RETURN TO FANTASY

Following the route traced by their previous works, "Sweet Freedom" and "Wonderworld", Uriah Heep reiterates their inclination towards accessible formulas for "Return to Fantasy" (1975), their eighth album.

After a very interesting start with Mick Box's guitar riffs intertwined with Hensley's keyboards and synthesizers and David Byron's wide-ranging vocals on the eponymous title track, "Return to Fantasy" gives pride of place to melodies more in keeping with the sounds of bands like the Eagles, America, Bread and the like, where the melodic takes priority over complex and intricate developments, and is reflected in the light country rock of "Shady Lady", "Showdown" and "Why Did You Go" (a ballad supported by the Pedal Steel guitar of the guest B. J. Cole), in the spirited boogie of "Prima Donna", and in the gentle soft blues of "Your Turn to Remember", songs that inevitably lead to memorable and easily digestible choruses.

There are, however, some efforts to flesh out the sound and get closer to early Uriah Heep heavies, with Box's guitar solo preceded by the great counterpoint between Hensley's keyboards and Box's own riffs in the substantial middle section of the vigorous "Devil´s Daughter", one of the album's best, and with Hensley's cutting moog effluvia backed by Lee Kerslake's stubborn drumming on "Beautiful Dream", and not much else.

And between the keyboards, acoustic harmonies, John Wetton's accomplished bass (correct as in the rest of the work, although without much prominence), and the choruses that provide a peaceful epic aspect to "A Year or a Day", the album ends with more conciliatory will than brilliance and inventiveness.

"Return to Fantasy" is one of the British band's least appreciated works in the epilogical moments of their most renowned period, and although it is not a faded album, it doesn't add much to the band's legacy either.

2.5/3 stars

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to Hector Enrique
• Report this review (#3172117)
• Buy URIAH HEEP music online with PA partners
• Show all URIAH HEEP MP3/Stream
• Go to URIAH HEEP page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Return to Fantasy page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for URIAH HEEP related discussions