URIAH HEEP: Firefly (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The release of "Firefly" has certainly made the hearts of many fans of the first hour beat faster. Indeed, Uriah Heep's tenth album marks an important line-up change: not only does the band lose its bassist, who is none other than John Wetton, but above all, they part ways with their singer, who was a bit too much into the drink to continue the adventure. Changing a singer is never easy for a band. If differentiating the touch of two pianists or the playing of two guitarists requires a minimum of ear, the voice is a much more distinctive element and the common man has often assimilated the departure of charismatic singers as sounding the death knell of the career of his favourite band. The risk of a fan base losing its bearings is all the greater if the singer has a distinctive voice. And David Byron is certainly not an all-purpose singer who can be easily replaced.

Yet John Lawton, who takes on this onerous task, does more than just limit the damage. He cleverly avoids trying to be too much like his predecessor without making too much of a break. His interpretation is more like a hard rock style tinged with blues, with a mixture of power and sudden high-pitched jumps reminiscent of Ian Gillan on several occasions. He is at ease in this register, putting a communicative energy in his interventions. On the bass side, Trevor Bolder also proves to be impeccable, Uriah Heep finally achieving a perilous mutation without a hitch.

Once reassured of the newcomers' ability to assume their role, the listener naturally turns to the quality of the compositions. As usual, Ken Hensley does almost all of it, helping to keep the album in Uriah Heep tone. The exception is 'Who Needs Me', a simple but enjoyable rock'n'roll tune credited to drummer Lee Kerslake, echoed by 'Do You Know', which sounds like something out of a Chuck Berry record. Mick Box and Trevor Bolder take it in turns to let off steam, much to our delight. The album displays a nice diversity, with moments that are more or less successful: 'The Hanging Tree' is a hard rock that is a bit easy but is a good starter, 'Wise Man' is a romantic ballad with gospel choirs that lacks sensitivity to be fully effective, and 'Rollin' On' is a sluggish blues of which the only thing that will be remembered is the superb atmospheric bridge with the guitar. 'Firefly', a curious mix of Styx and Wishbone Ash, and 'Been Away Too Long' are more contrasting and require several listens before their beauty is revealed, but it's worth it. Finally, 'Sympathy' surprises with its galloping bass line and weighted but beautiful guitar interventions. A western melody in the Eagles style on which Lawton lets loose in the high notes in a very appropriate way.

Once the shock caused by the change of singer is digested, "Firefly" offers a good musical moment of great variety. Fans of light hard rock, blues and AOR should easily find what they are looking for. - Official website

URIAH HEEP

FIREFLY

WARNER

ROCK