Is Come Taste the Band a good place to start with Deep Purple?

Yes, Come Taste the Band is recommended as a starting point for new Deep Purple listeners. A fusion of hard rock energy and progressive elements, driven by soulful melodies and intricate musicianship. Released on October 10, 1975, Come Taste the Band marked Deep Purple's first album after the departure of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. With Tommy Bolin stepping in as a new member, the band was navigating a significant lineup change while exploring a more funk-infused sound that diverged from their earlier heavy metal roots.

Who is Come Taste the Band for?

Come Taste the Band works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove exploration, vibrant energy for gatherings and catchy choruses for sing-alongs.

How many songs are on Come Taste the Band?

Come Taste the Band has 10 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Released 51 years ago this October

Come Taste the Band

Deep Purple · 1975

36 min · 10 tracks · hard rock

A fusion of hard rock energy and progressive elements, driven by soulful melodies and intricate musicianship.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Comin’ Home Start here — This opening track sets the tone with a blend of driving rhythms and soulful vocals, showcasing Bolin’s guitar prowess and the band's new direction.
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Gettin’ Tighter — With its catchy hook and tight instrumentation, this song exemplifies the band's ability to merge hard rock with funk influences, highlighting their evolving sound.
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You Keep on Moving — This closing track features poignant lyrics and showcases emotional depth, allowing Bolin’s guitar work to shine alongside powerful vocal delivery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends hard rock and funk effectively, with strong arrangements but mixed reception limiting its legacy.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong groove in 'Comin’ Home', establishing a funk-infused hard rock sound that persists throughout.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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

steady mid-tempo groove exploration
vibrant energy for gatherings
catchy choruses for sing-alongs
engaging hooks that invite participation
short tracks for quick enjoyment

Maybe skip if you

seeking slow, introspective pieces
prefer long, sprawling compositions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Introduces funk elements and a new lineup, marking a shift in Deep Purple's sound.
Themes: post-Blackmore transition· soulful grooves· collaborative musicianship
Moods: Energetic· Uplifting
Career context: Released on October 10, 1975, Come Taste the Band marked Deep Purple's first album after the departure of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. With Tommy Bolin stepping in as a new member, the band was navigating a significant lineup change while exploring a more funk-infused sound that diverged from their earlier heavy metal roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Black Sabbath· Rainbow