While Machine Head might have been born out of spontaneity, it was also structured impeccably. As it says on the album sleeve: ‘This album was written and recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, between December 6 and 21, 1971.’ But the necessity to deliver the goods launched Purple on to a creative high. Machine Head was conceived at a lightning pace. Ian Gillan’s shrill, tape-looped howls herald some of his all-time great lyrics: ‘Nobody gonna take my car / I’m gonna race it to the ground / Nobody gonna beat my car / It’s gonna break the speed of sound / O-o-o-h it’s a killing machine / It’s got everything…’ Ritchie Blackmore doesn’t just play his guitar, he slashes at it, and the galloping, chundering beat just grows and grows. Highway Star sets a blistering, breathtaking, homicidal pace. What’s more, does Machine Head have just about the greatest opening track on any rock album, ever? There’s a strong case to be made for it. But look beyond Smoke… and you’ll discover Machine Head is the most consummate and well-rounded album recorded by any Purple line-up.
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