This album was a problem for the band at the time, as it was the first album since the departure of Michael Schenker. He was replaced by ex-Lone Star guitarist, Paul ‘Tonka’ Chapman. There was also an addition of Paul Raymond on keys and guitar. A lot of fans did not like this Schenker-less record, as he was a hero to a lot of them, but if truth be told, the songs were a lot stronger without him in the long run. UFO recorded 22 full length studio albums (not including Live albums) before they called it a day, and that’s not a bad run for a rock band.
Lettin’ Go is a great opening tune and I would say is a typical sounding UFO track – with some nice playing by Tonka. The old blues standard, Mystery Train, follows and is given the full treatment. It again shows that Tonka is more than capable of replacing the crazy German. This is one of the best sounding UFO albums, and I think it’s no coincidence that this album was produced by George Martin. It’s also a UFO tradition to put in a track that is there to just fill space, and here that falls to This Fire Burns Tonight.
Young Blood was the single that was released before the album, and it didn’t do a whole bunch, apart from announcing that there was a new album about to drop. I actually liked it, as to me, this is the real UFO. This is definitely a more mature sound for the band, and I guess that’s what George Martin was trying to do as the track, No Place To Run, feels as though the band are expanding their sound. Money Money is my favourite track on the record as I love the lyrics and the gallop of the tune.
I think the cover photo is hilarious here, as a very cheap attempt to disguise the fact that they are standing in an Esso garage has been made by placing electrical tape covering the logo.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
