WONDERWORLD

not really bad, but not up to parr with what they did prior to this. Heep lost their rough edge and the guitar isn't as important as it used to be. The organ sounds and bass are the main instruments as is Byron's voice. But when you think of Uriah Heep you will think of Mick Box's guitarworks, which is hardly present.

The ballads are still quite good, with some stunning stuff from mostly Hensley, and the Heep choir, Byron in front of the music, and effective rhythms from Kerslake and Thain. The opener Wonderworld is a good ballad, the following Suicidal Man again features strong driving rock, but where is Mick Box hidding (answer somewhere in the rhythmics), good short ahhh's from Heep splitting the cords as if they are part of the percussion.

Mostly carried by the beautifull vocal lines (think Queen, or Gentle Giant) The Shadow and the Wind is nice but not really very good. after that again the pace quickens to a sloppy played but nice classic rock/blues tune called So tired, which in a way describes this album so tired so uninspired. The Easy Road is what they explore on this album, creating beautifull music, but never really challenge the listeners. beauty is what remains, but if that's enough only you can decide.

I wanted to go through the album song by song, but the last two songs say enough really. It surely isn't a bad album, and beautifull moments can be heard, but the band was going through the motion, creating what everyone will please, but non will be stunned by this like their previous albums could do.

2 stars, because this easy road should have been avoided by the talented band Uriah Heep is, musically it still is rather good. Check it out if you like their albums, and enjoy this good album, but don't expect real magic.