HIGH AND MIGHTY

After the average "Wonderworld" and "Return to Fantasy" what can we expect from the Heep ? "One Way Or Another" featuring Wetton on the lead vocal, is the first attempt to FM / AOR music (nothing surprising with Wetton involved). This song is not really bad but do not expect anything great (backing vocals are almost unbearable). IMO, this is the Heep swan song (first era).

"Weep In Silence" is a very good song : a great rock ballad with superb guitar play. Melody is very nice. Somewhat poppy though (again, backing vocals are really weak).

There are many average songs on this album , which can be heard without listening if you see what I mean : you can play them while you're cooking or washing your car and you'll get the impression : not too bad. But when you listen to them carefully, there is not really a lot to remember. "Misty Eyes", "Midnight" (another ballad with great bass), "Can't Stop Singing" (good rocking tempo) etc. Most of the records will be of that vein : middle of the road rock music.

Some poor tracks like "Woman Of The World", "Footprints In The Snow" (again very poor backing vocals) and "Can't Stop Singing" (they should have done it in this particular case) and the mellow "Sundown" (piano-lobby-bar oriented : real bad).

"Make A Little Love" is above par : a nice old rock'n'roll flavor to kick a bit. It gives a change is this rather monotonous album.

The second good song of the album is "Name Of The Game" : the first bonus track of the remastered CD version ! Again, why didn't they include this track in the original one is a mystery. It is already the third or fourth time I am noticing this for the Heep : great bonus tracks superior to the original studio material.

Surprisingly, vocals are rather weak and dull for most of the time. It will be Byron's last one with the band. IMO, this album is even weaker than "Wonderworld". Three out of then, but I will upgrade the remastered CD version to two stars thanks to "Name.".