I’ve decided to try a different approach with some releases. It’s gotten hard for me to write reviews. I am not a fan of writing and on top of that, reviews are so subjective. But I still want to pass along info on albums that I am really enjoying that have just been released. So perhaps this format will work. Please let me know what you think!

Uriah Heep has been around a very long time. They have had many different lineups through the years with guitarist Mick Box being the only constant. “Living the Dream” is their 25th studio album and not only is it one of the best modern Heep albums, it is one of the best ever Heep albums! All killer, no filler.

The band sound amazing through out the album and this batch of songs are varying degrees of great. I love Bernie Shaw’s voice and he sounds amazing still. The key for me has been drummer Russell Gilbrook. On “Living the Dream,” he drives every song. And for those who say Heep aren’t prog, check the end of “Take Away My Soul” and the last 2/3 of “Rocks in the Road.” HOLY SHIT! Phenomenal album.

Label: Frontiers Music srl
Release Date: 15 September 2018

Crippled Black Phoenix have been a favorite of mine for quite a few years now. But their covers album from earlier this year,”Horrific Honorifics,” was aptly titled. CBP are normally GREAT on covers yet this album came out dreary and disjointed. The previous album “Bronze” had many more weak moments than I am used to from the band. So with “Great Escape,” I was actually concerned for the first time. Would this continue the path down dark and dreary and dull or would they revert back to their epic Floydian style.

Luckily it is more of the latter. I do think the music is better than the vocals, mostly because Belinda Kordic is still a poor fit. But Daniel Änghede does have some good vocals on “Great Escape.” The two part title track alone makes this a worthwhile purchase. A solid comeback! Get the deluxe edition because the extended version of “Uncivil War” is gloriously weird.

Label: Season of Mist
Release Date: 15 September 2018

The Pineapple Thief return with their second album with Gavin Harrison called “Dissolution.” While I had high hopes for “Your Wilderness,” it seemed like Harrison was vastly underutilized. That is rectified on the new album which finds Harrison as a full time member of TPT and co-writer (with leader Bruce Soord) on all but two tracks.

THIS is the album that I was expecting the last one to be. Harrison just kicks these songs in the ass and gives TPT an energy they have never had. I have loved them for a long time but this is easily one of their best albums!  Check out tracks like “White Mist” and “Try as I Might.” Highest possible recommendation for sure!

Label: Kscope
Release Date: 31 August 2018

So their you have it. Three great albums that you should all check out if you haven’t already. I will do some “normal” reviews as well in the future but if this format works out I think it helps “fill in the gaps” on albums that I want you folks to know about.