Uriah Heep

Sonic Origami

truly sad

Review Score:

(2/10)
I LIVED Uriah Heep when I grew up and still love their albums with Ken Hensley and David Byron (and Gary Thain, bassist, whose melodic playing created much of the underlying fabric for their great works). This used to be one of the most inventive and musically accomplished rock bands around, accoustically as well as amplified. Then, Hensley, Byron, and Thain left in the mid/late seventies.

OK, that's life, band members leave and the show must go on. In Uriah Heep's case, however, it's a woefully different band ever since: Original guitarist Box (who is, particularly live, one of the best guitarists ever) still gets his genious to sparkle at times but a few good ideas and some passable song material get buried in repetitive pop sing sang, undifferentiated arrangements, and annoying fillers.

This record is no exception. I had read great things about it and WANTED to like it - without avail. Box's guitar genious flashes up in a few guitar solos like in "everything in life."
A few songs push a little old-style organ and choruses. "Question" has beautiful harmonies, accoustic guitar and, for once, somewhat restrained singing with a little modulation. "Across the miles" might have been a nice sing-along for lonely heart radio. "The golden palace" has a nice arrangement and a slight anthem quality. However, otherwise, the constant full-out, heavy handed singing, drumming repetitiveness with few musical hooks, and constant organ noise gives me headaches.

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