Strange but shockingly true. This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the original sighting of British rock legends UFO. To mark the occasion they have released a new studio album, their twentieth, The Visitor.
They might be without bass player Pete Way, currently recovering from liver problems, but the rest of the line-up is more than familiar. Founder members singer Phil Mogg, drummer Andy Parker, and Paul Raymond on keys and guitar are joined again by American guitar ace Vinnie Moore. Vinnie joined UFO late in 2003 appearing on the albums You Are Here in 2004, and the 2006 The Monkey Puzzle.
Together they worked up thirty-five songs for the album. Eventually these were trimmed down to thirteen, ten of which finally appear on the album. One of the parameters the band set for the final selection was that the tracks had to work live. Anyone who has seen UFO over the years will know that they are like oxygen to a flame when it comes to that environment.
If anything this is an album that, despite the passage of time, actually moves the band forward. Pete Way’s absence on the album is sad, and we wish him well and hope to see him back soon, but perhaps, in the studio at least, it is only really noticeable to the die hard fans. This potentially huge gap is more than compensated for by the rest of the band who put in trademark quality, passion, and instinctive understanding.
Phil Mogg delivers a performance that is very nearly right up there with the Strangers In The Night era, and that’s saying something. Time seems to have also stood still for the rest of the band. From the opening of, “Saving Me” it is clear that riding this particular UFO is an experience worth getting worked up over. Vinnie Moore provides an injection of passion and serves up some superb solos along the way.
“Saving Me” is so good it actually leaves you wondering in the rest of the album just might fade away under its rather large shadow. Hell, no way (excuse the pun). They manage to serve up many more smouldering rock classics that deserve to radiate out from your hungry speakers.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
This is a terrific new album, showing the band not following trends and sounding just like themselves, classic blues-influenced hard rock. Now, if they would only get off their butts and do some extensive touring, perhaps on a double-bill with Blue Oyster Cult?
2 - Jeff
Hi Triniman
Good to hear from you and thanks for reading this. Glad you like the album - 'not following trends and sounding just like themselves, classic blues-influenced hard rock.' - spot on !
thanks again , Jeff
3 - Paul Roy
Excellent review Jeff. I haven't heard the album yet, but now I am intrigued. Last one I got was The Monkey Puzzle and the Showtime DVD is also awesome. These guys are sounding better than ever with Vinnie Moore on guitar and, like you said, Phil Mogg is sounding better than ever.