1001 Albums Summary

Deep Purple made great albums before and after Machine Head but it is here where everything worked. Like all classic albums, this one is defined as much by the deep cuts as much as it is the singles and the ones that endured on classic rock radio. The single and the track that everyone knows, is "Smoke in the Water", as memorable a classic rock song as any thanks not only because of Ritchie Blackmore's iconic guitar riff but by its chorus, Jon Lord's keyboard lines, and Ian Gillian's powerful vocal. Nearly as memorable is the soaring "Highway Star", where both Lord and Blackmore shine like the sun during their solos, and the glorious riffs that carry the excellent closer "Space Truckin". The aforementioned deep cuts are all killers as "Maybe I'm A Leo" is carried by another killer riff while "Never Before" is defined by its groove and Lord's magical keyboard lines while the driving "Pictures of Home" is anchored by the superb rhythm laid down by drummer Ian Paice and bassist Roger Glover and features more Blackmore goodness. Finally, "Lazy" is a tour de force for Lord that is one of those great tracks that is most appreciated after hours. Deep Purple made a ton of strong albums but Machine Head is their Mona Lisa.