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Uriah Heep, after rather underrated works like "Equator," "Head First," and the good "Raging In Silence," rolled up their sleeves in 1991 and released "Different World." The lineup consisted of veterans Mick Box on guitar and Lee Kerslake on drums, Phil Lanzon on keyboards, Trevor Bolder on bass, and Bernie Shaw on vocals. As you can see, unfortunately missing are the great singer David Byron and Gary Thain on bass, both of whom passed away, and the keyboardist/guitarist Ken Hensley, who left the band in the Eighties. Despite this, the Uriah Heep of "Different World" are still truly in form and manage to deliver plenty of emotions like in the unforgettable masterpieces of the Seventies.
The band's style has somewhat modernized, adapting to the emergence of new genres like glam and AOR metal, which were really taking the world by storm at the time. In fact, the group veers towards glam sounds, as they did in "Abominog," and frequently nods to the AOR of Journey and Def Leppard in the beautiful "All For One" and "All God's Children." This album, however, achieved moderate success, certainly not reaching the fame of "The Magician's Birthday," also because it was somewhat underrated by the band itself and the fans.
"Different World" kicks off with a bang, that is, with the energetic "Blood On Stone," opened by a powerful riff and good keyboard, which then make way for the charismatic voice of Shaw. This song manages to deliver adrenaline and energy from the very first notes, thanks to the group's passion and skill, crafting a metal piece with a catchy and airy refrain. After "Blood On Stone," we are faced with "Which Way Will The Wind Blow," which with its funky bass and playful rhythm reminds me a lot of late-eighties Aerosmith. In fact, the track is a succession of emotions, with Bernie's voice excellently supported by the choruses and a typically AOR-stamped refrain.
"All God's Children" has a truly persuasive atmosphere, with the vocalist's moving and particularly communicative voice, supported by the beautiful keyboard, making the piece very enjoyable. The chorus, in my humble opinion, is spine-chilling! The fourth track is the melodic and engaging "All For One," rich in pathos and irresistible AOR sounds, perhaps one of the album's peaks. Singer Bernie Shaw seems to make us not miss the unforgettable Byron, giving us endless emotions that explode in the beautiful refrain. Sublime. The title track, often proposed live, is another excellent track, which keeps the CD at incredibly high levels. A ballad that brings to mind even certain Queen songs, that is, a pleasant song that seems to almost caress the listener with its disarming beauty.
Nevertheless, Uriah Heep demonstrates they still have the hard rock charge of "Easy Livin'" and "Look At Yourself" with "Step By Step," which seems to anticipate the glories of Velvet Revolver's "Contraband." The riff and Shaw's powerful voice churn out a tough and damn rock'n'roll piece, with Mick Box unleashing his beautiful solos. "Seven Days" smells a lot like American hard rock, characterized by a decidedly blues rhythm that, however, rediscovers melody in the refrain. "One By One" returns to high levels, where the hard rock power and AOR melody combine in a magical way, thanks also to the great catchy refrain. A separate comment is deserved by Box's melancholic and moving solos, which add a touch more pathos that doesn't hurt, on the contrary. The last piece of the CD is the ballad "Cross That Line," which, alongside "Come Back To Me" and "Weep In Silence," can be considered one of Uriah Heep's most beautiful ballads. But the band gives us four bonus tracks that further enrich and beautify the album, namely the Van Halen-esque "Stand Back," the formidable "Blood Red Roses," "Hold Your Head Up," and the live version of "Rockarama."
I'M LIVING IN A DIFFERENT WORLD
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Blood on Stone (04:38)
His blood's on stone
It's running down the frozen wall
His hand's so cold
He's trying not to fall
Oh, will he make it now
One slip and he's lost
It's his last chance for freedom
It's all that he's got
He feels good, so right
Hot sweat on a cold night
Breaking free into the wind
He's got nothing to lose, just win
He's just a runaway
He's free now and on his way
He's almost home
Just one push and
He'll take this wall
It's blood on stone
From trying not to fall
He's made it now
Where others have not
Just one last jump to freedom
Is all that he's got
03 All God's Children (04:19)
Crazy little whirlwind child
Pretty babies drive ya wild
Look like one, act like another
Every night a different lover
Get affection where you can
Try a boy then try a man
First time love is in the past
Make it young and make it fast
All god's children will have their say
All god's children
Must have their way
It's a game where you can cheat
Lovers falling at your feet
High on sensuality
A photograph for all to see
First time love is in the past
Make it young and make it fast
They can never get enough
Strong as death and sweet as love
They walk and talk like angels
They walk and talk like angels ...
06 Step by Step (04:06)
It's alright, it's not wrong
To sometimes feel
You're just hanging on
On those days when
Your feelings are low
Don't hold back
Just let those feelings show
If you want my time and devotion
You've got to give me
Some of your emotion
It's not too much, too much to ask
If you want this love to last
Born with open eyes
But you're blinded by confusion
Born with strength
Let's do it step by step
Into tomorrow
We can make it if we try
Just talk to me, walk with me
There's no reason why
Let's do it step by step
Into tomorrow with our open eyes
So come on talk to me
Just walk with me
You can do it if you try
One step, one step at a time
One heart beatin' with mine
Nothing gained, nothing ventured
Nothing won, no risk, no loss
In this world of indecisions
There's a bridge we all must cross
Born with open eyes
But you're blinded by confusion
Born with strength
10 Cross That Line (05:35)
What do you say
To a talk over dinner
Though we haven't
Spoken for a while
This time I won't take no
For an answer
You can't hide forever
From your only son
Let's take a seat
Right here by the window
I remember how you like the view
Now look me in the eye
The truth I wanna hear
The time is right
There's a shadow hanging
Over me tonight
Tell me what you did now
Even though it hurts to say
It's always been a mystery
Locked behind the door
Tell me is it true now
Do you need the heart to say it
I always did my best for you
Don't you lie
Don't you lie no more
You tought me the way
To be a winner
And never to play
On the losing side
I guess that I turned out
The way you always planned
So hard to cross that line
But the words have got to come
From you this time
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