SWEET FREEDOM

What to say about this album that most reviewrs had already said? I was surprised by the low ratings this CD got here in PA. It was always one of my favorites Uriah Heep works and I still think it´s a great album today. Ok, the musicanship suffered a little by this time due to a lot of problems the band was facing at the time (long tours, Byron´s driking , Thain´s heroin addiction, short time to record, etc). Still no one notices that hearing this CD.

The fantasy themes were gone too, mostly because the group felt a lot of people were missing the point (i.e. taking the stories too seriously, specially in USA). It may sound silly today, but let´s remember those were the early 70´s and the subject was quite new and bold (and let´s face that even ten years later, in the 80´s a lot of heavy metal bands were accused of satanism for dealing with such themes). Anyway, on the muscial side only the album had a lot to offer and it may explain´s it´s success at the time, even with the sudden change (even at the cover art). Sweet Freedom produced two all time classics with Stealin´and the title track, but there are more gems here, most of them forgotten ones. In fact maybe with the sole exception of even Seven Stars (the only weaker tune, even though it´s not bad), all the songs are remarkable and inspired. I hear the whole album every time I put it on.

So in the end I must rate Sweet Freedom below Magician´s Birthday and Demons And Wizzards, but only because those are truly flawless masterpieces and I appreciate their fantasy themes a lot. Musicly speaking Sweet Freedom may be a little different, rockier album, but still powerful and convincing. Four stars at least. Highly recommended.