Uriah Heep Return To Fantasy CD

 "Return To Fantasy" - Uriah Heep's "In Rock"
"Return to Fantasy" may be called the last UH's album which has all its classical components: powerful organ/guitar arrangements, eleborate vocal harmonies, strong lyrics and meaningful songs. It was recognized at the time of its release in Nov. 1975 by being the best selling UH's album in the United Kingdom. The Capitol in the USA released the "Return to Fantasy" at the same time. A highly successful world-wide tour followed. There are no weak tracks: a group effort produced most of the songs: the title track by (Hensley/Byron) and the next three ("Shady Lady", "Devil's Daughter" and "Beautiful Dream") are written in the same spirit showcasing the band with all its attributes: heavy organ and Moog, Box's wah-wah guitar, strong rhythm section. There is also the seminal "Showdown" that was utilized in the next records. "Why Did You Go" is a beautiful ballad of all times - I have not grown tired of listening to it for decades literally! The last track, "A Year Or A Day" is one of my favourites as well. Listen to the lyrics: there is something phylosophical, theological and prophetic! Bonus tracks present some outtakes (that would honor many rock bands!) along with some early version of the songs from the album. Again, enchanting lyrics and sheer energy of UH: "Time Will Come", etc. Andre Sokolnikov
Submitted by asokolni (South Bend, IN) 
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 Some Hits, Some Misses
This album is far from bad, but it falls short of the standards HEEP established on their earlier albums. The musicianship and production are superb, but nearly half the songs have to be considered "filler" material, even by HEEP loyalists like me. On the other hand, the title track is a mega-classic that no HEEP collection is complete without. This latest reissue also contains some interesting bonus tracks, too.
Submitted by HeepCreep (Tacoma, USA) 
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 Return To Fatasy is the most mature UH's album to me
Yeah, I loved that album straight away in 1975 when I was just an 8 years old boy! I've grown-up to a very complicated music lover but that album still stands the time to me. John Wetton is great on that on, right after King Crimson job. Nik Oakman.
Submitted by oakman (Kiev, Ukraine)
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 Losing The Magic
As much as I want to love this album, I don't. It arrived on the heels of the foreboding brilliance of "Wonderworld" and I simply don't think it measures up. The songs are good, to be sure, but they lack that special spark Heep infuses into it's best work. The 2 songs Heep left off the original LP, "Time Has Come" & "Shout It Out" are, in my opinion far better songs than any that made the album. If those songs had been included originally back in 1975 with "Devil's Daughter", "Return To Fantasy" and "Shady Lady" a much more promising LP would have ensued. Thankfully, they are included here in this remaster. Tracks like "Prima Donna" are fine but they just don't contain the spectral and enchanted overtones of their predecessors on "Magician's Birthday", "Demons & Wizards" and the like. 3 Stars: not bad for a band coming off of several 5 star albums.
Submitted by Keith (NJ, USA)
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 classic album
A superb album by Uriah Heep. Every song is a masterpiece by itself. The bonus tracks are an excellent addition to the initial contents of the album. A recent live CD "Electrically driven Uriah Heep" has a powerful rendition of the title track "Return To Fantasy". Highly recommended.
Submitted by asokolni (South Bend, IN)
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