Rainbow - Stranger in Us All - 1995
From the very first track, "Wolf to the Moon", it's obvious that Blackmore has been itching to rock. Judging from the terrible, wretched pap that he was forced to get behind with Deep Purple I don't blame him. There's a certain southern twang to Stranger that seems like the normal next step for aging rockers. "Stand and Fight" could be a Foghat song.
I haven't really enjoyed a Rainbow album since Down To Earth and that was nowhere near as good as the band's singular best, Rising. On this swan song (Blackmore would retreat to a new project, Blackmore's Night, which I have no intention of ever hearing) he's loaded for bear. He's rocking out. If it's the last time he's going to, then by god, he's gonna show the world what he can do.
He's got a new lead singer, Doogie White, and while he isn't best, he serves the tracks well.
The music is better than anything Blackmore's offered in decades. The playing is stellar. There's no more pandering to radio. Or searching for an audience to validate him over Jon Lord.
Like a song like "Ariel". A lovely elegy with a hint of mid-east overtones, so the experimentation is still there but it's not about that. it's about serving the muse.I even enjoy the rock version of Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King". Cuz, Blackmore seems to love it.
Like I said, serving the muse. And the album does just that. Blackmore saved his best rock album for last.
Grade: A
ASide: Wolf to the Moon, Ariel, Black Masquerade
BlindSide: Cold Hearted Woman, Hunting Humans
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