Uriah Heep – Living the Dream.jpg)
Frontier
http://www.uriah-heep.com
Rating: B+
Uriah Heep is releasing their 25th studio album on September 14th on Frontiers Records. This is an amazing accomplishment…even more amazing is the fact that the band still sound fresh, love playing and are pumping out hard rocking tunes that grab the ear and refuse to let go.
Uriah Heep guitarist and founding member Mick Box has this to say about their new album, “We have been together for 47 years and we have seen many bands come and go, so in effect we are ‘Still Living The Dream,’ so it was the perfect title for the new album.”
The album is a perfect mix of the era of the band with Bernie Shaw and the ‘good old daze’ of the famous lineups of the 1970s. I know everyone says that…but in this case it is very true. The album starts off with a rocker titled “Grazed By Heaven.” The opening drum lick by Russell Gilbrook gets one’s attention and Mick Box’s guitar run then makes sure you understand this band is firing on all cylinders.
Other standout tracks include the titled track, “Living the Dream” which shows off Shaw’s killer vocal skills and Phil Lanzon’s keyboard swirls. This sucker plods along during the verse and then gives way to a classic hard rock riff that leads to a killer chorus. “Take Away My Soul” is perhaps the classic Heep fan’s favorite on the album. This one rocks and becomes sonically addictive…and there is just a great song.
Famed producer Jay Ruston was brought in to produce the band. The man understood what Mick Box wanted as Mick admits, “We chose Jay because we admire his work with The Winery Dogs, Stone Sour, Black Star Riders, Paul Gilbert, and Europe. Jay has either produced, mixed or both for these bands, and he brought a fresh approach to Heep. He has been marvelous to work with."
“Waters Flowing” is an emotion song, well written and well recorded. The slower tune possesses a feeling of hope. This is perhaps not the most talked about tune on this release but this writer predicts a fan favorite has just been born. The Heep faithful will likely demand “It’s All Been Said” to be played live as it is a musically theatrical piece that hooks the listener with the opening notes and refuses to let go.
The fan base can choose what they want concerning this release. The album will be released in CD, deluxe edition including one bonus audio track and a DVD, LP and Limited Box Set Edition including deluxe edition + T-shirt.
The Heep no longer make bad records. The last couple of decade they are solid as a rock and they never disappoint. With Living The Dream they continue on this trek…only perhaps they have actually kicked it up another notch.
Well done mates!
TRACKLISTING:
CD
Grazed By Heaven
Living The Dream
Take Away My Soul
Knocking At My Door
Rocks In The Road
Waters Flowin’
It’s All Been Said
Goodbye To Innocence
Falling Under Your Spell
Dreams Of Yesteryear
Take Away My Soul (Alternate Version) Bonus Track (Deluxe Edition Only)
DVD (deluxe edition only)
Grazed By Heaven (Music Video)
Take Away My Soul (Music Video)
Making The Dream (Documentary)
OFFICIAL TOUR DATES: http://www.uriah-heep.com/newa/livedates.php
BAND LINEUP:
Mick Box: Guitar, Vocals
Phil Lanzon: Keyboards, Vocals
Bernie Shaw: Lead Vocals
Russell Gilbrook: Drums, Vocals
Dave Rimmer: Bass, Vocals
By Jeb “The Wizard” Wright
