Lights Out Summary 'Classic Rock at it's finest - UFO Rocks!!!' Review On the plus side .. UFO was very under-rated during their peak years (mostly due to poor support/publicity from their producers and label) but anyone that ever gave them a chance was happy that they did, This is an awesome album from start to finish - every song! And the remastered versions sound great. (and to think I orignally purchased this on 8-track when it came out!) If I were to have anything even remotely negative (and I use that term loosely) .. while the bonus/live tracks are nice to have/hear, I think they could have been better if UFO had been a little more creative with them for a live concert version as opposed to being very similar to the originals. The members of UFO were so talented that they could have really spiced things up had they mixed it up a little for the crowd - opportunity missed. All in all .. you cannot go wrong with this album!!! | |
Obsession Summary 'Their best' Review This is in my opinion the best UFO record made, if you like these guys you have to have this one in your collection, every song is good | |
| Force It Summary 'Classic hard rock album from UFO.' Review One of the few albums where every single cut is a great song. (This refers to the original album, with 8 cuts.) If UFO wasn't at the pinnacle of their talent with this album, they were very close to it. From the title cut to their cover of Love's "Alone Again Or" to one of my favorites, "Try Me", every cut has great riffs. It's hard to do better than this, so it appears they've worked on improving the relatively short length of the original album (36:47) by adding 4 new live songs. | |
| Phenomenon (2008 Expanded Version) Summary 'ufo,s finest studio album lights out remastered finally!!' Review i still love this album 32 years after it,s release in 1977.the lights out line up was the best they ever had no disrespect to paul chapman,i liked the chapman era albums no place to run,wild willing and the innocent,..and some of mechanix.lights out is an enjoyable diverse collection of songs.my favorites are too hot to handle,electric phase,lights out,gettin ready and love to love!this line up of ufo created 2 more great albums,obsession and the excellent live strangers in the night!!i wish this line up had continued longer than it did.this album is a must for michael schenker fans and ufo fans!!! | |
| No Heavy Petting Summary 'New to UFO, but old to Iron Maiden' Review I'm a sheltered music lover who had no idea about UFO. Of course I've heard Lights Out, but had no idea who UFO actually was. On the recommendation of a couple "band friends" I picked up some of their albums. Being a huge Maiden fan, they said I would dig UFO. Although no other band is Maiden, UFO is rock and roll at it's best. No neeed to listen to these new rock and roll bands, because they just wear make up, nail polish, and high fashion clothes, then put out bummer music. Also seeing the influence from bass player Pete Best to Steve Harris was really amazing. It made me realize that influences are very important, but creating your own style is equally important. Now when I go to Maiden concerts and they prime the crowd with "Doctor, Doctor" I'll know who the hell the band is. | |
| Strangers in the Night (Exp) Summary 'the classic period begins' Review 2008 digitally remastered and expanded edition of the British Hard Rock group's 1977 album featuring four previously unreleased live bonus tracks recorded at the Roundhouse in '76: 'Lights Out', 'Getting Ready', 'Love To Love' and 'Try Me'. Though the album was overlooked in the U.S., it was hugely celebrated by their European and Japanese fanbase and critics alike. 12 tracks including the classic 'Too Hot To Handle'. EMI. | |
| Phenomenon (2008 Expanded Version) Summary 'Phenomenal' Review As far as melodic metal goes ufo was always at the top of the heap from this point until the early 80's at least. Their first 2 discs were interesting but they were psychidelic hard rock and not on this level. However their third 'landed japan' is close to this in greatness ,it's a awesome live disc. But from the moment michael schenker joined this band they were at the head of the pack in talent and skill as far as hard rock and metal were concerned. And they only got better each disc too. This one has alot of great songs like the classics 'rock bottom' and 'doctor doctor' which are as good as anything that came out before our after them metal wise. great driving melodic metal songs that give homage to the blues slightly. The rest of the disc is not as powerful as those songs and with the next release 'force it' they would really become the true masters of melodic metal that came from michaels' guitar ,ways' bass, parkers' drumming, and moggs'sometimes poetic words. This is a great disc that any hard rock fan should have in their collection of course it's where they start as a powerhouse band too. | |
| Force It Summary 'THE ULTIMATE INCARNATION OF MUSIC' Review Sonic boom back in the early 70's...if you haven't heard it, buy it. If you don't own it anymore, buy this version. Laid the groundwork for bands like Guns n Roses, Jet, and others to follow. Adding Michael Schenker to the band with this release made it my favorite of the UFO catalogue. Rock Bottom is a rock solid riff not to be forgotten. | |
| No Heavy Petting Summary 'Another classic UFO bit of Rock and Roll perfection!' Review This is THE best UFO to me because it was the first I heard from them. Rock Bottom, Too Young To Know, Queen of the Deep, and Doctor Doctor are just awesome tracks. I noticed alot of people rank FORCE IT as their best, I say listen to the Lead in Rock Bottom again, you might changed your mind. Also, NO HEAVY PETTING has my 3rd all time favorite track "On with the Action", so FORCE IT comes in 3rd after NO HEAVY PETTING. PHENOMENON, is by far the best to me because of the feeling it gives me. Phil's voice is so good on this, and Way's Bass cuts perfect around Schenker's Guitar. Great songs from a great era. I still listen to the CD all the time. I highly recomend this to lovers of Classic music. Right up there with ZEPPELIN and AEROSMITH. If you like this album, try NO HEAVY PETTING, FORCE IT, OBSESSION and LIGHTS OUT too! The only regret I have is I missed seeing them play back in the day because I couldn't afford the ticket. Though all my friends claimed they were one of the best the ever saw live. | |
| Lights Out Summary 'Doctor Doctor please...' Review How this band faded into obscurity is beyond me. They were as solid and as hard rocking as any band from that early 70s era. It took a long time before their music went to CD and once I saw them i bought all their early works. A friend remarked he, like me, had forgotten just how good they were. And they are damn good! | |
| Obsession Summary 'I'd forgotten how good there guys were!' Review After a stint of success in Germany & Japan with their debut and sophomore space-rock efforts and two guitar player departures UFO were at the crossroads in 1973. During a 6 week Germany tour 2nd guitarist Bernie Mardsen(replacing original Mick Bolton) had added a group of blues covers to the bands set list and on their second album then decided not to join them. Without equpment and a guitar player they borrowed both from opening act the Scorpions who had just released their debut album. Future guitar god Michael Schenker was asked to join and UFO then went on to record their third album which would be carried out with the idea of burying the memory of their first two interesting yet muddled space-rock efforts for the straightforward hard rock brand we know as UFO. With Ten Years After bassist Leo Lyons as producer they did an album that more or less laid the ground for the classic sound. Pieces of melodic hard rock like Too Young To Know and Oh My are the place for great gems here as is the more lightweight albeit highly entertaining Crystal Light and ballad Space Child which show the band might not be ready to totally abandon their psychedelic conceptual tunes. They kick it into the gear though on two tracks that would go on to be classics: Rock Bottom and Doctor Doctor. Although more familar to those on UFO's classic live album these early versions are pretty good despite lacking the firey performances found on the live record.The band come off as quite innocent and naive throughout the album but thats to be expected and its entirely welcomed. The Willie Dixon cover Built For Comfort might be the only oddity here but it's the more wistful and acousic Time On My Hands that really comes across as a hidden gem. The single off the album Lipstick Traces might lack a bit of energy as doe certain spots on Queen Of The Deep but that particular track isnt bogged down too much. So space rock influences here and there, this was still the album that transformed UFO into curiosity/product of their time to masters of a genre. The 2008 remastered edition outdoes all previous ones with the German single Give Her The Gun bw/ Sweet Little Thing which arent bad songs at all and some demos particuarly the one of a song called Sixteen as well as it's finished product that was unreleased. All in all this is a must have for any heavy metal/hard rock collection even if UFO might not find their point right away on what would be dubbed their new offical debut album. | |
| Wild the Willing & The Innocent Summary 'Let It Roll...' Review 2008 digitally remastered and expanded edition of this classic album featuring six bonus tracks. UFO are the hard-edged British Rock band formed by Pete Way, Phil Mogg and Andy Parker joined by guitar great Michael Schenker. 1974's Phenomenon was the band's third release and the first to feature Schenker. It also remains one of their most successful releases to date. Bonus tracks include two demos produced by Dave Edmunds ('Sixteen' and 'Oh My'), two German-only single sides ('Giver Her The Gun' and 'Sweet Little Thing') one unreleased studio track ('Sixteen') and a BBC1 Live recording of 'Doctor Doctor'. EMI. | |
| Force It Summary 'the ultimate hard rock band' Review I was a UFO fan when they were a current band. Like so many others from that era who didn't make it to CD right off I had forgotten just how good they were. This CD also has the uncensored cover which originally was recalled in the US and re-released with the image of the people on the cover changed to a near complete transparency. That aside, this like all the early UFO releases is solid, timeless rock and roll. | |
| Phenomenon (2008 Expanded Version) Summary 'By far, the best remastered version available' Review While the bands third (new offical first) album with the German guitar God Michael Schenker had formed the foundation of their new influential hard rock/heavy metal sound, the memory of their first two pre-Schenker era space rock efforts were still agust. Phil Moog, Schenker, Pete Way, and Andy Parker again entered the studio with producer Leo Lyons to do the follow up and second album. While 1974's Phenomenon only hinted at the hard rock genius, the group sometimes seemed afraid or maybe not sure how to translate their vision but on this album they do just that and bludgeon the listener in the process. The rip roaring opener Let It Roll serves as a sequel to Budgie's epic Breadfan with the double bass drum speed that would go in to influence countless 80's thrash metal bands. Next on the roster is the fun and melodic sing along Shoot Shoot, another key moment. Love Lost Love while not as oft-mentioned is not by any stretch a bad song and is much a companion to Shoot Shoot with its catchy themes. The album takes a small dip in momentum with High Flyer , the bands last ounce of desire to create hazy psychedelic rock. Out In The Street returns things to form somewhat albeit with a more mellow approach. The next step to the bands evolution would come here with keyboards. They dont overtake the band by any means. Played in the studio by Ten Years After key man Chick Churchill, and later by new member Danny Peyronel.The albums masterpeices lay in the nasty Mother Mary and This Kids, some of UFO's best work. The hidden gem here being Dance Your Life Away, a rarely mentioned rocker packed with grooves. Although current metal bands do away with such influences I believe it was this era of metal and along with some of the 80's legends like AC/DC, Motorhead, Maiden, Priest that although were bound in guitar heavy composition do pay respect to UFO and other less forunate 70's masters of heavy riffs. The 2008 remastered edition packs unbeatable sound and lavishing packaging. Though only one of it's bonus tracks is worthy that being the unreleased song A Million Miles. The others are live tracks of the albums highlights that would be much outdone by the live album mammoth of Strangers In The Night, and even that point aside the arrangements between the two are without change. This doesnt subtract anything from this great new package from a band that is long overdue such a treatment. A "proto metal" classic. | |
| No Heavy Petting Summary 'Great Remaster, But If You Already Own The BGO Version...' Review Remastering the UFO catalog has been long overdue. Pick up all of the re-issues. All the albums are great and sound better than ever. UFO's style of hard rock is completely extinct these days. If you're new to the band and can only afford one, pick up the incredible live album Strangers In the Night. For everyone else, this album is mandatory. Check out Mighty High...In Drug City. | |
| Lights Out Summary 'I think it's pretty good' Review UFO is undeniably one of the best rock bands ever. Their well deserved top status is out of the question. Instead, this review is focused on the remastered quality of this CD, which is impeccable! In my opinion, this is miles better than the BGO version and other Japanese re-issues. You can play this CD loud and the bass' response is deep without distortions. Treble sounds are crisp and bright. Add that to the amazing extra songs and we get a treat I never expected would be possible. I cannot praise enough the excellent work that EMI / Chrysalis did. Thank you, justice is finally made! | |
| Obsession Summary 'Still the Best Live Album 30 yrs On.' Review Yes, the sound here is "Way" better than the previous released domestic versions; but I personally prefer the sound of the BGO remastered version to this one. The BGO release packs more of a punch with Schenker's guitar and Way's bass right up in your face. This release is a bit more "listener" friendly with Mogg's voice and the more treble laden sounds coming through more prominently. What may make this attractive for the diehard fan is the bonus tracks. Michael live is Michael live, 'nuff said. Plus, the price is so much more reasonable than the long out-of-print BGO version (what's another $15 bucks?). So if you own the BGO version, you may be a bit disappointed in the overall sound, but pleased with the bonus material. For a newcomer to the band, add this to cart ASAP. This album rocks and features one of the best guitar players on the planet. Oh, and while your at it, add "Phenomenon" & "No Heavy Petting" to your cart too (what's another $30 bucks?)!! | |
| Wild the Willing & The Innocent Summary 'Outstanding!' Review 2008 digitally remastered and expanded edition of this classic album featuring six bonus tracks. UFO are the hard-edged British Rock band formed by Pete Way, Phil Mogg and Andy Parker joined by guitar great Michael Schenker. 1975's Force It was the band's fourth release and moved them towards a harder rockin' direction. Bonus tracks include: 'A Million Miles' (Previously unreleased studio track) and live versions of 'Mother Mary', 'Out In The Streets', 'Shoot Shoot', 'Let It Roll' and 'This Kid's (including 'Between The Walls'). EMI. | |
| Strangers in the Night (Exp) Summary 'WUNDER AXE GRINDZEND FEST' Review If you don't like SITN, you must have some malady or deficiency. Basically you're just wrong.......... Greatest hard rock ever recorded under any circumstances. I suspect my point has been made. | |
| Lights Out Summary 'only ufo cd you need' Review There is nothing I can say that hasn't been said already, this is the finest live rock album ever. | |