Apparently my opinion became a little reverse to TAC's about the next 2 albums ...
I must say Monkey Puzzle was a nice surprise in this listening party! In this case, a “re-listening” party.
UFO here really began to be a much more blues rock band, which frustrated me a bit... maybe this is the reason I liked less this album at the time of release.
That said, now I think this album is better than You Are Here. I think both albums have a very good and solid 45 minutes, but, for Monkey... is in fact all the album.
There’s a lot to appreciate here: Moore’s guitar work and tone are great, indeed Paul Raymond’s keyboards reappeared big time in the arrangements and the flow of the album is excellent. There’s really good ballads, like Who’s Fooling Who and Drink Too Much (this one is really excellent); it begins not so strong with Hard Being Me, but Heavenly Body and Some Other Guy are really cool and the album continues in a very good level, finishing with a very satisfying track, that remindes a lot the Schenker’s era in the chorus, Kingstom Town.
Surprising me, this album cracked the 7.5 barrier!
Coincidentally(maybe not) my fave albums from Vinnie’s era are with Pete Way
Ranking:
OBSESSION (my favorite)/MECHANIX- 10+/10
FORCE IT/NO HEAVY PETTING/LIGHTS OUT/ THE WILD THE WILLING AND THE INNOCENT – 9.5
MAKING CONTACT/WALK ON WATER – 9.0
NO PLACE TO RUN/HIGH STAKES & DANGEROUS MEN/MOGG-WAY – CHOCOLATE BOX – 8.5
PHENOMENON/MOGG-WAY – EDGE OF THE WORLD/COVENANT/ THE MONKEY PUZZLE – 8.0
MISDEMEANOR/YOU ARE HERE - 7.5
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’/?/? – 7.0
? – 6.5
SHARKS – 6.0