Classic Heep: Anthology

The missing link between Deep Purple and Queen, '70s Britrockers Uriah Heep had it all: epic rock anthems, quasi-operatic vocals, and gothic ax 'n' organ grooves that could send Quasimodo into paroxysms of air guitar. This 30-song collection mixes infectious frat-rockers such as "Easy Livin'" and "Sweet Lorraine" with attenuated anthems featuring more demons and wizards than you can shake a scepter at ("Magician's Birthday," "Rainbow Demon," "High Priestess," "The Wizard," "Paradise/The Spell" ... you get the idea). Heavy with just the right amount of histrionics, our Heep could even swing into ballad mode, albeit with mixed results: "Rain," penned by keyboardist Ken Hensley, is surprisingly gorgeous, whereas an early cover of the Weavers' "Come Away Melinda" is a bit overwrought. A band whose reach could exceed their grasp, Uriah Heep was the product of a less cynical and calculated time whose innocence and inspirations are well served by this anthology. --Billy Grenier