Purpendicular Songs Ranked
Purpendicular is the fifteenth studio album by the English rock band Deep Purple, released in 1996. It is their first album with guitarist Steve Morse from Dixie Dregs, who replaced Ritchie Blackmore. The album was recorded at Greg Rike Productions, Orlando, Florida from February to October 1995 and engineered by Darren Schneider and Keith Andrews. It had a more experimental approach than previous albums. The arrangement to “The Aviator”, employed an acoustic folk/country arrangement that had not been heard on the band’s previous work since “Anyone’s Daughter” from Fireball. Several of the songs such as “Vavoom: Ted the Mechanic” featured less keyboard, focusing on guitar. Morse introduced pinch harmonics to the band’s sound, such as on “Vavoom: Ted the Mechanic” and “Somebody Stole My Guitar”. “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming” and “Vavoom: Ted the Mechanic” remained regular features in Deep Purple’s live setlist in recent tours. Like the title of the band’s following album, Abandon, Purpendicular is a pun; in this case, based on the band’s name and the word “Perpendicular”. Here are all of the Purpendicular songs ranked.
Don’t miss out on the TIMELESS Deep Purple music below! Click to experience the PIONEERS of Hard Rock!
11. Soon Forgotten
“Soon Forgotten,” is one of the oddest, most disturbing songs I’ve heard in a while. It’s not the lyrical content that does it (it hardly ever is with Purple!), but it’s the odd syncopation of the guitar and keyboard and Gillan’s strange intonation as he sings. I hear a touch of Black Sabbath here.”
10. Rosa’s Cantina
“Rosa’s Cantina’s” – another highlight – is a thundering bluesy shuffle feature Gillan blowing some smokin’ harmonica. Deep Purple you can dance to? Sure, why not!? It’s down and dirty and just waiting for you to join in.”
9. Loosen My Strings
“The experienced Steve Morse reinvents the Purple sound with Loosen my Strings where the six minutes of the song are adorned by aggressive tones, discreet scales that push Gillan’s battered voice and get Glover to stop doing some tricks that made his job easier.”
See more: Deep Purple Albums Ranked
8. Hey Cisco
“Hey Cisco” was a track that went in a different direction, as it got a little jazzy in places. This is a really very well done album of Deep Purple, all the tracks shine, and sometimes even have a jazzy feel in them.”
7. Don’t Hold Your Breath
“Finally, there is a hidden track at the end of the CD… so let it play out. It’s called (I think), “Don’t Hold Your Breath,” and ironically is one of the best tunes on the record. It’s a fun, rockin’ rave-up with a great catchy chorus that would have no trouble finding radio airtime as long as it was during an era when the airwaves weren’t being marketed toward 8-year old girls and 14-year old boys. (I bet it would sound awesome live, as well.)”
6. A Castle Full of Rascals
“Deep Purple’s lead vocalists (all three) have never been noted for their lyric-writing ability, but Gillan takes it up a notch on several outings here, most notably “A Castle Full of Rascals,” a scathing attack on politicians, corporate execs and other fat cats. Nice to see the boys write about something else other than hookers and fast cars, eh?”
5. The Purpendicular Waltz
“The greatest rock and roll band in music history, Deep Purple, is back. Perpendicular is far better than their last two recordings. Steve Morse is no Ritchie Blackmore but he is better at this style of music then Tommy Bolin ever was.”
See more: Deep Purple Songs Ranked
4. Cascades: I’m Not Your Lover
“Morse was a different type of guitarist than Blackmore. He was not as flashy but was just as technically adept. He had a more fluid style and was a more straight-forward rock guitarist who did not incorporate as many styles as his predecessor. He fit into the band’s line-up surprisingly well and it did not miss a beat in the studio or on the road.”
3. Somebody Stole My Guitar
“The album was only a moderate commercial success and signaled a transition from the band relying on album sales to fuel its popularity. Now it was the band’s constant worldwide touring that enabled it to remain one of the premier concert attractions in the world.”
2. Vavoom: Ted the Mechanic
“The CD kicks off with the catchy and amusing “Ted the Mechanic” – a crunchy, rollicking song that owes a nod to some of the hair band metal from the ’80s.”
1. Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming
“One personal favorite track from “Purpendicular” is the shimmering “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming.” It opens with some beautiful acoustic guitar picking (and yeah, when was the last time you heard an acoustic guitar on a Deep Purple song? Huh? Huh? I thought so! This is yet another dimension Morse brings to the band!) Ian Gillan’s restrained, lilting vocal passage soon gives way to a head-on crash chorus that is highlighted by a gorgeous Steve Morse guitar signature that gets repeated throughout the song. Though I can’t even imagine Blackmore coming up with something like this, the song remains undeniably Deep Purple.”