URIAH HEEP

It seems almost pointless to review a set of songs that will be so ingrained in fans' heads throughout the 40-year course of this 'celebrated' UK progressive rock band. They don't command the same sort of general-populace reverence as the likes of Genesis et al, but that may well work in favour of this album. The fans will already have their opinions on the validity of such an endeavour, so it is fortunate that I have no vested interest in the band (besides a very limited passing knowledge of them) to be able to offer some unaffected appraisal here. Do the songs stand up without the baggage of their earlier-recorded predecessors? It took some time to get into the feel of Uriah Heep's sound but, when the moment came that I could abandon any thoughts of the songs being, well, silly at times, I began to appreciate the song-writing ability, and sheer musical prowess on display. Yes, it sounds like early UK progressive rock but, with progressive rock being embraced the world over, and not just a dirty word now, surely this is not a bad thing? And it isn't. Indeed, for the most part, it's a fantastic fist-raising slice of joy. I'm not going to elevate this to 'album of the year' status, or indeed become a fan of Uriah Heep as a result, but I can now appreciate the genuine talent that I have missed out on for a good number of years. So, as an exercise in celebrating the life of such a worthwhile band, and to allow a new generation of music lovers to be given the opportunity to listen to these songs with a fresh new veneer of polish, I deem this a huge success.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

earMUSIC

Album

CELEBRATION: FORTY YEARS OF ROCK

Review by Steve Cowan

RUNNING TIME:

62:27

RELEASE DATE:

19th Oct 2009

TRACK LISTING

1) Only Human; 2) Bird of Prey
3) Sunrise; 4) Stealin'
5) Corridors of Madness
6) Between Two Worlds
7) The Wizard
8) Free Me
9) Free and Easy
10) Gypsy
11) Look At Yourself
12) July Morning
13) Easy Livin'
14) Lady in Black

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

"...as an exercise in celebrating the life of such a worthwhile band...I deem this a huge success."