[Heeplist] My Outsider review for In Rock magazine (Russia)

[Bob Winward]

Proclamation to the list:
Let it be known on this date the 25th of June in the year 2014, I agree with
Igor Shveitser, 100%

Igor says All Outsider is good Outsider!


On 6/24/14 9:37 AM, "Igor Shveitser" <zlenko_iv at mail.ru> wrote:

>  Hello everyone,
As promised, here's the review of the latest LP. Be as strict
> as you can, constructive criticism is ALWAYS better for me than indulging
> approval. I hope, musicians also feel that way, at least sometimes.
> :))))))))

URIAH HEEP
Outsider
Frontiers records/Soyuz
9 /10
Recording of a
> modern hard rock LP is similar to cooking a dish from an in advance known and
> not really various set of products. In this case products ­ certain touches,
> harmonies, sounds by which we actually determine the identity of a group. And
> freshness is still very much in demand. No, not freshness of ideas, - crucial
> innovations in the genre have not been present for some 30 years now, - but of
> the mood. Mick Box and Phil Lanzon ­ the main driving force behind modern
> Uriah Heep throughout  all those "not innovative" three decades ­ without any
> exaggeration managed to create if not a masterpiece still an album without
> obvious shortcomings and filled with mood. The mood is the drive.
Any of the
> genre¹s classics including Black Sabbath or Deep Purple  can¹t afford
> themselves to be as crazy as modern Heep in, for example, the Outsider itself
> or tongue-in-cheek Say Goodbye. The disk is generally filled with fast,
> fervent songs. If the captious Heep¹ or style¹s connoisseur objects: ³All of
> this doesn¹t have much to do with real vintage Uriah Heep, tracks of the level
> of "that" group are still vitally necessary, - I will give a cutting answer:
> ³that group² isn't around since mid 70-s, and copy is always worse than
> original. The same titled modern group is very good in its own way. Probably,
> even better than ever. And it¹s not that certain Box-Byron-Hensley incarnation
> of UH could give the same fierce hell then as Box-Lanzon-Shaw one can now.
> Knowing almost by heart all of Uriah Heep releases, I dare to claim: in terms
> of  an entire album Mick Box ne-ver did his fretwork  with such inspiration
> and passion. Perhaps, his job on Abominog was of the same kind, but the album
> was not. And composition-wise there¹s never been such variety since Byron's
> departure. Besides, regarding rhythmical aspect, the group also obviously
> opened a new page in their book.
Let us also not forget about the state which
> musicians were in prior to recording the Outsider. It was necessary to reject
> sad thoughts of terrestrial life¹s caducity, cease mourning Trevor Bolder's
> loss how ever dear he was to the band, and integrate into recording process
> the new creative link ­ Dave Rimmer, the bassist. As Bernie Shaw sings in the
> most recently made traditional Heep kind of shuffle, "There¹s one thing in
> life which you do best, - just do it right Š". Undoubtedly, these words are
> applicable to Davey. He, as the new record shows, is perfectly able to play
> music in that pulsing, walking heepy manner, with air filling glissandos. We
> won¹t also take away from UH the ability to make a right choice. It concerns
> not only the one of a bass player, but also the album¹ format in many ways.
> First, there¹s an excellent cover art somehow reminding Storm Thorgerson¹
> works made for Pink Floyd. Secondly, there¹s a variety of its forms ­ standard
> CD,  digipack, bonused Japanese release, download, two kinds of vinyl platters
> and even a set with a t-shirt. Thirdly, timing limited by 50 minutes means we
> are in the reign of a classical hard rock album. However crucial are the
> compositions. Sending us back to late 80-s Heep (which strictly speaking Mick
> Box& Co. still are) even if only a little, the songs are an example of
> cleverly synthesized all eras of a genre with various dynamics. For instance,
> our title track is almost heavy metal, The Law brings in both funky main part
> and progressive middle-section which has a place for both forte and
> pianissimo.
Jessie ­ here¹s truly a hit! - its intro is a very cunningly
> processed allusion on Smoke on the Water (same both harmony and key) while the
> verse part is rather a stadium kind of heavy pop rock of the 80-s.  Rocking
> and rolling Rock The Foundation resurrects distinct spirit of Š that¹s
> correct, of rock'n'rolls off Return To Fantasy, High And Mighty or even
> Lawton¹era releases. Is Anybody Gonna Help Me stands out ­ for the first time
> since 1972 Uriah Heep decided to jam in the studio, allowing every band member
> to play the solo. 
The similar variative approach is inherent practically in
> each song, sending us either back to the roots of Uriah Heep or to time-wise
> less distant eras of the group itself and the whole genre which is classic
> hard rock. Probably, that¹s exactly what Phil Lanzon meant in an interview
> given to the author of these lines in autumn of 2013 while speaking of his
> desire to make music more "progressive". Progress for  Heep, their step
> forward ­ synthesis and complexification of compositions. Plus the spirit, its
> freshness, cheerfulness and power.
The album has no weak spots. That is also
> perfectly confirmed by its sales in one of the largest British online shops.
> Motherland never sympathized too much with the band, but currently Outsider is
> the best selling album in "hard rock" category. Everyone thinking differently
> I address to the beginning of this Œumble text and repeat: Uriah Heep of 2014
> is an absolutely different group. The music might please you not, no, we all
> know that proverb about tastes. But there are qualities, merits and, speaking
> the language of these fine musicians, you can¹t take that away. Yes, Mick Box
> and the company are in many respects hostages of a glorious rock legend past
> but they handle with the heritage very carefully and surely do their thing
> good, thus augmenting the mentioned above heritage. And it is them who are
> definitely no outsiders.
Igor Shveytser



-- 
Igor
> Shveytser
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