Sweet Freedom - URIAH HEEP****

Dreamer/Stealin/One Day/Sweet Freedom/If I Had Time/Seven Stars/Circus/Pilgrim

Sweet Freedom was another strong album from the British progressive band Uriah Heep who bizarrely never found favour with the critics. Contrary to some of the comments below their classic period would continue for another couple of years. (US:33 UK:18)

“Sweet Freedom easily ranks as one of the better early Heep albums. A few rockers, a couple leaning on the epic side and somewhat less prog make this one a winner.”

“A great progressive rock record. It has always been one of my all time favourites and it is quite underrated compared to their other work. Stealin' is the hit off this album, but to me every song works.”

“Here we have a mix of what Uriah Heep were known for: hard rock and art rock with massive wall of keys and high-pitched chorus. Sometimes it sounds beautiful, sometimes a bit cheesy. My personal favourite is the gentle acoustic ballad Circus.”

“Sweet Freedom was the near end of classic Uriah Heep. Though they'd go on producing solid albums the magic would gradually disappear. Still there are some amazing songs here, including their greatest song, the stunning epic Stealin’, and also the gorgeous Seven Stars. Overall this is a solid album, but a transition between when Uriah Heep were a legend and when they became just another band.”

“Sweet Freedom is another classic from the golden period of Uriah Heep, with a mix of epic songs, traditional 70s rock and ballads. What distinguishes this record is one song that is one of the best I ever heard, Circus. I never tire listening to this gorgeous, brilliantly written song.”

“A very strong Heep album with a mature sound. Stealin’ is one of their biggest trade mark songs in a progressive sense with brilliant vocals by Byron as usual. The weakest track is definitely Seven Stars with that alphabet-citing chorus. Every Heep record must own a track, usually at the end of the record, that over blows all the other songs. Here it is Pilgrim, a real progressive epic with a very strong leading theme, a fantasy classic.”

“Byron's powerful vocals and Hensley's Hammond organ accent tracks driven by the strong six string work of the stocky Box, and the locked-in backing rhythm section. The seven-minute Pilgrim stands as a career defining song.