Deep Purple - Slaves And Masters

This particular album brings back a good childhood memory for me. In the years before I even attended secondary school (Where you're 11-16) my father would put this album (cassette format, naturally) into the car stereo and the two of us would be singing along to the likes of 'king of dreams', 'the cut runs deep' and 'Fortuneteller', having heard them so many times. Now I look back and although I don't think it's that significant an album in Deep Purple's career, it's certainly one that remains a so-called "childhood favourite". It's pretty weak by Deep Purple's standards, the vocals nowhere near as effective as Ian Gillain's and the keyboard effects not being as eccentric or as interesting as usual, but it's certainly not their worst either.

Excellent album. Great tunes. Every song has a unique identity, it's well crafted and got something to say and a great reason to stay for sure. I am not impressed that the defenders of the faith rejected this album. Joe Lynn Turner of course is not as good as Gillan but he is a great singer for sure, and he delivers the goods once again.

Joe trying to sing bluesy, like for example the 3rd/5th tracks, is absolutely cringe. Whenever this stereotypical, dull, badly-wigged AOR singer was hired it was only to make money - by catering to blue-collar Americans who just love their rock dumb and as cheesy as possible. I doubt this was intended for the European market. Yet, Ritchie was late to the party: this generic rock pop Americana drivel had had its heyday in the late 70s and early 80s. I can't think of one song from this genre that I like, not counting Eye of the Tiger, which sounds nothing like AOR. (That singer was Bitchie's first choice.) Way too primitive and predictable for me. Poetic justice, the album flopped badly in the U.S.

The ballad here is called Love Conquers All. Need I say more? And it sounds exactly like you'd expect it to.

Just a year later grunge happened, so it just goes to show how out of touch some of these dinosaur bands become. Talking about the sell-outs, not the honest bands that play their styles irrespective of trends. Just imagine Bitchie trying to write grunge! Gillan very rightfully shit all over this album, and not just because he was out of the band. Hire Turner once (Rainbow), shame on you, hire him a 2nd time, what a fool Bitchie is.

Written by Slopcrusher on 16.09.2025 at 16:14

Joe trying to sing bluesy, like for example the 3rd/5th tracks, is absolutely cringe. Whenever this stereotypical, dull, badly-wigged AOR singer was hired it was only to make money - by catering to blue-collar Americans who just love their rock dumb and as cheesy as possible. I doubt this was intended for the European market. Yet, Ritchie was late to the party: this generic rock pop Americana drivel had had its heyday in the late 70s and early 80s. I can't think of one song from this genre that I like, not counting Eye of the Tiger, which sounds nothing like AOR. (That singer was Bitchie's first choice.) Way too primitive and predictable for me. Poetic justice, the album flopped badly in the U.S.

The ballad here is called Love Conquers All. Need I say more? And it sounds exactly like you'd expect it to.

Just a year later grunge happened, so it just goes to show how out of touch some of these dinosaur bands become. Talking about the sell-outs, not the honest bands that play their styles irrespective of trends. Just imagine Bitchie trying to write grunge! Gillan very rightfully shit all over this album, and not just because he was out of the band. Hire Turner once (Rainbow), shame on you, hire him a 2nd time, what a fool Bitchie is.

I see that you're not a fan of Richie Blackmore 😅 I guess that is understandable, since he seems like an asshole, but it does not take away how great and iconic his works are. And on this album I really love his guitar playing.

Speaking of Joe Lynn Turner, my humble opinion is that he sings a lot better here than Gillian on House of blue light and Perfect strangers, but that is of course a question of taste..

This isnt the Deep Purple I like the most, but it feels like an underrated album.