Uriah Heep Weekend: Ranking the 70s albums
That was one great ride from June 1970 till September 1978. Twelve studio albums plus one double live. Where last week's ranking of Queensryche was very easy due to the wide range of quality, here it is one tough list to make. Probably later this afternoon, I would rank them differently, but hey that is a good sign. So twelve great albums to list, here comes my order.
The last Byron album had a drop in qulaity between very solid Side one and average side two. Still some fine tunes to enjoy, but not a classic.
The last Lawton album, also lacking some songs that stand out here. No mighty organs or keyboards present.
This is a very strong album following a brilliant opening title track. From now the ranking becomes impossible really. Maybe overall not their best yet, but definitely worth checking out.
The second Lawton album which was filled with cool songs and including their fastest banger in Free 'n' Easy. Since not with Byron classify as underrated.
Yes a crime with opening track Gypsy on it. But I did not take the year of release into account, the whole album was not of the same level as Gypsy (while still very strong etc.)
One hell of an album in a hell of a cover. Still the title track does not work everyday for me. Further some classic songs on this one with Sweet Lorraine and Rain. No real fillers either.
Number six based upon their awesome opening title track. Return to Fantasy is the Heep song to sing along to while driving, doing the dishes or sit in a chair. The rest of the album can't follow that peak, but that song hey.
Same as the Magician the epic title track is not for every moment. But the remainder of the album with Bird of Prey, High Priestess and Time To Live is so strong. With Lady in Black their biggest singalong live song on the album too.
The biggest surprise to me of the albums I knew less well. Eight killer songs make this an enjoyable album from start to finish. Probably the surprise that after Byron leaving the band, they were able to make an album this strong helped in my appreciation.
Is it possible to put an album that holds July Morning not on the number one spot? Apparently so even if the other six songs are also all ace. Definitely a must own album for anyone into hardrock blended with some prog. Main source for the Live album as well.
I did keep the top two for the LP's I own. Sweet Freedom is with it's release after the live album, maybe not as appreciated as it should be. Stealin' is on it man. Also an album with great variation between the eight songs who individually all shine.
Their biggest album and well deserved so. When you don't even know if opening song The Wizard is the best, or closing double Paradise/The Spell. you think of Rainbow Demon another candidate. This is such a ride and Easy Livin' probably their best known song is on it as well. As I wrote already on Friday, if anyone needs to be introduced to Uriah Heep, they should hear this album.
So now I can start reading the book Uriah Heep in the 1970s by Steve Pilkington. I'm sure that it will make me pick up all albums again, to check out what the text was about. If there ever was a price for the most underrated band in music Uriah Heep would be a candidate for that title. They are going strong for 51 years now and next to their own huge discography, they were important for the birth of both melodic hard rock and progmetal. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame doesn't have them in it, but that's me just kidding since that instutute is the worst joke ever. Rolling Stone magazine is behind that. Same magazine that started the review of Heep's debut album with the untasty "if this band makes it, I'm going to have to commit suicide". So how do you admit the greatness of Uriah Heep after that?
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