So a couple of reasons why I gravitate to NHP.
First, it's my favorite Schenker performance. Sure he's great on all of these classic albums, and he rips it up big time on Obsession, but for me, what he does on this album is truly mesmerizing.
And second, and maybe more important, it's my favorite Mogg performance. I love his voice on this. He's growing into his voice, and it really resonates with me. His lyrics, as always are amazing.
On With The Action:
"But the minister's starin'
With his Bible in his hand
Was this god's children, he didn't understand"
From Belladonna:
"The open letter just carelessly placed
And you move in silence, the tea so delicately laced"
Martian Landscape"
"So let it be a small haven big in Your heart
Don't let it turn into an nova
Tryin' to climb and climb"
Look, I love Paul Raymond. But Danny's keyboards on Martian Landscape are breathtaking.
Another thing I love about this album, and Lyons's production as a whole, is that he does not hide the bass at all. At times, like in Belladonna, the bass is playing above the background of Shenker, providing the main rhythm.
Kade, you're dead on with the Over And Over analogy with On With The Action. That Schenker riff is downright sinister.
And at 3:34 of Martian Landscape, Schenker comes in with this wicked guitar part, and then majestically carries the song out from there. Amazing.
For Lights Out, Ron Nevison would have a production budget well north of what Leo Lyons had for THREE albums.