Perfect Strangers (album)

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Perfect Strangers
File:DP Perfect Strangers.jpg
Studio album by Deep Purple
Released 29 October 1984
Recorded August 1984 at "Horizons" in Stowe, Vermont, USA
Genre Hard rock
Length 39:28 (Original LP)
44:13 (Original CD)
54:15 (1999 CD re-issue)
Label Polydor (UK)
Mercury Records (US)
Producer Roger Glover
& Deep Purple
Deep Purple chronology
Come Taste the Band
(1975)Come Taste the Band1975
Perfect Strangers
(1984)
The House of Blue Light
(1987)The House of Blue Light1987

Perfect Strangers is the eleventh studio album by Deep Purple, released in October 1984. It represents the first album recorded by the reformed (as well as the most successful and popular), 'Mark II' line-up.[1]

It was the first Deep Purple studio album in nine years, and the first with the Mk II line-up for eleven years, the last being Who Do We Think We Are in 1973. Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover arrived from Rainbow, Ian Gillan from Black Sabbath, Jon Lord from Whitesnake, and Ian Paice from Gary Moore's backing band.

The CD and cassette versions of the album contained the extra track "Not Responsible" (one of few Deep Purple songs with profane lyrics, as the word "fucking" can be heard in the song). The album was remastered and reissued on 22 June 1999 with the bonus instrumental track "Son of Alerik". The latter had previously been available as a B-side on "Perfect Strangers" in 1984.

The tour was so successful that the band had to add many additional dates to the US arena tour, as tickets sold out very quickly. Their US tour in 1985 out-grossed every artist that year except Bruce Springsteen.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 2/5 stars[3]
Rolling Stone 2/5 stars[4]
Sputnik Music 4/5 stars[5]

Deborah Frost of Rolling Stone gave it a review of two out of five stars, remarking that "the material consists of hastily knocked-off jams". The review also stated that "Blackmore's Strat has such a great roar that you're willing to just let it reverberate in your eardrums for a bit. And it's nice to hear Jon Lord's synthesized organ squalls, Ian Paice's electrifying drumming, Ian Gillan's howls and whispers and Roger Glover's solid bass lines once again."[6]

Track listing

All songs by Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan and Roger Glover except where noted. "Not Responsible" was originally cassette and CD only, not on vinyl LP. "Son of Alerik" was not on original cassette, vinyl or CD release; used as an edited 7" B-side, or full version on the 12" of the "Perfect Strangers" single.

Side one
No. Title Length
1. "Knocking at Your Back Door"   7:09
2. "Under the Gun"   4:40
3. "Nobody's Home" (Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice) 4:01
4. "Mean Streak"   4:26
Side two
No. Title Length
5. "Perfect Strangers"   5:31
6. "A Gypsy's Kiss"   5:14
7. "Wasted Sunsets"   3:58
8. "Hungry Daze"   5:01

Personnel

Production notes

  • Recorded at "Horizons", Stowe, Vermont with Le Mobile Studio, 1984
  • Mixed at Tennessee Tonstudio, Hamburg, Germany
  • Engineered by Nick Blagona
  • Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, New York
  • Produced by Roger Glover and Deep Purple

Charts

Sales accomplishments

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Argentina (CAPIF)[12] Gold 30,000
Canada (Music Canada)[13] Platinum 100,000
Germany (BVMI)[14] Gold 250,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] Gold 100,000
United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000

^shipments figures based on certification alone

Accolades

Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Kerrang! United Kingdom "End of Year Lists – Top Album of 1984"[17] 1984 7

(*) designates unordered lists.

References

  1. Review by Allmusic
  2. Jon Lord Interview at www.thehighwaystar.com
  3. Allmusic review
  4. Rolling Stone review
  5. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/31989/Deep-Purple-Perfect-Strangers/
  6. Albumn Review. Rolling Stone. Originally written 28 February 1985.
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External links