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Two 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!!!
Reviewed by MetalGod
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