2. Try Me (Lights Out)
I guess it would seem rare for me to have a ballad like this in a number 2 position of any list, but this song is simply remarkable. I've mentioned before that Lights Out was an album I've had for years but never really got into it, and it never really clicked. I'd say UFO are very consistent but for me this album is anything but that. Nevertheless, rediscovering this album I fell in love with this song. Everyone can relate to this song I feel. We've all been in situations that the lyrics can relate to from a relationship point. Well, I know I can anyway.
Even though the song is a ballad, is depressing as hell, yet stunningly beautiful at the same time. Paul Raymond plays this piece amazingly and the strings are wonderful. The obvious star of this show is Schenker. This solo is one of the most well crafted, beautiful, well thought out, well performed climaxes to any song I've ever heard. The way it builds is masterful. The melodies are simply perfect and the emotions and feelings it gives you is chilling. Schenker makes you feel with this song and the echoes the lyrics so damn well.
C minor this one is in to start with. I love 2:59. That sequence could make a grown man cry. E flat it shifts to for the harmonized section, following the basic chords that the song started in the verses and chorus. Back to C minor for the build with some simple octaves, then the explosion at 3:59 is monstrous. Schenkers subtle notes, choking bends and limited note selection makes this solo tear you up. Everything is perfect. The feel and emotion he puts in here is a thing of legends, seriously. One can shred his ass off but the pure mastery on show here blows technicality out of the water. My favourite part is the last melody at 4:32, this does just about make me shed a tear. The brilliant thing is the note that it ends on. It ends on a b flat, the 7th degree of the c minor chord. It literally doesn't resolve. That is absolutely insane how he makes this work so well. It goes back to the lyrics of the guy not being complete without the one he loves. Seriously, ending the way it does is outstanding. One of the most perfectly crafted solos of all time. Brilliant music, brilliant tune.
1. Dreaming of Summer (Walk on Water)
There was simply no way that this song wouldn't be number one. This one was a hit with me right away. This song just has incredible play back value. There's really nothing wrong with this song. I can't think of anything that I would change about it. I love the Love to Love feel at the start here, I think that's a nice touch. I don't know where to start with this song or really explain why it's number one, it just is. I listen to this song and I feel safe, happy, and during these seven minutes, everything in life disappears.
It's a great story so I'll start with that. I can't think of many other vocalists that write lyrics like Phil. It's been said a lot but his story telling ability in songs is outstanding. You get perfect imagery from this song too. Again, in perfect UFO fashion we get lyrics about someone struggling but the music is so positive during that chorus especially. I love the tension at the start though with a real uncertain feel, just like the story. Phil's vocals in the chorus are sublime, and the melodies are just perfect, absolutely perfect. One line I like is the 'I really love my old lady, much more grief she can take. Wish I could take her some place fancy, still need that lucky break.' Wow!
The music here also breathes and has such a wonderful atmosphere. Paul again owns a lot of this thing, it's beautiful playing and melodies. Schenker now is is more subdued but this is sometimes where he is at his best. I will say right now, that the section of music from 3:40 to 5:00 might be easily one of the most amazing, beautiful and perfect sections of music I've ever heard. Schenker here is in Try Me mode. Simple E minor notes but his gentle touch you can hear. His tone is on point and even though there's a fair bit of overdrive in his tone, it's light and as I said his subtle gentle touch with these notes is music perfection. I love firstly how the note at 3:43 is not as loud, like he didn't even pick the note, a ghost note kind of. The melody builds so well and 4:15, holy fucking shit that simple melody we've heard from so many bands time and time again is hypnotic and gives me goosebumps.
What we get next is incredible, we go from E minor to Eb minor, so creative and unique. That change is so good, and Schenkers licks in there, well what can I say, but perfect. It then shifts back to E minor and Schenker gives us a little acoustic beauty. I can't say enough how fucking good that one minute and 20 seconds of music is, seriously.
The song finishes nicely, with that riff from the start and Schenker's out there solo really gives off no indication of the story how the guy gets on. The whole sounds sums up the panick, frustration and uncertainty in needing to support him and his partner. It's so clever. Seems like Schenker is using some blues notes, I think this is in Mixolydian mode too, but he also uses flattened second. I haven't dived into that outro just yet.
Nevertheless, not sure what else to say, but I looked at so many of the other songs to see if this song wasn't worthy of the top spot, but everything else came up short. The track is simply and amazing piece of music and I thank Tim for introducing me to it. Every music lover should hear the beauty of this song, it's a work of art.
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
6. Let It Roll
5. On With the Action
4. Venus
3. Rock Bittom
2. Try Me
1. Dreaming of Summer
Topic: The UFO Discography And Listening Party Thread (Read 152422 times)
