Here’s a hot take even if it’s not a surprise with me: when it comes to Deep Purple, I more often than not reach for the later, Steve Morse era of the band. Sacrilege! Don’t I know that the only “true” Deep Purple HAS to have Richie Blackmore?! No, because honestly despite my enjoyment of early Deep Purple, Blackmore hasn’t had a really interesting riff or idea since 1987, and it’s a disservice to how this band has persevered, crafting intelligent, fun, and stadium-ready hard rock, particularly in the ir most recent decades partnership with Bob Ezrin as producer. With Morse leaving the band in 2022 to focus on his dying wife, the group found a kindred spirit in Simon McBride (formerly of Sweet Savage) to take the guitar reins. It makes for a different beast, but I’m happy to say the awkwardly titled = 1 continues to showcase a band not content to ride into the sunset just yet.