Tag: UFO band

This is the band’s 11th studio album which was released back in ’82. It’s also the third one after the departure of Schenker, and it’s the one UFO diehards hate the most. Maybe it’s the use of keyboards? Or a cheesy cover of the rock n roll standard, Something Else? Or the distinct lack of hard rockin’ tunes?

There are only four tunes that give it the beans, and that’s opener The Writer (which is classic UFO), Side 2 opener We Belong Go The Night (which is the best song on the album with a great riff and groove), Side 1 closer Doing It All For You (which has a very Bad Company vibe with a really nice solo), and the final track, Dreaming. The rest is a bit lacklustre if I’m honest – even touching on country with Back Into My Life. The single, Let It Rain, is not a bad  tune – I think it charted at the time.

It’s not the best UFO album, but it’s not the worst either. A mid table effort.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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.

For those of you familiar with UFO’s live album Strangers In The Night, you will be familiar with some of this recording. Strangers was captured over five nights and cobbled together to make the classic album we all know and love. This album is one of those nights in its entirety and in the correct running order. One thing you notice is that this album is a lot more raw and in your face, begging the question how many overdubs were layered onto Strangers? That doesn’t bother me that much if I’m honest, as I like this album a lot. Mr. Schenker is on fire, and it’s cool to hear this version of the band again after all these years playing their asses off. Plus, you get to hear tracks not on the original release namely, Pack It Up (And Go), Cherry, and On With The Action.

UFO were one of the best live acts around and this album is a great testament to a once great band. There are not many tracks that I don’t like by this band and all this album is killer. My favourites are Let It Roll, Natural Thing, Lights Out and the usual sing-a-longs Doctor Doctor, and Shoot Shoot. If you want a lesson in how to do hard rock, then buy yourself this (or Strangers) – you won’t regret it. It’s worth it just to hear how good Michael Schenker was around this time.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.