wo Words: Michael Schenker! This album is a guitar fan's wet dream.
Michael Schenker soars through this record with the speed of light. Yes the mighty UFO are back!!! With the killer riff of the opener "Self Made Man", this album catches your attention immediately. And it's not just the brilliant, flawless guitar work (Check out the acoustic arpeggios on "Venus") -- it's the great songs that this band creates. There isn't a "filler" or subpar song on this record. These songs prove that the Schenker/Mogg songwriting team is just as good as any in the history of music.
Speaking of Mr. Phil Mogg, he sounds better than ever, his voice is as strong as clear as ever. Phil Mogg is one of the few singers who have their own trademark style and you can inmediately tell it's him from the opening note. His voice maintains the melodic yet heavy edge to it. Tracks like "Stopped By A Bullet (Of Love)", "Darker Days" and "Dreaming of Summer" feature Mogg at his best, but it's on the bonus tracks, the "new" versions of the all-time classics "Doctor, Doctor" and "Lights Out", that Mogg and the rest of the guys take your head off. These guys haven't lost a step!
Pete Way provides a solid, steady bass line that totally complements Schenker's playing. There's such complexity and orchestration to this music (although it may not seem like it to the "common" ear, but us Freaks know better -- DON'T WE?). Andy Parker provides the backbeat, and to this day I feel he's ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED drummers in the history of music. Want to know why? Check out "Walk On Water"! The ever versatile Paul Raymond provides melody with his rhythm guitar and keyboards -- check out "Dreaming of Summer" (MetalGod's Pick). There's a lot to be said about the lyrical content of some of these songs, and I have to quote "Dreaming of Summer" (Can you tell I dig this tune?) -- "Put the lights way down low, Come closer, Tell me heroes don't fade away, They're forever..." Mogg sings this line with such passion that it tears your heart out!! And then there's the solo, and the acoustic nylon string arpeggios...and Michael Schenker. He proves why he is mentioned as a heavy influence by guitar virtuosos such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, the late great Criss Oliva, Marty Friedman, Kirk Hammett...Need I CONTINUE?...didn't think so... Overall this is a killer album, and anyone who calls himself a guitar fan should own it -- PERIOD! GO! GET IT NOW! If you're still reading this and aren't on your way to the record store, you're a LOSER! RUN!
wo Words: Michael Schenker! This album is a guitar fan's wet dream.