Perfect Strangers (Bonus Track Version)

I remember being slightly disappointed with this album when I first heard it back in 1984, thinking that it sounded more like the last Rainbow album than 70’s Deep Purple. I have since then developed a much better appreciation for this album. It is a classic album in it’s own right. Lot of classic songs on here, like Knocking At Your Back Door, Under The Gone (I love how Blackmore plays part of Pomp and Circumstance at the end of his solo), Nobody’s Home and A Gypsy’s Kiss. The biggest surprise is Not Responsible, a dangerous sounding song that was not included on the original vinyl version. Darn shame too, as it is actually my favorite song here. Son of Alerik, however, is my least favorite instrumental written by Ritchie Blackmore. It spends a lot of time saying very little and in a very boring way at that. Better off left off, I say!

In the days before instant information.... I rmember hearing a couple times on the radio, that Deep Purple were expected to have a new album.... I'm a big Black Sabbath fan and I had enjoyed Ian's adventure into that band the year before... although an odd detour for Sabbath, I still like the Born Again album. But I was super excited that a new Purple album was coming. I remember thinking I hoped they stuck to their sound and didnt go for the huge 80s pop metal sound that was raging at the time. I remember hearing Perfect Strangers on the radio for the first time (before the album was released)... and I remember feeling a great sigh of relief. It was awesome! It was modernized enough, sound quality wise, but still retained every bit of their overall sound. I thought it was and excellent album all the way around. I bought it on LP and then my sister bought the cassette for me (not knowing I already had the LP)... But that was alright. I took the cassette everywhere with me, and wore it out. Its still ranks as one of my top 3 or 4 Purple records. Great energy, great songwriting... Ian and Ritchie seemed to get along for that brief moment in time, during the recording. I've heard they all had a good time recording the record. Its a nice time capsule for me. Takes me back to a lot of memories of that time period. Those were the days... I was a teenager, I played in my own band... rock ruled the world then... It was impossible not to have a good time!

I believe the lack of praise for this ALBUM has more to do with the love of the older material by longtime hardcore fans rather than this line up's ability to both move on musically and draw in new listeners with what was at the time a very relavent sounding platter!! Honestly, outside of Smoke and Children everything else sounded like 60's brit pop to me!!!! The comment on Ian's lyrics making no sense were baseless, I'm sorry they weren't as simple as tokyo and truckin'!!! I can asure any 80's music lover discovering some of the "Dino's" from the 60s &70s should definetely chheck this album out, along with Yes's 90125 and the Moody Blues "The Voice". All great Reunion works I found to be as good as or better than some of their past offerings!!!

After almost a decade, deep purple finally came out with this in ‘84. There are some killer tracks on here like “knocking on your back door” and “perfect strangers”, but it feels like there were a lot of poorly written filler tracks in this album. “Son of alerik” is very good but is too long with not enough variety. “Under the gun” and “not responsible” sound uninspired and are not worth even listening to. “Mean streak” is ok at best. Get “knocking” “strangers” and “alerik” and move on.

Not one review of the Mark2 line up Reunion???!!! This was a great meeting up for out of control egos!! Great Solid Purple!!! Rock on