By 85, our crowd had dispersed a bit. Therefore LP buying became more selective, and I didn’t immediately buy Misdemeanor. Then watching The Tube (UK live music series), UFO were introduced. Of course I knew they had regrouped, but I read somewhere it was to be more of a Phil Mogg project with different players, until Chrysalis wanted to release it as UFO. Sounds familiar, yes? Mogg and co mixing it up live and doing a very good job, definitely disturbed the alt/plastic music gang. They played This Time and Night Run IIRC, and caught my ear enough for me to buy the album; it became a favourite for a while. This is not however, the beloved UFO of old, nor is it the tired band of Making Contact days. I prefer to think of it as a reboot, a sort of parallel to classic Yes vs. 90125.
This Time… A great opener and immediately sets the blueprint for the LP. Yes, Tommy M’s guitar is way too trebly, but I got used to it then, and same now. Perhaps a bit too widdly for UFO, but imagine if Malmsteen had joined. Keyboards very up front but it’s good have Raymond back, even if this isn’t quite his sound. Paul Gray does a great job as co-writer on this album and Mogg has stamped his unique identity everywhere.
One Heart… Heavier than NR. The drums are also typical 80s, but the song is good enough.
Night Run… 80s swirly keyboards but I love this song. It was one of the highlights for me 30+ years ago, and still is, maybe thanks to the harmony vocals in the chorus.
The Only Ones… Vintage Mogg vocals, with a slower tempo. Even Gray’s bass is a bit trebly, but fitting. Someone mentioned Power Windows era Rush? A memorable chorus. I like this tune.
Meanstreets… The heaviest so far, and first to truly feature Tommy M’s guitar; a nod back to days gone by, with a bit of EVH influence. Great tune.
Name of Love… More guitar again (Lifeson sounding first solo) but a little less ballsy (if the production allows on this album). Another good tune.
Blue… Another good song.
Dream the Dream… Slower tempo, with some good bass. Not a favourite though and could have been any AOR band from this era, especially with the now annoying snare.
Heavens Gate… Heavier intro gives way to This Time style keyboards, but it’s still better than the last song. Another widdly guitar solo is starting to leave me a little tired.
Wreckless… Bluesy intro gives way to a standard mid tempo rocker. However this song is average. Tommy tries to impersonate Yngwie for a while; shame he’s not more tuneful.
I was little surprised at the Rush stylings this time, as I never noticed them when I got the album. Many times the only link to what we know as UFO is Mogg’s voice. I still like this album and perhaps because of the production, feels like a breath of fresh air. Certainly this time, they’re playing with conviction. However this is not really UFO. It’s a product of its time, like MC, although that album sounded a bit more like UFO. Now it’s back on my radar though, I’m likely to play again. But it’s no classic.
Topic: The UFO Discography And Listening Party Thread (Read 147932 times)
