Look at Yourself (Uriah Heep album): Difference between revisions

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	==Facts==		==Facts==
	For a band to avoid considerable mainstream success for almost 40 years in the US and UK, yet remain one of the most successful progressive rock bands of all time, makes the mind boggle. Uriah Heep is that band. Though they are still featured on just about every classic rock compilation CD in the world, Heep have barely been in the public eye since the 70s, when singles such as "]". "]" and "]" scored massive hits yet failed to secure the band a place at the top. Perhaps it was the unfortunate timing that the band was releasing such singles; as the seminal band Deep Purple were also playing a similar, yet more accessible style of music at the same time. In any case, 1971 saw Heep release a gem of an album, often considered as their best and a forerunner for the progressive metal genre.		For a band to avoid considerable mainstream success for almost 40 years in the US and UK, yet remain one of the most successful progressive rock bands of all time, makes the mind boggle. Uriah Heep is that band. Though they are still featured on just about every classic rock compilation CD in the world, Heep have barely been in the public eye since the 70s, when singles such as "]". "]" and "]" scored massive hits yet failed to secure the band a place at the top. Perhaps it was the unfortunate timing that the band was releasing such singles; as the seminal band Deep Purple were also playing a similar, yet more accessible style of music at the same time. In any case, 1971 saw Heep release a gem of an album, often considered as their best and a forerunner for the progressive metal genre.

	Heep’s vocalist at the time, and easily their most respected, was David Byron; a vocalist who would remain insanely underrated until his untimely death in 1985. Often compared to ] (the members of Heep often were compared to their ] counterparts due to their similar music style), July Morning is often seen as his finest moment, showcasing an outstanding vocal range from quiet, relatively low singing to high pitch over the top wails and screams. His vocals shine throughout the album, with his astonishing range and sense of dynamics the focal point of his ability. Songs such as "I Wanna Be Free"<ref>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NSLG5Q/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk2</ref> even show ] singing in a ]-esque style, albeit with a much larger range.<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Look-at-Yourself-Uriah-Heep/dp/B000001F4O</ref>		Heep’s vocalist at the time, and easily their most respected, was David Byron; a vocalist who would remain insanely underrated until his untimely death in 1985. Often compared to ] (the members of Heep often were compared to their ] counterparts due to their similar music style), July Morning is often seen as his finest moment, showcasing an outstanding vocal range from quiet, relatively low singing to high pitch over the top wails and screams. His vocals shine throughout the album, with his astonishing range and sense of dynamics the focal point of his ability. Songs such as "I Wanna Be Free"<ref>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NSLG5Q/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk2</ref> even show ] singing in a ]-esque style, albeit with a much larger range.<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Look-at-Yourself-Uriah-Heep/dp/B000001F4O</ref>

Revision as of 12:24, 3 October 2012

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Allmusic

Look at Yourself is the third album released by British rock band Uriah Heep.

It is Uriah Heep's most straight ahead "hard rock" album, with one notable foray into progressive territory on "July Morning". The album has come to be viewed as a highpoint in the band's career, and is today regarded by many fans and critics as Uriah Heep's finest album, contended by Demons and Wizards, released the following year. The title track and "July Morning" were released as singles in North America in 1971 and 1973, respectively.

The original cover art (not pictured opposite) on the LP came in a single sleeve with a die-cut opening on the front through which a reflective foil 'mirror' was seen. This relates the cover art directly to the album title. The idea was that of guitarist Mick Box. Not being a perfect reflecting surface, one sees a distorted image of oneself. Indeed, this theme is carried on with the band photos on the rear of the LP sleeve, which have also been distorted.

The LP itself was housed in a heavy-duty card inner, complete with lyrics.

The song "July Morning" has become the inspiration for a Bulgarian Hippie tradition, known eponymously as July Morning.

Facts

For a band to avoid considerable mainstream success for almost 40 years in the US and UK, yet remain one of the most successful progressive rock bands of all time, makes the mind boggle. Uriah Heep is that band. Though they are still featured on just about every classic rock compilation CD in the world, Heep have barely been in the public eye since the 70s, when singles such as "The Wizard". "Stealin'" and "Easy Livin'" scored massive hits yet failed to secure the band a place at the top. Perhaps it was the unfortunate timing that the band was releasing such singles; as the seminal band Deep Purple were also playing a similar, yet more accessible style of music at the same time. In any case, 1971 saw Heep release a gem of an album, often considered as their best and a forerunner for the progressive metal genre.

Heep’s vocalist at the time, and easily their most respected, was David Byron; a vocalist who would remain insanely underrated until his untimely death in 1985. Often compared to Ian Gillan (the members of Heep often were compared to their Deep Purple counterparts due to their similar music style), July Morning is often seen as his finest moment, showcasing an outstanding vocal range from quiet, relatively low singing to high pitch over the top wails and screams. His vocals shine throughout the album, with his astonishing range and sense of dynamics the focal point of his ability. Songs such as "I Wanna Be Free" even show David Byron singing in a David Bowie-esque style, albeit with a much larger range.

Mick Box is sometimes seen as the front man of Uriah Heep, despite being the guitarist. He remains the only founding member of the group today and is without doubt one of the most naturally gifted guitarists never to achieve global success. His impeccable guitar fills and solos are not only mind blowing, but also perfectly placed in each song, and his acoustic guitar playing, though rare on this album, is beautiful.

The keyboardist of the band at the time was Ken Hensley. Hensley’s talents, however, were not just limited to the keys. He also played organ and guitars, as well as singing lead vocals on the album’s title track. Hensley’s skill was undisputed on all his instruments, and his vocals were also rather impressive, though no match to Byron, of course. What is perhaps more impressive, however, is that Hensley wrote, or at least co-wrote, every song on the album. (and how many people can say that they written a song that influenced a Bulgarian tradition, namely July Morning?...)

The rhythm section for the album was comprised of Paul Newton on bass guitar and Ian Clarke on drums. Though Look At Yourself would be the only album both men featured on together, with Clarke leaving early the following year, the two showcase a great partnership, similar to that of Scott Rockenfield and Eddie Jackson of Queensryche. There are many examples on the album of Clarke following Newton’s galloping bass lines, an idea that undoubtedly influenced such bands as Iron Maiden. This strong collaboration sets a firm backbone for the album.

In all this album is certainly a landmark album of the 70’s (though that could be said for any of Heep’s first four studio albums). Look At Yourself certainly influenced progressive and experimental music for the future (yes, I know both of those terms are frowned upon here, so what, bite me) and set the standard for non-mainstream, uncommercialised rock and metal for the remainder of the 70’s. And for a band to still be playing in stadium sized venues across Central Europe in their late 50’s, they must have done something right, right?

Track listing

All songs written by Ken Hensley, except where noted.

Side 1

"Look at Yourself" – 5:09
"I Wanna Be Free" – 4:00
"July Morning" (David Byron, Hensley) – 10:32

Side 2

"Tears in My Eyes" – 5:01
"Shadows of Grief" (Byron, Hensley) – 8:39
"What Should Be Done" – 4:15
"Love Machine" (Mick Box, Byron, Hensley) – 3:37

Look at Yourself was remastered and reissued in 1996 with two bonus tracks:

"Look At Yourself (Single Edit)" – 3:07
"What's Within My Heart (Out-take)" – 5:23
- An out-take from the Look at Yourself sessions. First released in 1993 on The Lansdowne Tapes.

An expanded De-Luxe CD was released in 2003 with seven bonus tracks:

"What's Within My Heart (Out-take)" – 5:23
"Why (Early Version)" (Box, Byron) – 11:18
"Look at Yourself (Single Edit)" – 03:19
"Tears in My Eyes (Extended Mix)" – 05:38
"What Should Be Done (Alternate Version)" – 04:26
"Look at Yourself (Live at the BBC)" - 04:32
"What Should Be Done (Live at the BBC)" – 03:26

Personnel

Mick Box – lead guitar, acoustic guitar
David Byron - lead vocals
Ken Hensley – organ, piano, guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Paul Newton – bass guitar
Ian Clarke – drums

Additional personnel

Manfred Mann - synthesizer (on "July Morning")
Ted, Mac and Loughty of Osibisa - percussion (on "Look At Yourself")

Covers

Gamma Ray covered "Look at Yourself" in their Heading for Tomorrow album.
GrimSkunk covered "Look at Yourself" in their Grim Skunk album.

References

v t e Uriah Heep
Mick Box Phil Lanzon Bernie Shaw Russell Gilbrook Dave Rimmer Ken Hensley David Byron Paul Newton Alex Napier Nigel Olsson Keith Baker Ian Clarke Lee Kerslake Mark Clarke Gary Thain John Wetton Trevor Bolder John Lawton Chris Slade John Sloman Gregg Dechert John Sinclair Peter Goalby Bob Daisley Steff Fontaine
Studio albums	...Very 'Eavy ...Very 'Umble Salisbury Look at Yourself Demons and Wizards The Magician's Birthday Sweet Freedom Wonderworld Return to Fantasy High and Mighty Firefly Innocent Victim Fallen Angel Conquest Abominog Head First Equator Raging Silence Different World Sea of Light Sonic Origami Wake the Sleeper Into the Wild Outsider Living the Dream Chaos & Colour
Live albums	Uriah Heep Live Live in Europe 1979 Live at Shepperton '74 Acoustically Driven Live in Armenia
Compilations	The Best of Uriah Heep The Lansdowne Tapes The Ultimate Collection Easy Livin': Singles A's & B's Loud, Proud & Heavy: The Best of Uriah Heep Celebration – Forty Years of Rock Totally Driven
Singles	"Gypsy" "Lady in Black" "Look at Yourself" "The Wizard" "Easy Livin'" "Sweet Lorraine" "Blind Eye" "July Morning" "Stealin'" "Something or Nothing" "Prima Donna" "Return to Fantasy" "One Way or Another" "Wise Man" "Sympathy"
Other songs	"Bird of Prey" "Sunrise"
Related articles	Discography Members The Gods Spice Toe Fat Colin Wood

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