THE MAGICIAN'S BIRTHDAY

The progression of Uriah Heep toward a truly progressive rock album took a step forward with Demons and Wizards, but the follow up, Magician's Birthday, IMHO, relies a bit too much on the D & W formula--which, at times, makes it feel tired. The album had an FM radio "hit" in "Sweet Lorraine" (4:13) (7/10), a likable rock song with some eerie synth play and tight bass play from Gary Thain, as well as an irreverent, GRAND FUNK/LED ZEPPELIN-influenced long playing "epic" to interest the art rockers in the ten minute long title song (which I never really liked) (7/10).

Favorite songs: "Sunrise" (4:04) (9/10), "Rain" (3:59) (8/10), "Blind Eye" (3:33) (8/10), "Echoes in the Dark" (4:48) (8/10), and "Tales" (4:09) (8/10).