Long Live Rock 'n' Roll

Long Live Rock ’N’ Roll brings Ritchie Blackmore’s incisive guitar playing and Ronnie James Dio’s dramatic vocal storytelling together at a particularly high level of focus. The title track combines a huge riff with a communal chorus that is instantly singable, yet Blackmore’s playing keeps the tension alive beneath its apparent simplicity. Dio carries melodies as though he is narrating a story, introducing mystery and melancholy as naturally as he introduces triumph. “Gates of Babylon” builds a grand atmosphere from keyboards and guitar, while “Kill the King” displays the band’s attacking side through sharp riffs and fast movement. The accessible “Lady of the Lake” and the delicate afterglow of “Rainbow Eyes” are equally important, widening the record’s palette. Cozy Powell’s drumming and Jimmy Bain’s low end keep the foundation steady whenever the music expands. Epic storytelling, straight-ahead rock energy and quiet lyricism connect without strain, making this one of the defining summations of 1970s RAINBOW. Each song opens a different door, but the return of Blackmore’s guitar and Dio’s voice always restores the album’s center of gravity.