THE MAGICIAN'S BIRTHDAY

What to say about album that never really had a chance. Coming after great Demons and Wizards The Magician's Birthday could never beat expectations. Although it doesn't start in that way opening song Sunrise is so strong and powerful that I had feeling that this album will be powerful at lest as last one. This song has everything that I like in UH great David Byron's vocal , great screaming back vocals and strong powerful music. Also has some kind of fantasy mystery around it that most great UH tracks have. Spider woman its nice little love song but not quite in the standard of the first song. Guitar is somewhat annoying it doesn't quite sit well in main ear. Now it comes Blind Eye probably mine favorite from album. Its starts with a "riding" rhythm and nice guitar melody. Byron's voice is calm when he starts to sing like he is telling a story. Its very good song. Echoes In The Dark is mystical song as the title suggests. Very nice guitar work through entire song. Nice vocals and lyrics. One of the highlights of the album. Rain is a beautiful ballad on which I just to dance with mine wife so I have emotions attached to it. Beautiful song , great piano, nice emotional vocals, what else to say.

Sweet Lorraine. Hmmm this one is tricky. I love this crazy opening music , lyrics are ok but I just hate this main catchy chorus it sounds like country. So everything is ok except the main chorus I just cant swallow it. Tales is a slow song trying to be mystical but it just fails. Uninspired song fails to touch you in a right spot. Now it comes The Magician's Birthday everybody's favorite. Probably because its long over 10 minutes. I never understand why people think that one song is great just because is very long. Its a stupid thought. Song starts with good rhythmic guitar and drumming work. Standard vocals and decent lyrics. Song is great until it comes to happy birthday chorus. I just hate this chorus its spoils entire song. Song after a while again comes back to the opening theme which then quickly fades out to some kind of dark music which after a while evolves to a annoying guitar solo which continues fore a couple of minutes. After that main story and singing continues and then song finishes. All in all not that bad song but I cannot escape felling that is somewhat forced. Like band was trying to make a equivalent for Paradise/Spell from Demons. They had a great idea but after a first chorus they just didn't now what to do so they force song until the end .

This is another great album from Uriah Heep with much better A side. I also have to mention another great cover art.