Tag: UFO (Page 1 of 2)

The line up and album that no one remembers. It’s a weird one. Phil Mogg is the only ever present member on the album and I think it’s safe to say this is UFO’s AOR album. The keys are the dominant force here, giving it that AOR sound, although Atomik Tommy M does his best to give proceedings a much needed dose of rock, it’s a losing battle though as the production is very clean sounding.

The songs are all quite commercial with an eye on American radio diluting what made UFO so good. Occasionally they do shake their heads and deliver a somewhat rockin’ tune that befits their name and Meanstreets does its best with Tommy ripping it up on the guitar. Somewhat contradictory though, I go for Name Of Love as my favourite tune as they bring together the crunch with the radio friendly sounds to create a great track.

If you’re an AOR fan then you may get off big time on this album, but I like my UFO with, well more UFO if that makes sense.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

Now, it’s generally recognized that UFO’s Strangers In The Night is one of the best live albums ever released, but their studio albums always fall short of classics. Sure, there are great songs on all their record, but they always throw in a filler track or two.

Lights Out is probably the best of the Schenker albums, because not only are the songs great, but the production from Ron Nevison is top drawer. Too Hot To Handle, Just Another Suicide (with killer Schenker solo), Lights Out, Getting Ready, and Love To Love are all classics. My favourite track is Lights Out, such a killer groove to this song and both Mogg and Schenker are on fire.

This album was their seventh release and it came out in ’77. The band are a lot older than people remember, and they were not a part of NWOBHM as some think.

Great record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

I remember ’78 being the year that rock started to fight back, as the initial surge of punk began to fade and the two chords began to be a bit boring. Van Halen released what arguably is the best rock album ever, Priest released Stained Class, The Scorpions put out Tokyo Tapes, and UFO put out this monster.

This would be the last studio album that Michael Schenker would record with the band until his brief return on the Walk On Water album. I think he obviously knew he was leaving the band as his playing on this album is some of the best he has recorded. Phil Moggs’ contribution to the band often gets overlooked at the expense of the guitarists that have been in the band, but for me he is the glue that holds it all together.

There are some staple live favourites on this album, namely Only You Can Rock Me, which is a great sing along live, Pack It Up And Go, with a killer solo from Schenker, Hot And Ready, and One More For The Rodeo. Back when this album came out they would sell out every tour – they were a great live act. Lots of energy on stage especially from Pete Way and Schenker. Sadly Phil Mogg has decided that’s it for the band and they are no more.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.