HIGH AND MIGHTY

An underrated high point in the band's cannon, H&M benefits greatly from John Wetton's bass and Hensley's inspired set of compositions. The album begins with two absolute classics right out of the gate, One Way or Another & Weep In Silence. The former is a cleverly plodding charmer sung by Wetton somewhat pleasantly. Weep In Silence is the highlight of the record. A regally soaring Box solo frames the tale of misplaced leadership and idealism powerfully. This is easily my personal favorite Heep song, it is the highlight of an otherwise ripe heep record. At times it reminds me of a much heavier stripped down Moody Blues track maybe. Next up is the dramatic Misty Eyes, which sounds as if it may have influenced Jack Black of Tenacious D fame. The final track of Side 1 is the proggier side of the band with Midnight, definitely top quality. Side 2 begins with the cool, funky Can't Keep A Good Band Down. Wetton's sound is funky and propulsive and the song is an upbeat melodic diversion. Woman of the world is kind of poppy too, kind of a whimsical british throwback kind of number. Not the best song on the album but still quite solid. Footprints in the Snow nearly matches the aforementioned Weep In Silence for its lyrical grace. Perhaps the solo at the end of the song is a bit of a letdown, it almost sounds as if Box might be trying to conjure the sound of John Wetton's former employer Mr. Fripp somewhat unsuccesfully. Nevertheless, this is another epic Uriah Heep classic, and the quality of the material remaining on the lp can't rise to it. The remaining three tracks alternately folksy, bluesy, and minimalistic unpretentiously conclude a fine Uriah Heep recording. This is one of my favorite records and I would recommend it to anyone.