VERY 'EAVY...VERY 'UMBLE

Caught somewhere between the past and the present, Uriah Heeps first album is somewhat of a mixed bag. There is brilliance in several pieces, like the led-heavy and supremely organ driven Gypsy to the amazing (Wake up) Set your sights with it's fine, jazzy composition. But then there are other tracks (like Lucy blues) not quite up to par. Actually that one is really boring blues.

Uriah Heep stands somewhere between Deep Purple and Black Sabbath on this one. Utterly heavy at times, truly proggy in other and always with a dominance of keyboards, especially organ. I think Uriah Heep ought to be more acknowledged than they are. True, they are not as brilliant as Sabbath, Purple or Zeppelin but they do possess their own sound and trademark. When they are brilliant they are divine. This, their first album, is quite a good way to start exploring Heep.