Machine Head

The liner notes on this album say something like '2 out of 3 music critics agree: Heavy Metal was born in 1972 with the release of 'Machine Head'. I totally disagree with this. I would have to say it was born in 1970 with the release of Deep Purple's 'In Rock'. 'In Rock' melted ears, and probably scared a lot of people to death. Ian Gillan's animal-like screams, Ritchie's explosive guitar chords, Lord's psychedelic organ, and the ground-pounding rhythm section of Ian Pace and Glover became a force to be reckoned with. Songs ranged anywhere between 3 and 8 minutes long and were jam-packed with long mesmerizing guitar solos and siren-throated screams.

Machine Head, in my opinion, was a cold, dry and over-calculated affair; It was recorded in a hotel lobby and it definitely shows. Ian's powerful shrieks are almost nowhere to be found in this album - perhaps once in 'Highway Star' and 'Lazy' and twice in 'Space Truckin' Ritchie's manic, spontaneous, fuzzed out guitar tone is replaced with a consistently drab, clean yet somewhat distorted, Fender rock-a-billy tone. And Jon Lord is just too... loungey on this record. With 'In Rock' his playing was just as crazy as the guitar pyrotechnics (sample 'Livin' Wreck'). On 'Machine Head', his playing passes for some good backdrop music for a dude in a 70s leisure suit holding a martini trying to pick up chicks (sample the keyboard solo in 'Never Before')

I'm sure a lot of people think this record is a wondrous classic - since a few of it's songs get a lot airplay (including the long yawner 'LAZY') but that's just it - it's tame enough to get airplay. Nothing on 'In Rock' gets airplay and that's because it's still too lethal for weak, untrained ears - 38 years after the fact.

I would even prefer to give the progressive leanings of 'Fireball' a spin before listening to 'Machine Head'

Some people will say "Smoke On The Water" give me a break, you call that great. To Answer those people, yes I do. The song might have (and still is) being played to death on classic rock stations, but it is still a great song. Onto other songs on this album -- "Highway Star", "Lazy", "Space Truckin", need I say more. Pick up this record and Deep Purple in Rock and if you enjoy them, then purchase the rest of their catolouge. I believe that you will like this record. Why do I believe it, because it bloody rules!!!!!!!

I can remember being a freshman in high-school and going to school dances in Bakersfield Ca, and occasionally going home to the OC and going to church dances with friends, and the pretty girls lining the walls or hiding in the Ladies room, but when "Smoke on the Water" would be played, they would all be desperately looking for someone to dance with as soon as the first bar of the song was played.

Adolescent boy's prayers were answered.

This is still the favorite Deep Purple album for most of my friends 36 years gone by now!

One of the greatest rock albums ever made 'Machine Head' combines rock, blues with progressive complexity and the result is nothing less than amazing! Blackmore and Co. rip through each song with dexterity and unrelenting drive! 'Smoke On The Water' has one of the most memorable and best guitar solos in the history of Rock N Roll. Stand out cuts like Lazy, Highway Star and Space Truckin' are pure bliss, but the entire album rocks like there's no tomorrow! The version I have of this is an anniversary edition with the original album remastered on one disc and a remixed version on the other disc, plus some quadraphonic mixes of some choice cuts! It's a smokin' release....if you can find it!

A classic album? Yeah, but again, the songwriting is weak in more areas than any Deep Purple album released before this one.

"Highway Star" is the ultimate speed metal song, as many people are aware by now. "Smoke on the Water" with its amazingly catchy riff is pure genius as well. "Pictures of Home" has the best vocal melody on the album.

"Space Truckin" is NOT very good though, because the vocals are poor. "Lazy" is good, but the live version on Made in Japan destroys it. "Never Before" has an alright guitar riff, but it's just filler anyway. In fact, this is not an album I recommend because Made in Japan drastically improves many of the songs from this album. Just buy Made in Japan instead.