9. Blinded By A Lie (Making Contact)
Loved this one right away. I LOVED the 80's vibe right away and being slightly let down from the albums before it, this was much more like it. Again, Neil Carter's keyboards in that intro part are just so moody and perfect. The verse is pretty comical and pure 80's but that chorus is so damn catchy. I love the second time around that Chapman mimics Neil's keyboard line in there, really really nice touch.
I can see UFO purists hating this at the time and fair enough but I really enjoy this album and song. I think this tune is just very well written. The solo section kicks things up a notch. It's nice to hear something really heavy and a nice gallop. Great tone from Chapman and his solo almost floats over the backing there in places, especially at the start. Epic key change which is most welcome and builds the heavy vibe even more. You sense that chorus coming back in and it doesn't disappoint. Just a really damn catchy tune. Phil doesn't do much here but he doesn't need to, it's a great band song, everyone adds their part. Great kick off to the album also.
8. Unraveled (Covenant)
This one crept up on me a little but grew like an absolute monster. Wasn't impressed with Covenant at first but this song also pricked my ears. That opinion has changed and this song has stormed into the top 10. Obsession like riffing at the start, almost Natural Thing like. Great groove here too. I love the verses and Dunbar's drum work is excellent. The change into the chorus is beautiful and it's so simple and melodic. I love the backups, it works really well. What I especially love is the backing keeps saying 'unraveled,' even on the second time around where Phil says 'unstable.' That's a nice touch. The up in tempo is too good also.
Phil sounds quite tough and strong on this one, he sings it with a lot of conviction. Schenker's solo is most welcome too and he rips. Nothing fancy or long but he's really in sync here. I fucking love that lick at 3:15, and that bend at 3:18 is absolutely incredible. Subtle but melodic. His outro soloing is fucking nuts too. I wish it didn't fade out so quick. Just an absolute stormer of a song, love it. Underrated.
7. You and Me (Making Contact)
I mentioned how much I liked this one when we got to this album and that sentiment hasn't changed. This is one amazing track to me. Something about it is so haunting but calming at the same time. I love the lyrics, and Phil portrays a desperate, broken man pleading to his love to have faith. This time the music seems to showcase the depressive, melancholic subject matter. The verses seem to represent hope but the chorus seems to be unsure, there's hope but the realization that hope is fading and almost gone.
The middle section is almost like that door on the story is closing shut or thereabouts. Neil Carter on this track is incredible. His E/D/C arpeggios at 1:55 are just amazing and Chapman fucking cries here. His solo is the dude crying like his woman is giving up on him, It's fucking awesome. That note that he bends at 2:18 well before the start of the bar gives that desperation from the protagonist. The song finishes awkwardly like it could have gone either way. I just love this song, Phil is incredible here. I know not many will agree but something about this song just touches me.
30. The Writer
29. Long Gone
28. Wonderland
27. Diesel in the Dust
26. I'm A Loser
25. Hunger in the Night
24. Darker Days
23. Can't Buy A Thrill
22. Meanstreets
21. This Kids/Between the Walls
20. Cherry
19. Born to Lose
18. Stop Breaking Down
17. A Self Made Man
16. Profession of Violence
15. One More For the Rodeo
14. Serenity
13. Too Much of Nothing
12. Love to Love
11. Natural Thing
10. Only You Can Rock Me
9. Blinded By A Lie
8. Unraveled
7. You and Me