Jon Hinchliffe
I have just been reading some of the reviews on Uriah.Heep.com. Very interesting. As I Praying Mantis fan interested in Bernie I have a completely different view on it. I guess I am not hinder by knowing and loving a past version of Heep. I can just enjoy this album on it's own merits.

I don't think it a great album but it is certainly a reasonable one. I do have most of the other Bernie Heep albums so I guess I am not completely free from Bias. My first play of the album I thought this is pretty much what we have heard before I was therefore very surprised to read Tapio say the reverse. The album also seemed a little slow overall not as Rocky as I expected but that is perhaps because I have been listening to so heavy albums recently.

Between two worlds - definitely struck me as sounding like a past Bernie album track. I would not have a clue as to what though. I like it but I can't see where Alex gets the bit about the Move's Blackberry Way from.

I hear Voices - I am not keen on this one yet. I don't seem to like the Treated Bernie vocal verses. It is OK but nothing special. I can see Alex's Hints of Reunion Deep Purple in the riff design

Perfect Little Heart - I can't decided what I think about this. I don't like the horrid little guitar riff at the start and throughout but I think I do like the track overall or do I? I don't know

Heartless Land - I really like this one.

Only The Young - Why is everyone hung up about songs written by Bolder? I will have to see what he has done before. This is one of my favourites on the album

In The Moment - Another track that is OK. It too seems to have a Purple touch too it. (OK so I withdraw my lack of Bias comment above)

Question - Another of my favourites on the album. Am I being sucked by the Ballads?

Change - Is OK but does not really strike me. The Ah ah Ahhhh. Bit is very Heep to me. Is that not Classic Heep like?

Shelter From The Rain - Ah a ballad I am not struck on. It's OK though

Everything In Life - Ah and now a fast one that I quite like.

Across the Miles - This one seems to be getting some stick. But this is another favourite of mine.

Feels Like - Another OK only track.

Golden Palace - This could well be my favourite on the disc. Lots of variation and great Vocals. I hope it is played live next Month

Sweet Pretender - I am glad I did not go out of my way to get this as a bonus track. It is OK but nothing Special. Oh and I see it is another Boulder Track. He he.

So that seems to be 4 I strongly like. 3 I think are pretty good. And 7 that are Enjoyable enough but nothing great.

-- I have a few pages on NWOBHM group Praying Mantis at http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/praying-mantis/pm/. NWOBHM band Lyadrive .../praying-mantis/lyadrive/ I run Discussion lists for the following Artists :- Praying Mantis, Lou Reed, Renaissance, Curved Air, Ayreon Hard Rain/Magnum. E-mail me for details