What does Bananas sound like?

A potent blend of hard rock riffs and melodic hooks, infused with the seasoned energy of classic rock veterans. Rooted in hard rock and progressive rock. Start with "House of Pain".

Is Bananas a good place to start with Deep Purple?

Yes, Bananas is recommended as a starting point for new Deep Purple listeners. A potent blend of hard rock riffs and melodic hooks, infused with the seasoned energy of classic rock veterans. Released in 2003, Bananas marked Deep Purple's first studio album in eight years and their reunion with producer Michael Bradford. This period followed a lineup change, bringing back keyboardist Don Airey, which reinvigorated the band's sound as they continued to evolve while staying true to their roots.

Bananas works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, gradual builds and payoffs and long, immersive listening sessions.

How many songs are on Bananas?

Bananas has 12 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Bananas

Deep Purple · 2003

51 min · 12 tracks · hard rock

A potent blend of hard rock riffs and melodic hooks, infused with the seasoned energy of classic rock veterans.

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Top tracks — play these first

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House of Pain Start here — The opening track sets the tone with aggressive guitar riffs and an infectious chorus, showcasing the band's ability to marry hard rock energy with lyrical depth.
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Sun Goes Down — This track features a haunting melody and poignant lyrics that reflect themes of loss and introspection, highlighting the band’s more reflective side.
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Razzle Dazzle — With its catchy hooks and vibrant instrumentation, this song embodies the playful spirit of the album while demonstrating Deep Purple's signature songwriting prowess.
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Bananas — The title track encapsulates the album’s energetic vibe, combining sharp lyrics with dynamic musicianship that resonates well with longtime fans.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album balances energetic rock with moments of reflection, showcasing solid songwriting and performance.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with driving guitar riffs, while the second half includes more melodic and introspective songs.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the dynamic range of the sound.
The album closes with an instrumental track that shifts to a slower tempo, providing a contrasting finish to the preceding energetic material.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
gradual builds and payoffs
long, immersive listening sessions
wave-like pacing experience

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Significant return after eight years, showcasing continued vitality in their sound.
Themes: rock revival spirit· post-lineup change energy· reflective sunlit moments
Moods: Intense· Chill
Career context: Released in 2003, Bananas marked Deep Purple's first studio album in eight years and their reunion with producer Michael Bradford. This period followed a lineup change, bringing back keyboardist Don Airey, which reinvigorated the band's sound as they continued to evolve while staying true to their roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Black Sabbath· Rainbow