After two excellent albums, Baroness released Yellow and Green, an album that saw them completely (well, not completely, but close to that) changing their sound and venturing into mainstream (with bits of progressive) rock waters. Yes, the double album had some elements from their savannah sludge origins but it was basically watered down sound that nevertheless had quality tunes. And a lot of people haven't liked it, even though the music wasn’t bad. On the contrary, Yellow and Green was another quality offering, but it ended up with a sellout record stamp, and it didn’t deserve to be classified in that group.
After Yellow and Green, most of the fans thought that Baroness will continue to carve the way through mainstream and never return to their roots. But, as good bands usually do, they released a comeback album that will please the fans while at the same time reaching to people that never heard of them.
Purple is a sort of a blend between Red album, Blue record and Yellow and Green. I read on some forum that when you mix red and blue colors you get purple but I wouldn’t characterize Purple like that. Although it really can be described as a mix between first two albums, it still has lots of chunks from Yellow and Green. And that’s the reason why this album is so good. Savannah sludge combined with more mainstream rock sound really has a nice bouquet. Furious sludge energy combined with more mainstream sound makes Purple one of the best metal releases of 2015.
The songs enter your head so easy and you crave for just another listen, songwriting is really excellent making every tune a world of its own, but at the same time keeping the album pace perfect. Another thing that’s done perfectly is track list. Rarely can you bump into an album that has this good song placing making it a really enjoyable listening experience. When there is a need for a furious change, you have it. And as soon as you think that next song should slow down the pace a little, a perfectly fitting song will play next, marvelous. If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain) is a perfect song to close the album with (Crossroads of Infinity is actually 16 seconds outro) and Morningstar is the kind of song that has album opener vibe all over it.
Purple is a spot on answer to all people who said that Baroness will never again release a sludge album, they did it, and it is even better than the first two (subjective opinion). All in all, if you like Baroness, savannah sludge, good rock tunes, if you are just a metalhead, or a person that don’t consider itself a slave to one genre, check it out, it will give you 40 minutes of pure music bliss.
