The band's forth album and the first with a softer, less experimental musical direction. At the same time it was the beginning of a new formula containing themes and lyrics about magic and the supernatural that would haunt their issues the following years. After "Look At Yourself" drummer Ian Clarke quit and was replaced by Kensley's old bandmate from Gods and Toe Fat - Lee Kerslake. Also bassist Paul Newton had left, first substituted by former Colosseum member Mark Clarke, who only stayed to record two of the tracks before moving on to Tempest. Gary Thain was then recruited from Keef Hartley Band to complete the task and stayed as a permanent member till he was fired just before his death 1975. This proved to be a very successful setting keeping the group high on lists all over the world for the next three years. To me singer David Byron was a big part of their sound and I stopped listening after he was thrown out 1976. IMO this is the best they made from 1972 up till then. Memorable songs, perfectly performed with enough twists and turns to make it last. My favorite moments are the antiphony between Hensley and Byron in "Paradise", the heavy organ in "Rainbow Demon" and the happy-go-lucky "Easy Living". Issued and re-issued all over the world on vinyl and CD through the years. First US on Mercury (SRM 1 630). Premiere UK had "i" logo label as shown here and matt fold/out cover with lyric inner. (ÖRHÄ*)(PRÖZ*)
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