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Whoosh — first impressions
Deep Purple’s new album Whoosh was supposed to come out on June 12 this year. But then the coronavirus struck and record company pushed release date back to August 7. Apparently not everybody got the memo, and on June 12 the album went on sale through at least one online retailer (and was soon removed). Our contributor Hein Bierman managed to purchase a download copy and offers us his thoughts on the album.
A popular HD-audio site had Whoosh available for a short while on June 12th: they probably missed the mail about the changed release date. I bought a copy (24 bit) and played it several times over the last days. I didn’t get a booklet with my download, so there’s probably a few details about Nashvillian banjo players guesting on track #14 I have missed.
Here are my first impressions:
It’s a very strong album. The songwriting is of a high level. I think as time wears on, What the What is the song that probably gets skipped first, but that is only because there’s a bunch of really great songs here and time is limited.
Lyrically, it’s a bold, outspoken (political?) album. The boldness is not so much in addressing controversial topics, but in the prominent use of the first-person perspective. IG tells it like he sees it, and he doesn’t hold back.
Production wise, it’s more compact and less trebly than Infinite and the drums sound a little less prominent than on previous albums. Both Now What!? and Infinite gave you the feeling they were semi-live albums, recorded more or less in one session, but Whoosh feels more produced. Compared to the previous Ezrin albums, there’s a lot more sonic variety between the songs. The semi-live aspect is less prominent; for example, there are a surprising amount of background vocals on the album.
What I miss: an opportunity to get out the air guitar. I really love Birds of Prey of Infinite, and there’s no song like that on Whoosh.
IG: The star of this album. Sings like he’s afraid of no one, with a lot of bravado. The best reference for his singing style on Whoosh is Infinite’s All I got is You.
SM: Less flashy and more melodic than on other albums. Over the last 20 years his guitar sound has evolved a lot. I don’t miss the Peaveys.
RG: The variety of songs of on this album makes you realize how versatile RG is as a bass player. He plays rock ‘n roll, heavy and funk effortless and tight.
DA: Uses every opportunity to shine on this album, especially on synthesizers and piano. I could do with a bit more organ.
IP: There’s no drum-focused song on this album like Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye, but IP impresses on every track. Love that ride cymbal and the kick drum. Superb.
- Throw My Bones (3’38”): We all know this track as it is the first single of the album. It’s a very good introduction to the general style of Whoosh.
- Drop the Weapon (4’23”): great interaction between DA, IP and RG. They get a nice choppy groove going. IG has plenty of swagger: “little brother, I’m telling you now, your pride can take a hit.” One of the more organ-oriented tracks on the album.
- We’re All the Same in the Dark (3’44”): The riff is not really special, but as soon as IG starts singing the song gets a huge boost. Unusual guitar sound / style in the solo. The way SM bends the notes is unlike anything he’s ever done in DP. There are more background vocals in this song that on the previous five DP albums combined.
- Nothing at All (4’42”): This song’s a bit widdly widdly. I like it, but stylistically it would fit better on Rapture of the Deep than it does on this album.
- No Need to Shout (3’30”): After the intro reminiscent of Perfect Strangers, the song reminds me of Stormbringer. You hear Gillan revisiting his rock ‘n roll roots. “I got your message loud and clear. The meaninglessness is ringing in my ear. What a bunch of trash you’ve got exuding from your ass, that’s not the shit I want to hear. No need to shout, I’m hearing what you say.”
- Step by Step (3’34”): Vincent Price meets Purpendicular Waltz. Very good but also very gothic: DA a bit too eager to show his Transsylvanian credentials.
- What the What (3’32”): Nostalgic piano driven rock ‘n roll in the vein of Purple People Eater / It’ll Be Me. A bit forgettable, but every kick on that bass drum is right on the spot.
- The Long Way Round (5’39”): tight groove, instrumentally very strong. Can see this working very well live.
- The Power of the Moon (4’08”): the amount of vocal effects, combined with the prominent synths give it a retro flavor. Great bass! SM manages to get a very dark, Tony Iommi-like sound and add a groove to it.
- Remission Possible (1’38”): a short instrumental that sounds like four people having a great time in the studio while the fifth band member is checking if he’s left his wallet in the car, cleverly disguising that in all probability it’s very hard work to play something like this. Fades into:
- Man Alive (5’35”): when I heard this first as a single, I was disappointed. But it fits well in the flow of the album.
- And the Address (3’35”): the most live sounding song on the album. Doesn’t add a lot to the original, but it’s a great tune to revive.
- Dancing in My Sleep (3’51”): IG is 74, but this is a song where he sounds full of energy, like he drank a tray of Red Bull. This song is heavy, but it’s also funky. Great bass lines.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
i missed it :_( nowhere to find:(
June 18th, 2020 at 19:51I’m getting extreme hungry.
June 18th, 2020 at 20:31It’s a long wait till August.
But still…enjoying the Ian Paice movies.
I’m looking forward to album 21.
June 18th, 2020 at 22:11Damn!… you’ve just got me sloppy drunk & wet with the details & then hard as a rock with excitement, anticipation & expectations. She’s gettin’ ready to explode!!! 🌋
June 18th, 2020 at 23:13😍💜👍✌ Serenity now….
I have some doubt’s on this one………Hope i’m wrong😷
June 19th, 2020 at 12:19Whoosh is a slow grower, mark my word.. but get’s better all the time.
June 19th, 2020 at 14:40Thanks for your thoughts,Hein.Congrats on the early copy.
June 19th, 2020 at 15:01Sounds as if Don is getting further away from the Hammond & Steve’s guitar has been held back.The evidence of this is the synths and the bare bones guitar riff on Throw My Bones.
I hope And The Address isn’t the only nod to the classic Purple sound on the album.
I cannot wait any longer, man…
June 19th, 2020 at 19:30Thanks for the review. Looking forward to getting it.
June 20th, 2020 at 02:26Judging by the spirit of this review it is not going to be that great….
June 20th, 2020 at 06:45I tell what guys please don’t take notice or read any reviews. My plan is just to block all the reviews and buy the CD and listen to it with an open mind and ears. The problem is I am going to buy the CD anyway whether its good or bad reviews so it won’t make any difference to me.
June 20th, 2020 at 21:36How many days and nights left before the release I just can’t wait anymore.
# 11 Adel-I’m curious as to what anyone who has heard the album thinks so.I’m thankful for these 1st impressions and any other early reviews.I pre-ordered Whoosh as soon as I could,but I definitely don’t feel that “I just can’t wait anymore” anticipation.
June 21st, 2020 at 16:35There’s a 30 second snippet of Power Of The Moon on YT.Just a coupla lines from a verse.
June 22nd, 2020 at 14:03We get a sense of melody,the bass line,keyboards and vocals,but no trace of guitar. Another decidedly mid-tempo track.
Me gustaria oir the power of the moon q salio en varios paises pero aqui no alguno de ustedes lo tiene para pasar?
June 23rd, 2020 at 18:57Is it possible to hear the power of the moon that Argentina did not arrive?
June 23rd, 2020 at 18:58Woaow!, eager to have it.
I’m sizeng the long waiting days listenning to the huge bible purple, WS, Rainbow and Gillan. Now with Ian Gillan: the former ones – Clear air Turbulence, Scarabus – (Gillan/Towns/Fenwick’s, by large the best ones) and the last ones before the reunion, specialy the ones with Gers, are all great.
The older I get the more I love everything about the giant purple family.
This last one’s gonna be another piece of infinite and eternal miracle.
I could prelisten to The Power of the Moon in an hour, if I were to spend 24 €, but I think I’ll pass. I’ll enjoy the waiting, It’s a part of the game. We are to wait, it’ll be worthwhile.
Thank you guys!
June 26th, 2020 at 14:32obviously i will have my own impressions when i finally get to hear the whole thing but, it sounds like THIS IS DP 2020….if you’re hoping for Machine Head, Perfect Strangers or even Perpendicular you’re gonna be disappointed, my musical taste have evolved now that I’m in my 60’s I just want to be entertained and DP has rarely disappointed! I am looking forward to it very much
June 28th, 2020 at 11:44I got the new record. The power of the moon is a strange song, from DP anyway. I am doubleminded after a few listens. Poppish or atmospheric? In any case, several chord sequences recycle vincent price. Catchy and complex at the same time. One has to be open to get closer to it. This is not the speed king/gypsy’s kiss genre to put it mildly. But it is not supposed to be at the age of 75, n’est-ce pas?
June 29th, 2020 at 17:37After listening to the record, I can’t agree with about 90% of your assessment/review. This one is a disappointment along the lines of “Abandon” … “Infinite” is far superior.
July 1st, 2020 at 20:09Nothing At All due out on 10th July – Apple Music, Spotify and deezer.
July 4th, 2020 at 18:21https://deeppurple.lnk.to/NothingAtAll
https://www.facebook.com/officialdeeppurple/videos/728104754655994
Listen in at around the 27th minute.
The world may just turn around with you.
https://youtu.be/vyPCoPjDpWg
July 6th, 2020 at 17:20