm at the end, I know you've all been waiting for this, so without further ado, here are my top 25* albums from that decade. It's a pretty damn impressive list, with every album topping a 90 rating (without rounding up).

*Yes, there are indeed 26 albums listed here; there was a tie for 25th place.

Three bands -- Gillan, Iron Maiden, and Queensrÿche -- show up more than once. I was surprised that some of my favorite bands, including the Scorpions, Savatage, Black Sabbath, Metal Church, MSG and others only have one album listed here. But I wasn't surprised that 24 of the 26 albums were from 1980 - 1984. That was a special time in rock and metal history, and the strength of diversity of the music was evident.



Top 25 Albums:
96.37 -- Queensrÿche - Queensrÿche (EP) (1983)
94.86 -- Iron Maiden - Powerslave (1984)
93.73 -- Black Sabbath - Born Again (1983)
93.02 -- Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
91.90 -- Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind (1983)
91.79 -- Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack (1982)
91.78 -- Krokus - Headhunter (1983)
91.76 -- Metal Church - Blessing In Disguise (1989)
91.64 -- Savatage - The Dungeons are Calling (1984)
91.46 -- Fastway - Fastway (1983)
91.40 -- Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast (1982)
91.22 -- Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry (1984)
91.11 -- Gillan - Glory Road (1980)
90.86 -- Metallica - Ride the Lightning (1984)
90.73 -- Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2 (1988)
90.64 -- Gillan - Future Shock (1981)
90.57 -- Gillan - Double Trouble (1981)
90.54 -- Scorpions - Love at First Sting (1984)
90.51 -- Anvil - Metal On Metal (1982)
90.48 -- Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations (1981)
90.45 -- Saxon - Power and the Glory (1983)
90.36 -- Riot - Restless Breed (1982)
90.33 -- Kix - Kix (1981)
90.27 -- More - Blood & Thunder (1982)
90.22 -- Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman (1981)
90.22 -- Def Leppard - On Through the Night (1980)
89.96 -- Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell (1980)

Top Ten - 1980

1980 was an important year in rock and metal. Looking through the 60 albums below, you'll find many bands' first albums, including Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, MSG, and others. Also notable is Ian Gillan's two-year stint not just in the top spot, but at #1 here, and #1 and #2 the following year.



Top Ten - 1980
91.11 -- Gillan - Glory Road
90.22 -- Def Leppard - On Through the Night
89.96 -- Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell
89.62 -- Manilla Road - Invasion
89.07 -- Warrior - Let Battle Commence
88.74 -- Saxon - Strong Arm of the Law
87.83 -- Tygers of Pan Tang - Wild Cat
86.21 -- Robin Trower - Victims of the Fury
86.04 -- Krokus - Metal Rendez-vous
85.23 -- AC/DC - Back In Black

Other 1980 releases:
85.05 -- Budgie - Power Supply
84.83 -- Michael Schenker Group - The Michael Schenker Group
84.55 -- Quartz - Stand Up and Fight
84.47 -- Samson - Head On
84.38 -- Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard of Ozz
84.25 -- Ted Nugent - Scream Dream
84.21 -- Triumph - Progressions of Power
83.48 -- Motörhead - Ace of Spades
82.95 -- The Rods - Rock Hard
82.84 -- Killer - Ready for Hell
82.23 -- White Spirit - White Spirit
82.23 -- Chevy - The Taker
82.17 -- Samson - Survivors
81.84 -- Fist - Turn the Hell On
81.53 -- Saxon - Wheels of Steel
81.02 -- Molly Hatchet - Beatin' the Odds
80.60 -- Rush - Permanent Waves
80.57 -- Gamma - Gamma 2
80.50 -- Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden
80.14 -- Girlschool - Demolition
80.04 -- Angel Witch - Angel Witch
79.93 -- Scorpions - Animal Magnetism
78.82 -- Queen - The Game
78.49 -- Judas Priest - British Steel
75.42 -- Atomic Rooster - Atomic Rooster
75.36 -- Thin Lizzy - Chinatown
74.94 -- Whitesnake - Ready an' Willing
74.62 -- Van Halen - Women and Children First
74.57 -- UFO - No Place to Run
73.52 -- Max Webster - Universal Juveniles
72.74 -- 707 - 707
72.46 -- Heart - Bebe le Strange
72.27 -- Witchfynde - Stagefright
72.05 -- Blackfoot - Tomcattin'
71.58 -- Uriah Heep - Conquest
71.39 -- Crack the Sky - White Music
71.05 -- Hawkwind - Levitation
70.68 -- Pete Townshend - Empty Glass
70.58 -- Blue Öyster Cult - Cultosaurus Erectus
70.09 -- Winterhawk - Dog Soldier
68.79 -- Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Chance
68.04 -- Pat Travers Band - Crash and Burn
65.44 -- Foghat - Tight Shoes
65.15 -- Bow Wow - Glorious Road
61.53 -- Sweet - Waters Edge
60.17 -- Jethro Tull - A
59.17 -- Alice Cooper - Flush the Fashion
58.93 -- Queen - Flash Gordon
51.41 -- Touch - Touch
46.24 -- Kiss - Unmasked
62.80 -- Hawkwind - Church Of Hawkwind
62.50 -- Van Halen - Diver Down
61.10 -- Venom - Black Metal
59.50 -- Pete Townshend - All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
55.66 -- Alice Cooper - Zipper Catches Skin
52.96 -- Foghat - In the Mood for Something Rude
50.14 -- Queen - Hot Space

Top Ten - 1981

After his initial foray into jazz rock, Ian Gillan renamed his band to Gillan and returned to a hard rock sound. 1981 was a high point as he took the top two spots with the excellent Future Shock and Double Trouble albums. NWOBHM bands also started coming on strong, placing four bands placed in the top ten. I rated 67 albums from that year.



Top Ten - 1981
90.64 -- Gillan - Future Shock
90.57 -- Gillan - Double Trouble
90.48 -- Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations
90.33 -- Kix - Kix
90.22 -- Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman
89.60 -- Killer - Wall of Sound
88.46 -- More - Warhead
88.37 -- Gaskin - End of the World
86.00 -- Riot - Fire Down Under
85.84 -- Y&T - Earthshaker

Other 1981 releases:
85.32 -- Anvil - Hard'n'Heavy
85.30 -- Triumph - Allied Forces
85.28 -- Holocaust - The Nightcomers
84.66 -- Iron Maiden - Killers
84.23 -- April Wine - The Nature of the Beast
83.54 -- Tygers of Pan Tang - Spellbound
83.37 -- Rush - Moving Pictures
82.66 -- Rainbow - Difficult to Cure
82.62 -- Danny Joe Brown - Danny Joe Brown and the Danny Joe Brown Band
82.42 -- Robin Trower - B.L.T.
82.18 -- The Rods - The Rods
81.75 -- Mötley Crüe - Too Fast for Love
81.74 -- Peter Frampton - Breaking All the Rules
81.56 -- Saxon - Denim and Leather
81.31 -- Fist - Back with A Vengeance
80.60 -- Grand Funk - Grand Funk Lives!
80.52 -- Demon - Night of the Demon
80.43 -- Warning - Warning
80.29 -- Michael Schenker Group - MSG
80.05 -- Krokus - Hardware
79.25 -- Budgie - Nightflight
79.15 -- Lucifer's Friend - Mean Machine
79.05 -- Blackfoot - Marauder
78.59 -- Def Leppard - High 'n' Dry
78.30 -- Billy Squier - Don't Say No
77.95 -- Vardis - The World's Insane
77.89 -- Raven - Rock Until You Drop
77.63 -- Cirith Ungol - Frost and Fire
77.34 -- Venom - Welcome to Hell
77.12 -- UFO - The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent
77.09 -- Heavy Load - Metal Conquest
76.27 -- Molly Hatchet - Take No Prisoners
76.17 -- Neil Young - Re-ac-tor
76.17 -- Styx - Paradise Theater
75.47 -- Manilla Road - Mark of the Beast
75.34 -- Whitesnake - Come an' Get It
74.60 -- Pat Travers Band - Radio Active
74.34 -- Hawkwind - Sonic Attack
74.25 -- Graham Bonnet - Line Up
73.97 -- The Who - Face Dances
72.14 -- Praying Mantis - Time Tells No Lies
71.88 -- Samson - Shock Tactics
71.58 -- Blue Öyster Cult - Fire of Unknown Origin
71.30 -- Black Sabbath - Mob Rules
71.02 -- Van Halen - Fair Warning
69.74 -- ZZ Top - El Loco
69.53 -- Accept - Breaker
69.20 -- Judas Priest - Point of Entry
68.02 -- Cozy Powell - Tilt
67.29 -- Thin Lizzy - Renegade
65.20 -- Kiss - Music from "The Elder"
64.64 -- Foghat - Girls to Chat & Boys to Bounce
64.58 -- Moody Blues - Long Distance Voyager
64.20 -- Foreigner - 4
63.81 -- Bow Wow - Hard Dog
62.40 -- AC/DC - For Those About to Rock
56.07 -- Alice Cooper - Special Forces

To Cry You A Song - Colors

A goofy list to be sure, but what the hell. What makes this work (for me, at least) is that every song is rated 4 or higher*. And even better, three songs (Rat Bat Blue, Running, White Face, City Boy and Golden Country) are Desert Island songs.

There's a little more thought to song order here. I start with black and white, then list the colors of the rainbow (ROYGBIV, with a substitution of purple for indigo), then other colors, and finally the metallic colors.

*That is, every song except Why Is a Carrot More Orange than an Orange. But it was the only one I had that used the word "orange" in the title, so I didn't have much choice.

The disc isn't completely full, running "only" 62:15, but this is somewhat intentional because I didn't want to repeat any colors. If you know of any other "color" songs that I missed (tan, for example), let me know and maybe I'll add them here.

Color Tracks:
1. AC/DC - Back in Black (4:15)
2. Gillan - Running, White Face, City Boy (3:13)
3. Great White - Lady Red Light (4:54)
4. Amboy Dukes - Why Is a Carrot More Orange than an Orange (2:25)
5. Scorpions - Yellow Butterfly (5:44)
6. Judas Priest - Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown) (3:21)
7. Deep Purple - Rat Bat Blue (5:23)
8. Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze (2:50)
9. Blackmore's Night - Under a Violet Moon (4:23)
10. Aerosmith - Pink (3:55)
11. Testament - As the Seasons Grey (6:16)
12. Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar (3:49)
13. April Wine - Silver Dollar (5:14)
14. R.E.O. Speedwagon - Golden Country (6:33)
Disc length - 62:15

Albums:
AC/DC - Back In Black (1980)
Gillan - Glory Road (1980)
Great White - Once Bitten… (1987)
Amboy Dukes - Journey to the Center of the Mind (1968)
Scorpions - Eye II Eye (1999)
Judas Priest - Hell Bent for Leather (1979)
Deep Purple - Who Do We Think We Are (1973)
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced? (U.S.) (1967)
Blackmore's Night - Under a Violet Moon (1999)
Aerosmith - Nine Lives (1997)
Testament - The Ritual (1992)
Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers (1971)
April Wine - First Glance (1978)
R.E.O. Speedwagon - T.W.O. (1972)

Black Sabbath discography

Like most bands that have been around a while, their albums range in quality. But even the worst Black Sabbath albums have merit, and if you're a fan, there's no doubt that you should own them all.

Born Again (1983) - 93.73

Ian Gillan's only album as vocalist is... wait... What? Ian Gillan? From Deep Purple? Although this sounds like an odd pairing (in fact, the deal was sealed after everyone had a bit too much to drink one night), if you ignore the atrocious cover and not-so-good production and focus instead on the sinister guitar riffs and solos, the godly metal shrieks, and the face-bashing rhythm section, you'll find Black Sabbath at their head-banging best! Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Trashed, Zero the Hero, Digital Bitch

Paranoid (1970) - 91.47

Paranoid. War Pigs. Iron Man. Electric Funeral. Fairies Wear Boots. The second album is still a metal classic almost 40 years after it was released. 'Nuff said! Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Paranoid, War Pigs, Iron Man

Tyr (1990) - 90.85

Criminally underrated. There's not a bad song to be found here. It's easily the best Black Sabbath album recorded in the past 20 years. Tony Martin's vocals won't remind you of Ozzy or Dio, but he more than holds his own on this excellent album. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Anno Mundi, The Sabbath Stones, Valhalla

Master of Reality (1971) - 90.52
The third album is a "master" piece of early metal. The only weak spot is Orchid, but because it's only a minute and a half long, I can't hold that against the album. By the way, did you know that the coughing at the beginning of Sweet Leaf is Tony Iommi after he took a drag on a joint? Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Sweet Leaf, Children of the Grave

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973) - 90.18

The rating here is actually misleading as just one song, Fluff, caused it to be much lower than it could have been. A higher song rating would have made this album no worse than my second favorite, and quite possibly my favorite. Every other song is very good to excellent. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabbra Cadabra, Killing Yourself to Live

Heaven and Hell (1980) - 89.96

Exit Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward, enter Ronnie James Dio and Vinnie Appice. Dio and Appice brought new blood to a stagnant band and helped them record their best album since Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Not a bad song to be found on this excellent album. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Neon Knights, Lady Evil, Heaven & Hell

Sabotage (1975) - 89.92

An excellent follow-up to Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. A consistently great album with standout track Symptom of the Universe. Look for the 23-second track Blow On A Jug tacked on to the end of The Writ, which features Ozzy and Bill Ward messing around in the studio. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Symptom of the Universe

Headless Cross (1989) - 88.33

Another Tony Martin album, and again he delivers. A solid album with no weak tracks, save the intro song Gates of Hell. Listen for the Brian May guitar solo on When Death Calls. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Headless Cross, When Death Calls

Black Sabbath (1970) - 88.31 (US version); 88.25 (UK version)

Black Sabbath began as a heavy blues-rock band called Earth, but soon renamed themselves after the title of a 1963 Italian horror film. The difference in the two ratings is due to the inclusion of a different track on the US album versus the UK album (Wicked World instead of Evil Woman). Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: The Wizard

Vol. 4 (1972) - 84.25

Another solid release. The slightly lower score is the result of a few weak tracks that keep this album from being on par with those released before and after. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Supernaut

Eternal Idol (1987) - 83.24

The band line-up and recording of this album is a bit of a jumbled mess. There were quite a few personnel changes during the recording of this album, including vocals, which featured Ray Gillen on the original demos. But Gillen left the band before the album was finished, and they brought in Tony Martin (who they wanted previously but was unavailable) to re-record the vocals. The result is a pretty solid album overall. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: The Shining

The Devil You Know (2009) - 81.17

Tired of waiting for Ozzy to record with the band, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler reunited with ex-bandmates Ronnie James Dio and Vinnie Appice to record this album. Yeah, technically they're now called Heaven and Hell, but that's just a (legal) formality. It's still a Black Sabbath album, and a pretty good one at that. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite Song: Fear

Seventh Star (1986) - 79.87

This was originally recorded as a Tony Iommi solo album, but the record company pressured him into calling it a Black Sabbath album. Glenn Hughes sang on the album, but was fired early on the tour and was replaced by Ray Gillen. Although it was never released on CD in the U.S., it's decent enough to spend the extra money on. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: In for the Kill

Dehumanizer (1992) - 78.92

I'll be honest... I had pretty much forgotten about this album prior to the Heaven and Hell reunion tour. But during the concert, they played the song "I," and I was blown away. I didn't remember the song being that good. I was wrong. The album's not bad, but the song kicks ass. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite Tracks: I, TV Crimes

Cross Purposes (1994) - 74.14

Tony Martin returns, but this time the results aren't as impressive. A few above average songs are balanced by a few below-average songs, resulting in a pretty average album. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite tracks: none

Mob Rules (1981) - 71.30

The second album featuring Dio on vocals. It has some strong tracks, but it's not nearly as good as Heaven and Hell. Cool cover painting by fantasy artist Greg Hildebrandt. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: The Mob Rules

Forbidden (1995) - 68.74

Tony Martin is again on vocals, but the magic of his previous albums is nowhere to be found on this release. Consistently weak, with only Shaking Off the Chains being a decent track. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite tracks: none

Technical Ecstasy (1976) - 67.59

The beginning of the end with Ozzy. Personal (i.e., drug) issues were causing problems within the band, and the results showed. A pretty weak effort overall. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: Dirty Women

Never Say Die (1978) - 65.39

The final Ozzy album. The problems were too much to ignore and a change was needed. Perhaps the album title and song were meant to inspire hope among the band and the fans, but even though the song rocked hard, it was too little, too late. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: Never Say Die

Crap Track: Break Out

(Thanks to the website www.black-sabbath.com for some of the trivia posted here.)

Rock Island - Chapter Eight

Early one morning, you decide to take a walk around the island. As the sun rises, you see what looks like a meteor heading directly for the island. You run to the edge of a cliff to look for it. Instead, you see a space capsule. An astronaut is rubbing sand from what looks like a bottle. When he opens it, smoke pours out and suddenly a beautiful girl is standing in front of him. You rub your eyes and pinch yourself, thinking you're still in bed dreaming. When you open your eyes again, the pair is flying off in a helicopter. Confused, you walk back to your hut.

You tell Roy about your story, and he is curious about it, but Ann Marie clearly thinks you were hallucinating. She tries to change the subject, but nothing works until she asks you about other songs on your MP3 player. You pick up where you left off:

• Deep Purple - Hush; Kentucky Woman; Bird has Flown; Child In Time; Flight of the Rat; Hard Lovin' Man; Fireball; No One Came; Highway Star; Pictures of Home; Smoke On the Water; Space Truckin'; Rat Bat Blue; Burn; Sail Away; Stormbringer; This Time Around - Owed to 'G'; Knocking at Your Back Door; Perfect Strangers; The Spanish Archer; Strangeways; Anya; Soon Forgotten; Sun Goes Down
• Doors - Break on Through (To the Other Side); Light My Fire; Strange Days; When the Music's Over; Not to Touch the Earth; Love Her Madly; L.A. Woman; L'America; Riders on the Storm; Ships w/Sails
• Dust - Love Me Hard; From a Dry Camel; Pull Away/So Many Times
• Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Barbarian
• Foghat - I Just Want to Make Love to You; Slow Ride
• Food Brain - That Will Do
• Foreigner - Long, Long Way From Home
• Fuzzy Duck - Mrs. Prout
• Gillan - Mr. Universe; Are You Sure?; Sleeping On the Job; On the Rocks; Running, White Face, City Boy; For Your Dreams; I'll Rip Your Spine Out; Driving Me Wild; Demon Driver
• Golden Earring - Radar Love; Kill Me (Ce Soir); Twilight Zone
• Grand Funk - Heartbreaker; Inside Looking Out; We're an American Band; Shinin' On; Bad Time; Dues; Out to Get You
• Granicus - Prayer
• Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Talking about music is a good distraction from the day's events, but it's time to stop, knowing that there are other songs for another day.

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