I am just glad that there's folk like and me that are into UFO. Loved UFO since I was about 12 in 1980. It was they're heavier stuff. But love almost all thier tunes
You Are Here! doesn't have stand out tracks but for some reason something draws me to it.. UFO does not have a bad album... LOL leven oved the pre schenker UFO
Great list Pete, my wife and I loved Misdemeanor. It was just one of those moments in our life. I saw UFO live when Schenker rejoined and the anticipation to hear and see him was palpable. The guy really is a guitar god. The gig was pretty good too. UFO are a great band that don't get the recognition they deserve. With my tongue firmly in my cheek, could you imagine if they released a double live album in there heyday... Haha! Thanks for this Pete, it is good to see UFO getting some well deserved love.
Despite having seen Schenker before, yesterday was my first time seeing UFO in Waukegan, IL. I missed the shows in St. Charles, so I figured that was it. This one popped up, so I bought tickets and went with my brother. After seeing hundreds of concerts, it was easily one of the best. Great band, Phil can still sing (and joke with the audience), and he'll be 72 this April. Andy still rocking on drums, Vinnie is an amazing guitarist. Rest of band great. I wasn't bored for one second of the show. All of the oldies stood for the whole show (I'm not old, of course....) and were singing loudly. Great, great band over many eras. I will be sad to see them go, but if you have a chance to see them still, go, by all means!
Was there as well, my first U.F.O. show too!! Seen Micheal a couple of times. My impression is that Phil has still got it, Andy didn't miss a beat, the bass player kinda reminds my of a young Pete Way, the rhythm guitar/ keyboard player held his own and Vinnie Moore is a master of his craft. Glad I went, made me wish though that I could have seen the classic line up live in person. At least we have Strangers In The Night to put us there in our mind.
@@tttarms1970 What don't you like about the Genesee Theatre? It was my first time there, so I am just curious. I seemed pretty nice to me, an old movie theater, I am guessing, and then slightly more modern amenities and such.
@@tttarms1970 I am 6'5, so no stranger to cramped quarters. With everyone standing, as I prayed to God they would, it was better than sitting tightly between people.
For me it was Lights Out, then Osession and Force it. They were untouchable during this period with Moggs great vocals (he still sounds good) and Schenkers stunning gtr work. This was pre van Halen and he was on fire with that hard electric tone and his technique. UFO just had it then. Saw them on Force It tour and it was £1 ($2) a ticket. They stormed that show. Even met Schenker coming out after the gig.!Other gtr players have done a great job but this was the period I saw them numerous times and was so into them. They still sound good today. Production really ramped up when Ron Nevison was hired for Lights Out. Thanks for reminding me all these albums
I agree, they do have a pre Van Halen vibe. Killer guitar work, fun songs, great singer. I don't know why it seems to me they didn't reach the next level. I'm guessing because Schenker left.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic review! One of my most favorite bands of all time!! Agree with the top few for sure, especially the top three order. Great job Pete.
These "ranking" videos have inspired me to go back and revisit a lot of long-unlistened albums as well as checking out more recent work from classic bands like Uriah Heep and UFO. Thanks, Pete.
Out of the ones I've heard: 01) Force It 02) Phenomenon 03) Obsession 04) The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent 05) UFO 06) UFO II 07) Lights Out 08) No Heavy Petting 09) No Place To Run
UFO have long been my favourite rock band. My favourite line up was the Strangers in the Night version of the band. Your ranking of the studio albums is about right me thinks with the sound they got on Obsession being a great sound from a period of outstanding recordings. Its wonderful to hear a UFO aficionado speaking appreciatively of a band that served as a vehicle for some Schenker and Mogg magic, which was augmented by Way, Raymond, and Parker.
The schenker era is great, especially Phenomenon, but I personally think that their first 3 albums, UFO 1, UFO flying and UFO live are just pure gold. Hardcore hard rock, psychedelic space rock, and just pure musicianship. Mick Bolton absolutely killed it on guitar! To me, I feel like that’s the true UFO
Don't know why it took me so long to buy more UFO after getting a double CD cheap of the pre Schenker basically UFO 1 and Flying repackage together I believe.
Interesting review pete..for me the one i keep going back to is No Heavy Pettin....btw my first gig seeing them was Roundhouse 77 lights out tour..some of which is on youtube..would love to see you review The Babys/John Waite..
Hey Mike, what do you think here. Would "The Writer" have sounded better or much different had Michael Schenker recorded it? Tough one, but where would you go with that? -Bill
So nice to hear this way you speak of UFO. Would welcome to hear you delve further into anything else about the catalog or particular album. You are spot on or pretty damn close in what you say. Say more see if it holds up here. Thanks take care
My personal UFO top3: 1. Obsession, 2. Walk on water, 3. The wild the willing and the innocent. I'm OK with your ranking, it is decent, honest! No nonsense stuff! Keep on rockin' man!
Love UFO! Thanks for the review. Got a few more albums to check out. Love the Vinnie Moore albums. Great talent. Of course the Schenker era is incredible. Need to listen to more of the Chapman stuff!
Obsession is just on another level to all the other albums. I just love every single track. It's actually a shame that it was the first one I heard because everything else however great just didn't reach the standard of obsession.
a matter of opinion. there is nothing on obsession that compares to some of the songs on phenomenon. (i love all the schenker era stuff, not at all knocking obsession, just giving an opinion)
i do love the obsession album. the band had grown and really polished their sound, which in reality, made them a better band than they were in 74, but the raw new energy they had when schenker came on board was palatable on phenomenon. truth be told, i cant say any of the schenker era recordings are "better" than the next.
I'm all hung up on Walk on Water again. I was lucky enough to catch UFO in NY back in 1997 or so when they were still supporting songs on that album. I got there early and got to sit down with Michael and talk Vs and guitar strings. A+ show :)
A bit off topic, but the two leads on “I’m a Loser” are so epic. Some of the most fluid kick ass pentatonic guitar playing I’ve ever heard. I discovered the band in 1991 when I was 17. It was like “okay, so this is where all the 80s metal comes from”. My favourite riff ever “Too Hot To Handle”. Again, epic.
thanks, Pete! My favorite all time band! I been saving this up to view on my day off. I first became aware of UFO, when a friends older brother had Phenomenon and Strangers in the Night. About a year later , i went to see Molly Hatchet in concert Dec. 80, and MSG was opening. I had no idea at the time, Schenker was the guy from UFO, I was 15, 16, and didnt connect. But, I bought that first MSG 1980 debut and was blown away! Still a favorite. Then, I dug back and found the UFO catalog. THis was early 80, 81, 82. The Paul Chapmann era, which i LOVE also...great songs, riffs on No Place To Run, Wild WIlling, etc. Want to hear my one cool UFO story.? I was stationed in Germany, 1993 and i saw a poster around town , near Frankfurt advertising UFO REUNION TOUR ..with Quiet RIot and Doc Holliday. Rocking around Christmas Tour. First date was the one i got tix for Babenhausen, near Frankfurt, The UFO band names were displayed on the poster (which i still have) Mog, way, parker, raymond and Chapmann!!?? Paul was to be the guitar player ?! A couple of weeks prior to the show, those same posters has his name taped over with SCHENKER! Hahaha! Well, I wasnt mad!! I saw the show. They played the whole Strangers in the Night LP. I actually brought my copy to the gig to see if i would get lucky to get an autograph. Usually easy at German shows. Schenker had a table set up , in the entrance , selling his Thank You cd. He chatted and autographed my LP cover . After the gig I saw the UFO bus, I met Andy Parker, he took my LP and got it singed by the rest of guys in the bus Probably wore out after the first gig, having a drink. I asked Andy Parker, WHAT IS THE DEAL with Chapmann on the poster? Was he gonna be in the band again? HE just smiled and laughed it off. Great band. I never saw them again in concert. Too bad they couldnt keep it together with Schenker. Glad to see both still out rocking in 2019/2020!
I saw Vinnie Moore do a guitar seminar at Victor’s Music in Ridgewood NJ c.1988 ::: he showed us how to do sweeping arpeggios. I went home and I got it!
The title track to 'Lights Out', one of the greatest rock songs EVER! Michael and Phil just kill on that. That song alone brings the album to #1 in my book.
J&R...wow, that mention brought back some memories. Had a couple of stores here in the Milwaukee area, always had a great time looking for records there.
Congratulations on the always excellent editions of "Ranking the Studio Albums". Here in Brazil there is nobody doing something so interesting with this theme. Some suggestions for the next editions, NAZARETH, SLADE, SWEET, SAXON, RORY GALLAGHER, STATUS QUO, FOGHAT AND GOV'T MULE. Thanks for the great videos.
Well, the funniest thing is I bought Obsession without hearing it and I just love that album. I bought it as a teen, and I am about to get the cd finally. So Pete, I started out with your fave. Lol, now Im going to explore your 2nd and 3rd choices. I guess I did it right. I have a few MSG albums and cds as well. I call it cutting to the chase.
I still love UFO and listen to them regularly. I saw them live in the late 70s and early 80s but sadly never got to see Schenker with them. I think Force it is their best studio album but their live album Strangers in the night is magnificent. Its a pity Pete didnt include it in the ranking list as it would probably be number 1. UFO are probably the most underrated band of all time.....they deserved to be so much bigger. ps love these ranking videos and band histories that Pete does. Thank you Pete....keep the videos coming.
Pete has talked about that in a different video. Scorpions has a lot of albums and Pete is bascially only into half of them. So he doesn't feel like he could do justice to a complete Scorpions list. Maybe Pete and some friend who are into the later day material could do a seperate ranking?
Agreed, Pete you should do it anyway!! I don't own everything either. You like what you like and it's your show. Give us what you have and it's probably what most of us are into as well.
My top 5: 1. Conspiracy of Stars 2. No Heavy Petting 3. Lights Out 4. Force It 5. Obsession Conspiracy of Stars was actually the first album of theirs I got. I bought it at the same time I got Whitesnake's "Purple Album" in order to get free shipping. Loved both those records and then went back and started buying more UFO albums, starting with 5 CD box from the 1970s releases. I just got the multi-disc set with all those 1980s releases but haven't listened to it much yet, hence my list.
UFO are one of the few bands who've NEVER released a weak album. Every incarnation of the band has been fantastic. Theyve gone from strength to strength and continue to kick all kinds of azz!! they, along wiht Thin Lizzy, should be univerally spoken household names! Also, Mogg is among the greatest frontmen of all time!!
I'll give you my top ten. I agree with you about the significance of UFO as a band. These guys should have been huge in the states. I had gotten the Strangers in the Night album and Obsession on vinyl right around the summer of 1982. I was a huge Van Halen fan at the time and I didn't quite get UFO. I liked Lights Out from the live album but, they didn't quite connect with me. I went off to boot camp in August of '84 a full-blown metal head having gone all-in on Maiden & Priest. Long Story short. in '88 I came across a clearance sale bin on cassettes. There were a bunch of UFO albums in there and I grabbed No Heavy Petting and Force It. Two weeks later I cleaned out that bin of every UFO album I didn't have! I was obsessed with Schenker's playing and am still to this day. 10) Walk On Water 09) Mechanix 08) A Conspiracy Of Stars 07) Making Contact 06) Phenomenon 05) The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent 04) Obsession 03) Lights Out 02) No Heavy Petting 01) Force It
The list must begin with “Force It.” Not a bad track on it, and many of the best. Add the cover art, and what we have is a freaking masterpiece. I’m of course partial to all of the Schenker catalog, so any list I make will have all MS at the top of it. That said, I’m happy to see this thread and be among fellow UFO heads. We have exquisite tastes, you and I!😊
1) Lights Out 2) Wild Willing Innocent 3)Walk On Water 4)No Place To Run 5) Force It note: if i could add MOGG/WAY. i would list EDGE OF THE WORLD, basically a UFO album, but couldnt use the name due to lawsuit w/ Schenker. Its a killer cd. Great guitar by George Bellas.
Somewhere Eddie Trunk is elated that someone is ranking the UFO albums and giving them respect. He's like, "Yes! Yes! Someone recognizes Schenkers brillance! Who is this person? Let's get him on Trunk Nation and That Metal Show!"
Very good ranking job here very close to my picks! I think you said it all its where you were introduced to the band for me it was finding "Force it" on cassette underneath a car seat while detailing at the family car dealership it changed my life music wise forever. I can remember the first time hearing the opening riff on "Let it Roll" that sustaining feedback dam!! Whats amazing is it still gives me chills to this day that is what I love about UFO you never tire of listening to the greatness of all these albums like you said they all have their merits on every release what a unbelievable & amazing catalog this band has left. I always wondered what those early Schenker albums like Force it and No Heavy Petting before Lights out would have sounded like with Nevison or Mutt Lange as producer. I think Leo did ok with the budget he was afforded which was hardly anything but just saying. For each Era of the band my favorite picks are obviously Schenker Force it with Obsession right there love the production on Obsession the best sounding of the Schenker albums besides Walk on Water which is amazing! For the Chapman era its by far WWATI loved all the Chapman era stuff not one bad release there.:(( RIP Paul Chapman what a incredible musician and human being he was huge loss taken way to early.... For the Vinnie Moore stuff its definitely Conspiracy of Stars sadly there last studio album but a dam good one then it would be You Are Here with Jason Bonham. This band will forever go down in history as one of the best ever despite never hitting commercial gold. To us true fans they have been sonically life changing. Something notable for all the fans out there read LIGHTS OUT surviving the 70's with UFO by Martin Popoff also Lettin GO for the Chapman era great reads!!
Great video. Difficult not to agree with your ranking. My Top 5: 1. Obsession, 2. Lights Out, 3. No Heavy Pettin, 4. Force It, and 5. Phenomenon. I have a soft spot for Misdemeanor.
Such a great band, consistently great, pure professionals. I knew the engineer/ studio owner from High Stakes. He said they very much lived the life but were perfect gentlemen. Ian's wife got sick and they cancelled the rest of the session so he could be with her. This made me love them even more. Oh, and Phil Mogg is a keen, very knowledgeable gardener. Kind of made me love him even more.
It all depends on the type of music you go for. Your favorites are most peoples favorites and they are good lp's but the older stuff like Flying is completely different, typical 1971 far out ( pun intended) jamming, and I love it. Flying is my favorite lp. Mick Bolton's psychedelic guitar work is groovy! Another perfect example is Journey which completely changed their music from Prog heavy rock to commercial crap but everyone loves the Steve Perry stuff. My favorite Journey lp's are Look Into The Future and Next from 76,77 era. Cheers
1. Obsession 2. Lights Out 3. Force It 4. No Heavy Petting 5. Phenomenon 6. Wild Willing and the Innocent 7. Walk on Water 8. No Place to Run 9. Sharks 10. Covenant 11. Mechanix 12. The Visitor 13. Conspiracy of Stars 14. You are Here 15. Monkey Puzzle 16. Seven Deadly 17. Making Contact
1.Obsession 2.lights out 3. walk on water 4. Force it 5.phenomenon 6. No Heavy petting 7.wild willing and the Innocent 8.no place to run 9.Sharks 10. covenant 11. Mechanix 12. You are here .....
CanadianCharlie64 There is a box set available for pretty cheap called UFO: the complete studio albums 74-86.It’s a great set and will include a lot of what are great albums.
Not sure if the guys above are reference the same thing, but there are two 5 cd sets (think they are both 5 cds each, sorry don’t have them handy at the moment to look) of the Chrysalis Years which all the first era of Schenker and the Paul Raymond material plus rare live and bonus b sides. Very much worth having to book end those eras ! Can’t speak to later material as I lost interest after those periods.
@@GMHG777 good point in helping out Canadian Charlie64 (I'm in Canada too :) )...they are three different sets; the first one mentioned is as described and then the 2 separate 5 CD ones you're describing. cheers.
Brilliant story about buying Lights Out Pete I think we can all relate to it. My top 10. 1 Obsession. 2 Lights Out. 3 Force It. 4 No Heavy Petting. 5 Phenomenon. 6 The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent. 7 No Place to Run. 8 Mechanix. 9 Misdemeanor. 10 Sharks.
♫ Funny - I have every UFO release and I'd have to say next to the "Strangers in the Night" album which is actually a composite of 3 venues (one being from Chicago's Amphitheatre), my favorite UfO 🛸 album would have to be "Obsession". ☮
Pete, you've nailed it! This is exactly my order!!! Btw, you skipped one album with Atomic whatever his other name is lol that I've been recently listening frequently.
I'm gonna be a Madman and rank them all because there one the most underrated bands ever! Non of these are bad, some better than others Phenomen, Phenomenal album Obsession Lights Out No Heavy Petting Force It The Wild, Willing and Innocent No Place to Run The Monkey Puzzle You Are Here A Conspiracy Stars Misdemeanor, the perfect album they could've done in the 80s Mechanix Walk on Water, fantastic comeback for Schenker Covenant Making Contact Sharks The Visitor Seven Deadly UFO 2: Flying UFO 1 High Stakes & Dangerous Men
agree for just about all ..with a couple of changes. am not as familiar with the Vinnie Era but I have put High Stakes a little higher, really like that record, mechanix a bit higher and no heavy petting over Phenomenon. Thanks this was fun
Schenker number six on my list of greatest guitarists. Saw UFO on the Obsession tour never forget it. Obsession my number 1. Force it 2nd Lights out third. Like the Chapman era also saw them on the No Place to Run tour at the Tower Theatre Philadelphia. Those where the days.
Agree absolutely with your top 2 choices, both albums are phenonemal. Walk on Water would be my number 3. Also agree with your thoughts on Doctor, Doctor, kinda overrated for me. I mirror your view on No Place Left to Run, was super hyped up to go out and buy it back in the day, but I felt it was just let down with the production. Ron Nevision would have gotten much more out of the good songs on it. I had the pleasure of seeing them live a few times, my first ever rock concert was UFO, with Schenker, at Edinburgh Odeon Theatre in 1977, just amazing. Can picture it still. Loved your video btw.
Top 10 1. No Heavy Petting 2. Force It 3. Obsession 4. Lights Out 5. Phenomenon 6. Mechanix 7. Walk On Water 8. Sharks 9. The Wild The Willing and the Innocent 10. No Place To Run
The word underrated gets thrown around quite a lot by rock and metal fans, but I honestly think UFO might be THE underrated band of the 70s... This band had intelligent and technical music that could also just be great fun to listen to, and I think that might be why the Schenker years were so popular, besides the fact that he had some groundbreaking guitar playing... I have to say Phenomenon is probably their best, the album is slightly ahead of its time and almost biblical... Like a bridge between Led Zeppelin and early metal...
Thank for sharing. A huge UFO fan. Had almost everything they put out. Love the first four or so schenker Era albums. Also loved the reunion album with Schenker. Walk on water. Haven't listen to the last two UFO albums. Kind of lost interest. There but bye for is the live album Stranger's in the night. I wish Schenker would stop the bashing. He was going after UFO as well.
My UFO buying was from Phenomenon through Mechanix. So those are my top. Great live so many great songs. Pete you are right Rock Bottom is their best song.
Phenomenon-Obsession pretty much end of story. The "No place to run album with Paul Chapman is excellent. The reform album "Walk on Water" is brilliant. Sharks and Covenant with Schenker have some nice stuff. However from the words of Paul Raymond. It was never the same without Michael in the band.
Lights out and Phenomenon tie. Obsession next, Force It, No Heavy Petting. I got my copy of Phenomenon signed by Michael Schenker on the Temple of Rock tour. No one else waiting outside had that one!
1) Obsession 2) Lights Out 3) No Place To Run 4) Walk On Water 5) You Are Here 6) No Heavy Petting 7) Force It 8) Phenomenon 9) The Visitor 10) Seven Deadly 11) The Monkey Puzzle 12) Sharks 13) Covenant 14) Making Contact 15) A Conspiracy Of Stars 16) The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent 17) Mechanix 18) High Stakes And Dangerous Men 19) Misdemeanor 20) Ufo 2 21) UFO 1 This ranking wasn't easy after the first five positions...
Great video Pete! I,m not a big fan of UFO, I only have a "Best of" (It's cool) but I will hear some of this records, specially your top 5. And, of course I Will see them live in Rockfest Barcelona in july.
Roberto That is great. but you will need the ultimate. "Strangers in the Night" I suggest you get that AFTER you see them live so you wont feel disappointed. Seriously.
Damn, what a great job of ranking all these albums in the context it was done. With a catalog stretching through decades, a person's changing likes, dislikes, and maturity often sets the great bands from the one-hit wonders and trends of the time. Great artists always seem to navigate these waters by pleasing new fans and old. People must remember UFO's greatest long term fans now spend more time with grandchildren than listening to the band. A band that only finally called it quits in 2020! As for the other Schenker, he and his bandmates are finally playing in Melbourne, Aus., in two days where they'll see lots of grey hair in the audience. Although not possible on the this ranking video it would be interesting to know how budget restraints may have affected the Vinnie Moore era of the band. The Stones and AC/DC have had no such financial or time restraints. Phil Mogg - and I think Pete Way - have also lamented on having pushed the early albums out too fast, and as dissected in the video by the oh-so cognizant Pete Pardo, they're still great. Apparently, Phil and Pete think they could have been better. The typical attitude of greatness. As for my left-field two cents worth, if not for the not-at-all-required *yikes* re-recording of "Doctor Doctor"and "Lights Out" on the _Walk on Water_ album, two more above decent tracks in their place would have that album as my number one all time. The track "Pushed to the Limit" (not mentioned by Mistah Pardo) is the one truly great rock anthem for every guy over the age of 50 hitting the gym or renovating his tenth house, or, hitting on the younger hot blonde with some of that house investment profits. Just about everything else was a home run by Mr. Prado.
I have three granddaughters ages 6-9 and we listen to UFO and many other rock bands together all the time. They all profess their love for rock ‘n’ roll loudly and proudly. They know who Michael Schenker is and the oldest is learning guitar. In fact, when she was three, she pulled out my Assault Attack album (with Michael Schenker hoisting his Flying V from a wall of flames) and said, “Pop Pop, I don’t know who this guy is, but I think he likes rock ‘n’ roll!” Some kids just get it! As soon as they run into my house, they want to fire up something that rocks. I feel it’s my duty to save them from the scourge of modern pop. So far, so good.
The space rock albums would make up my bottom two as well. Not because they're bad, but knowing the juggernaut that UFO would become sort of ruins those first ones for me. I prefer the Chapman years, as legendary and wonderful as the Schenker albums are. Wild Willing and Innocent plain kills, No Place To Run is underrated, Mechanix and Making Contact are unfairly shat upon. I can't attempt a full ranking of my own because I only have the albums through Walk On Water, but my top 5 is 1. Wild Willing Innocent 2. No Place To Run 3. Lights Out 4. Mechanix 5. High Stakes and Dangerous Men (yes, I love this album that much--sacrilege, I know...)
It warms my heart to hear someone speaking highly of UFO.
I am just glad that there's folk like and me that are into UFO.
Loved UFO since I was about 12 in 1980.
It was they're heavier stuff. But love almost all thier tunes
@@fin4710 I go back to about 72, and love the Bolton era, the Schenker years and the Chapman era up to the mid-80's.
Long live UFO!!!!!
You Are Here! doesn't have stand out tracks but for some reason something draws me to it.. UFO does not have a bad album... LOL leven oved the pre schenker UFO
It must be said that STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT is still the greatest live rock album of all time!
The production on Phenomenon is stellar. Outstanding album.
leo lyons did a great job in recognizing schenker's talent and exploiting it.
Great list Pete, my wife and I loved Misdemeanor. It was just one of those moments in our life. I saw UFO live when Schenker rejoined and the anticipation to hear and see him was palpable. The guy really is a guitar god. The gig was pretty good too.
UFO are a great band that don't get the recognition they deserve. With my tongue firmly in my cheek, could you imagine if they released a double live album in there heyday... Haha!
Thanks for this Pete, it is good to see UFO getting some well deserved love.
Despite having seen Schenker before, yesterday was my first time seeing UFO in Waukegan, IL. I missed the shows in St. Charles, so I figured that was it. This one popped up, so I bought tickets and went with my brother. After seeing hundreds of concerts, it was easily one of the best. Great band, Phil can still sing (and joke with the audience), and he'll be 72 this April. Andy still rocking on drums, Vinnie is an amazing guitarist. Rest of band great. I wasn't bored for one second of the show. All of the oldies stood for the whole show (I'm not old, of course....) and were singing loudly. Great, great band over many eras. I will be sad to see them go, but if you have a chance to see them still, go, by all means!
Was there as well, my first U.F.O. show too!! Seen Micheal a couple of times. My impression is that Phil has still got it, Andy didn't miss a beat, the bass player kinda reminds my of a young Pete Way, the rhythm guitar/ keyboard player held his own and Vinnie Moore is a master of his craft. Glad I went, made me wish though that I could have seen the classic line up live in person. At least we have Strangers In The Night to put us there in our mind.
I missed it....HATE that venue....
@@tttarms1970 What don't you like about the Genesee Theatre? It was my first time there, so I am just curious. I seemed pretty nice to me, an old movie theater, I am guessing, and then slightly more modern amenities and such.
@@kurtkluge1686 I was there for a comedy show.... way to crammed...I'm 6'4 and it was very tight....plus the fact way out in waukegan....
@@tttarms1970 I am 6'5, so no stranger to cramped quarters. With everyone standing, as I prayed to God they would, it was better than sitting tightly between people.
For me it was Lights Out, then Osession and Force it. They were untouchable during this period with Moggs great vocals (he still sounds good) and Schenkers stunning gtr work. This was pre van Halen and he was on fire with that hard electric tone and his technique. UFO just had it then. Saw them on Force It tour and it was £1 ($2) a ticket. They stormed that show. Even met Schenker coming out after the gig.!Other gtr players have done a great job but this was the period I saw them numerous times and was so into them. They still sound good today. Production really ramped up when Ron Nevison was hired for Lights Out. Thanks for reminding me all these albums
I agree, they do have a pre Van Halen vibe. Killer guitar work, fun songs, great singer.
I don't know why it seems to me they didn't reach the next level. I'm guessing because Schenker left.
@@chaddubois8164 exactly that. Somehow bands have a time and that was it. They had a career tho.
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic review! One of my most favorite bands of all time!! Agree with the top few for sure, especially the top three order. Great job Pete.
UFO with Schenker are on another level, he has that melodic tasteful way of playing that only he and Gary Moore have.
I think Rush was the only band I saw more times than UFO. Incredible band. 1 Obsessions 2 Lights Out 3 Phenomenon 4 No Heavy Petting 5 No Place to Run
These "ranking" videos have inspired me to go back and revisit a lot of long-unlistened albums as well as checking out more recent work from classic bands like Uriah Heep and UFO. Thanks, Pete.
Thats where some fun is no doubt
I've done the same thing revisiting and completing my Discography
Same here
Out of the ones I've heard:
01) Force It
02) Phenomenon
03) Obsession
04) The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
05) UFO
06) UFO II
07) Lights Out
08) No Heavy Petting
09) No Place To Run
UFO have long been my favourite rock band. My favourite line up was the Strangers in the Night version of the band. Your ranking of the studio albums is about right me thinks with the sound they got on Obsession being a great sound from a period of outstanding recordings. Its wonderful to hear a UFO aficionado speaking appreciatively of a band that served as a vehicle for some Schenker and Mogg magic, which was augmented by Way, Raymond, and Parker.
Nice review on UFO. I'm going to have to delve into the bands catalogue as I confess I don't have any. Any plans to do a Humble Pie album ranking?
The schenker era is great, especially Phenomenon, but I personally think that their first 3 albums, UFO 1, UFO flying and UFO live are just pure gold. Hardcore hard rock, psychedelic space rock, and just pure musicianship. Mick Bolton absolutely killed it on guitar! To me, I feel like that’s the true UFO
That's exactly what I'm saying, that space-rock UFO is better than pop-rock UFO.
Hell yeah brother!!!!!!!!!!
Don't know why it took me so long to buy more UFO after getting a double CD cheap of the pre Schenker basically UFO 1 and Flying repackage together I believe.
I like the Chapman stuff and probably because it was the early 80's that I got in the band.
Interesting review pete..for me the one i keep going back to is No Heavy Pettin....btw my first gig seeing them was Roundhouse 77 lights out tour..some of which is on youtube..would love to see you review The Babys/John Waite..
Babys are sorely underrated-great band! Bad English-great album, as well!
Great band! My faves are Obsession and Lights Out. Walk On Water is an underrated gem & New albums kicks ass too!
The Writer from Mechanix is one of UFOs greatest riffs, especially outside of the Schenker era
Michael spot on. I loved the Writer as soon as I heard it Not Schenker but gotta love that ❤️ tune. It absolutely Rocks when played LOUD.
@@rangerrick222 absolutely. It's wasted at a low volume lol
Hey Mike, what do you think here. Would "The Writer" have sounded better or much different had Michael Schenker recorded it? Tough one, but where would you go with that?
-Bill
Agree, when i heard The WRITER, i was blown away , being a great riff rocker and Phil's vocals. I became instant fan of the Chapman era
The albums with Tonka on guitar are excellent..of course Schenker is a beast, but too many people throw shade at the 4 albums Chapman played on.
So nice to hear this way you speak of UFO. Would welcome to hear you delve further into anything else about the catalog or particular album. You are spot on or pretty damn close in what you say. Say more see if it holds up here. Thanks take care
Thanks for the video. As a long time metal fan but relatively new to UFO, this gives me a great place to start.
No 1 No heavy Petting
No 2 all of the rest albums
No 3 UFO 1
I love UFO, all eras all albums.
My personal UFO top3: 1. Obsession, 2. Walk on water, 3. The wild the willing and the innocent. I'm OK with your ranking, it is decent, honest! No nonsense stuff! Keep on rockin' man!
Love UFO! Thanks for the review. Got a few more albums to check out. Love the Vinnie Moore albums. Great talent. Of course the Schenker era is incredible. Need to listen to more of the Chapman stuff!
Ok. I like Mechanix and No place to run !! Underrated albums..
Mechanix was the first album of theirs I bought - it was the recent release at the time.
Thank you sooooooo much for your ranking UFO!! I love UFO!🎤🎸🎵🥁
I love this band so much. I think Phenomenon might be my favorite.
Obsession is just on another level to all the other albums. I just love every single track. It's actually a shame that it was the first one I heard because everything else however great just didn't reach the standard of obsession.
It really is an incredible album, front to back! I think it’s the best studio record Michael Schenker ever made.
a matter of opinion. there is nothing on obsession that compares to some of the songs on phenomenon. (i love all the schenker era stuff, not at all knocking obsession, just giving an opinion)
@@izzimichaels2892 Fair enough. I don't agree but totally respect your opinion
i do love the obsession album. the band had grown and really polished their sound, which in reality, made them a better band than they were in 74, but the raw new energy they had when schenker came on board was palatable on phenomenon. truth be told, i cant say any of the schenker era recordings are "better" than the next.
@@GrahamS67 the respect is mutual btw! thanks!
I'm all hung up on Walk on Water again. I was lucky enough to catch UFO in NY back in 1997 or so when they were still supporting songs on that album. I got there early and got to sit down with Michael and talk Vs and guitar strings. A+ show :)
Great one today. Thanks Pete ⚡️
Lights Out was the first album I bought. Hadn't heard a single note before that, but the opening riff of Too Hot to Handle got me for life.
A bit off topic, but the two leads on “I’m a Loser” are so epic. Some of the most fluid kick ass pentatonic guitar playing I’ve ever heard. I discovered the band in 1991 when I was 17. It was like “okay, so this is where all the 80s metal comes from”. My favourite riff ever “Too Hot To Handle”. Again, epic.
thanks, Pete! My favorite all time band! I been saving this up to view on my day off. I first became aware of UFO, when a friends older brother had Phenomenon and Strangers in the Night. About a year later , i went to see Molly Hatchet in concert Dec. 80, and MSG was opening. I had no idea at the time, Schenker was the guy from UFO, I was 15, 16, and didnt connect. But, I bought that first MSG 1980 debut and was blown away! Still a favorite. Then, I dug back and found the UFO catalog. THis was early 80, 81, 82. The Paul Chapmann era, which i LOVE also...great songs, riffs on No Place To Run, Wild WIlling, etc. Want to hear my one cool UFO story.? I was stationed in Germany, 1993 and i saw a poster around town , near Frankfurt advertising UFO REUNION TOUR ..with Quiet RIot and Doc Holliday. Rocking around Christmas Tour. First date was the one i got tix for Babenhausen, near Frankfurt, The UFO band names were displayed on the poster (which i still have) Mog, way, parker, raymond and Chapmann!!?? Paul was to be the guitar player ?! A couple of weeks prior to the show, those same posters has his name taped over with SCHENKER! Hahaha! Well, I wasnt mad!! I saw the show. They played the whole Strangers in the Night LP. I actually brought my copy to the gig to see if i would get lucky to get an autograph. Usually easy at German shows. Schenker had a table set up , in the entrance , selling his Thank You cd. He chatted and autographed my LP cover . After the gig I saw the UFO bus, I met Andy Parker, he took my LP and got it singed by the rest of guys in the bus Probably wore out after the first gig, having a drink. I asked Andy Parker, WHAT IS THE DEAL with Chapmann on the poster? Was he gonna be in the band again? HE just smiled and laughed it off. Great band. I never saw them again in concert. Too bad they couldnt keep it together with Schenker. Glad to see both still out rocking in 2019/2020!
I saw Vinnie Moore do a guitar seminar at Victor’s Music in Ridgewood NJ c.1988 ::: he showed us how to do sweeping arpeggios. I went home and I got it!
The title track to 'Lights Out', one of the greatest rock songs EVER! Michael and Phil just kill on that. That song alone brings the album to #1 in my book.
Yeah, that song is imho even better than Rock Bottom, definitely the best song on the album.
Their overall best song in my opinion
J&R...wow, that mention brought back some memories. Had a couple of stores here in the Milwaukee area, always had a great time looking for records there.
thank you for keeping ufo's
legacy alive.
lights out
Congratulations on the always excellent editions of "Ranking the Studio Albums". Here in Brazil there is nobody doing something so interesting with this theme. Some suggestions for the next editions, NAZARETH, SLADE, SWEET, SAXON, RORY GALLAGHER, STATUS QUO, FOGHAT AND GOV'T MULE. Thanks for the great videos.
1,Wild,Willing And The Innocent - 2, Lights Out - 3, Obsession are my three favourite albums.the one's i really need to dial up to eleven
Never was really heavy into UFO but Lights out, Obsession and Force it are superb albums.
Love it ,
but please say the year
it was realesd ! 🙂
Might buy the CD box. Just got B.O.C. Columbia box. Excellent. The complete albums is the Chrysalis albums only is it?
I remember first time I heard a Michael Schenker Guitar Solo and the 1st time I heard "Strangers in the Night". I immediately was a fan of UFO.
Well, the funniest thing is I bought Obsession without hearing it and I just love that album. I bought it as a teen, and I am about to get the cd finally. So Pete, I started out with your fave. Lol, now Im going to explore your 2nd and 3rd choices. I guess I did it right. I have a few MSG albums and cds as well. I call it cutting to the chase.
most underrated band
I still love UFO and listen to them regularly. I saw them live in the late 70s and early 80s but sadly never got to see Schenker with them. I think Force it is their best studio album but their live album Strangers in the night is magnificent. Its a pity Pete didnt include it in the ranking list as it would probably be number 1. UFO are probably the most underrated band of all time.....they deserved to be so much bigger. ps love these ranking videos and band histories that Pete does. Thank you Pete....keep the videos coming.
Great video! I would love to see a scorpions list!
Yeah Lets see Scorpions
Pete has talked about that in a different video. Scorpions has a lot of albums and Pete is bascially only into half of them. So he doesn't feel like he could do justice to a complete Scorpions list. Maybe Pete and some friend who are into the later day material could do a seperate ranking?
Yeah Pete said he likes the Uli Jon Roth era of Scorpions but not much after.
@@JohannesYtterstrom oh right never realised that. Yeah it would be great if he did it with A friend or something
Agreed, Pete you should do it anyway!! I don't own everything either. You like what you like and it's your show. Give us what you have and it's probably what most of us are into as well.
My top 5:
1. Conspiracy of Stars
2. No Heavy Petting
3. Lights Out
4. Force It
5. Obsession
Conspiracy of Stars was actually the first album of theirs I got. I bought it at the same time I got Whitesnake's "Purple Album" in order to get free shipping. Loved both those records and then went back and started buying more UFO albums, starting with 5 CD box from the 1970s releases. I just got the multi-disc set with all those 1980s releases but haven't listened to it much yet, hence my list.
UFO are one of the few bands who've NEVER released a weak album. Every incarnation of the band has been fantastic. Theyve gone from strength to strength and continue to kick all kinds of azz!! they, along wiht Thin Lizzy, should be univerally spoken household names!
Also, Mogg is among the greatest frontmen of all time!!
I'll give you my top ten. I agree with you about the significance of UFO as a band. These guys should have been huge in the states. I had gotten the Strangers in the Night album and Obsession on vinyl right around the summer of 1982. I was a huge Van Halen fan at the time and I didn't quite get UFO. I liked Lights Out from the live album but, they didn't quite connect with me. I went off to boot camp in August of '84 a full-blown metal head having gone all-in on Maiden & Priest. Long Story short. in '88 I came across a clearance sale bin on cassettes. There were a bunch of UFO albums in there and I grabbed No Heavy Petting and Force It. Two weeks later I cleaned out that bin of every UFO album I didn't have! I was obsessed with Schenker's playing and am still to this day.
10) Walk On Water
09) Mechanix
08) A Conspiracy Of Stars
07) Making Contact
06) Phenomenon
05) The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent
04) Obsession
03) Lights Out
02) No Heavy Petting
01) Force It
The list must begin with “Force It.” Not a bad track on it, and many of the best. Add the cover art, and what we have is a freaking masterpiece. I’m of course partial to all of the Schenker catalog, so any list I make will have all MS at the top of it.
That said, I’m happy to see this thread and be among fellow UFO heads. We have exquisite tastes, you and I!😊
when u add together both UFOs output and MSGs output over the decades you have one hella compilation of vintage heavy rock pioneers
1) Lights Out
2) Wild Willing Innocent
3)Walk On Water
4)No Place To Run
5) Force It
note: if i could add MOGG/WAY. i would list EDGE OF THE WORLD, basically a UFO album, but couldnt use the name due to lawsuit w/ Schenker. Its a killer cd. Great guitar by George Bellas.
Somewhere Eddie Trunk is elated that someone is ranking the UFO albums and giving them respect. He's like, "Yes! Yes! Someone recognizes Schenkers brillance! Who is this person? Let's get him on Trunk Nation and That Metal Show!"
Very good ranking job here very close to my picks! I think you said it all its where you were introduced to the band for me it was finding "Force it" on cassette underneath a car seat while detailing at the family car dealership it changed my life music wise forever. I can remember the first time hearing the opening riff on "Let it Roll" that sustaining feedback dam!! Whats amazing is it still gives me chills to this day that is what I love about UFO you never tire of listening to the greatness of all these albums like you said they all have their merits on every release what a unbelievable & amazing catalog this band has left. I always wondered what those early Schenker albums like Force it and No Heavy Petting before Lights out would have sounded like with Nevison or Mutt Lange as producer. I think Leo did ok with the budget he was afforded which was hardly anything but just saying. For each Era of the band my favorite picks are obviously Schenker Force it with Obsession right there love the production on Obsession the best sounding of the Schenker albums besides Walk on Water which is amazing! For the Chapman era its by far WWATI loved all the Chapman era stuff not one bad release there.:(( RIP Paul Chapman what a incredible musician and human being he was huge loss taken way to early.... For the Vinnie Moore stuff its definitely Conspiracy of Stars sadly there last studio album but a dam good one then it would be You Are Here with Jason Bonham. This band will forever go down in history as one of the best ever despite never hitting commercial gold. To us true fans they have been sonically life changing. Something notable for all the fans out there read LIGHTS OUT surviving the 70's with UFO by Martin Popoff also Lettin GO for the Chapman era great reads!!
Great video. Difficult not to agree with your ranking. My Top 5: 1. Obsession, 2. Lights Out, 3. No Heavy Pettin, 4. Force It, and 5. Phenomenon. I have a soft spot for Misdemeanor.
My UFO top 3 🤘🤘🤘
1) Lights Out "ALL"
2)Phenomenon "Rock Bottom"
3)Force It "Out in the Street "
Such a great band, consistently great, pure professionals. I knew the engineer/ studio owner from High Stakes. He said they very much lived the life but were perfect gentlemen. Ian's wife got sick and they cancelled the rest of the session so he could be with her. This made me love them even more.
Oh, and Phil Mogg is a keen, very knowledgeable gardener. Kind of made me love him even more.
It all depends on the type of music you go for. Your favorites are most peoples favorites and they are good lp's but the older stuff like Flying is completely different, typical 1971 far out ( pun intended) jamming, and I love it. Flying is my favorite lp. Mick Bolton's psychedelic guitar work is groovy! Another perfect example is Journey which completely changed their music from Prog heavy rock to commercial crap but everyone loves the Steve Perry stuff. My favorite Journey lp's are Look Into The Future and Next from 76,77 era. Cheers
1. Obsession
2. Lights Out
3. Force It
4. No Heavy Petting
5. Phenomenon
6. Wild Willing and the Innocent
7. Walk on Water
8. No Place to Run
9. Sharks
10. Covenant
11. Mechanix
12. The Visitor
13. Conspiracy of Stars
14. You are Here
15. Monkey Puzzle
16. Seven Deadly
17. Making Contact
I think You Are Here is the best Vinnie Moore era album . I agree on Visitor to twangy sounding for UFO. .
1.Obsession 2.lights out 3. walk on water 4. Force it 5.phenomenon 6. No Heavy petting 7.wild willing and the Innocent 8.no place to run 9.Sharks 10. covenant 11. Mechanix 12. You are here .....
I only have Misdemeaner and thats on lp, I think its time to invest in a few UFO cds
CanadianCharlie64 There is a box set available for pretty cheap called UFO: the complete studio albums 74-86.It’s a great set and will include a lot of what are great albums.
Same here !
Not sure if the guys above are reference the same thing, but there are two 5 cd sets (think they are both 5 cds each, sorry don’t have them handy at the moment to look) of the Chrysalis Years which all the first era of Schenker and the Paul Raymond material plus rare live and bonus b sides. Very much worth having to book end those eras ! Can’t speak to later material as I lost interest after those periods.
Well, I saw Schenker live in the 80s with MSG and his playing was superb !
@@GMHG777 good point in helping out Canadian Charlie64 (I'm in Canada too :) )...they are three different sets; the first one mentioned is as described and then the 2 separate 5 CD ones you're describing. cheers.
Brilliant story about buying Lights Out Pete I think we can all relate to it.
My top 10.
1 Obsession.
2 Lights Out.
3 Force It.
4 No Heavy Petting.
5 Phenomenon.
6 The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent.
7 No Place to Run.
8 Mechanix.
9 Misdemeanor.
10 Sharks.
nice coverage...wood ve..been nice if you woodve put the dates on these releases..??yeah??
Brother, That Shirt Is Amazing!! Where'd You Get It??!!
♫ Funny - I have every UFO release and I'd have to say next to the "Strangers in the Night" album which is actually a composite of 3 venues (one being from Chicago's Amphitheatre), my favorite UfO 🛸 album would have to be "Obsession". ☮
Pete, you've nailed it! This is exactly my order!!! Btw, you skipped one album with Atomic whatever his other name is lol that I've been recently listening frequently.
It’s an EP and Pete stated he was missing that one.
I'm gonna be a Madman and rank them all because there one the most underrated bands ever! Non of these are bad, some better than others
Phenomen, Phenomenal album
Obsession
Lights Out
No Heavy Petting
Force It
The Wild, Willing and Innocent
No Place to Run
The Monkey Puzzle
You Are Here
A Conspiracy Stars
Misdemeanor, the perfect album they could've done in the 80s
Mechanix
Walk on Water, fantastic comeback for Schenker
Covenant
Making Contact
Sharks
The Visitor
Seven Deadly
UFO 2: Flying
UFO 1
High Stakes & Dangerous Men
agree for just about all ..with a couple of changes. am not as familiar with the Vinnie Era but I have put High Stakes a little higher, really like that record, mechanix a bit higher and no heavy petting over Phenomenon. Thanks this was fun
Not gonna rank the albums only have like six but ain’t no baby and profession of violence gotta be two of the best songs ever
Schenker number six on my list of greatest guitarists. Saw UFO on the Obsession tour never forget it. Obsession my number 1. Force it 2nd Lights out third. Like the Chapman era also saw them on the No Place to Run tour at the Tower Theatre Philadelphia. Those where the days.
Old Wave 🌊 Of British 🇬🇧 Hard Rock 🤘🏻
Agree absolutely with your top 2 choices, both albums are phenonemal. Walk on Water would be my number 3. Also agree with your thoughts on Doctor, Doctor, kinda overrated for me. I mirror your view on No Place Left to Run, was super hyped up to go out and buy it back in the day, but I felt it was just let down with the production. Ron Nevision would have gotten much more out of the good songs on it. I had the pleasure of seeing them live a few times, my first ever rock concert was UFO, with Schenker, at Edinburgh Odeon Theatre in 1977, just amazing. Can picture it still. Loved your video btw.
1.Making Contact.
2.The Wild The Willing the Innocent.
3.Misdemeanor.
4.Walk on Water.
5.Lights Out.
6.Highstakes and Dangerous Men.
7.Obsession.
Top 10
1. No Heavy Petting
2. Force It
3. Obsession
4. Lights Out
5. Phenomenon
6. Mechanix
7. Walk On Water
8. Sharks
9. The Wild The Willing and the Innocent
10. No Place To Run
The word underrated gets thrown around quite a lot by rock and metal fans, but I honestly think UFO might be THE underrated band of the 70s... This band had intelligent and technical music that could also just be great fun to listen to, and I think that might be why the Schenker years were so popular, besides the fact that he had some groundbreaking guitar playing... I have to say Phenomenon is probably their best, the album is slightly ahead of its time and almost biblical... Like a bridge between Led Zeppelin and early metal...
Pete, where did you get that shirt? Looks killer!
Thank for sharing. A huge UFO fan. Had almost everything they put out. Love the first four or so schenker Era albums. Also loved the reunion album with Schenker. Walk on water. Haven't listen to the last two UFO albums. Kind of lost interest. There but bye for is the live album Stranger's in the night. I wish Schenker would stop the bashing. He was going after UFO as well.
My UFO buying was from Phenomenon through Mechanix. So those are my top. Great live so many great songs. Pete you are right Rock Bottom is their best song.
Phenomenon-Obsession pretty much end of story. The "No place to run album with Paul Chapman is excellent. The reform album "Walk on Water" is brilliant. Sharks and Covenant with Schenker have some nice stuff. However from the words of Paul Raymond. It was never the same without Michael in the band.
Great stuff!
Lights out and Phenomenon tie. Obsession next, Force It, No Heavy Petting.
I got my copy of Phenomenon signed by Michael Schenker on the Temple of Rock tour. No one else waiting outside had that one!
I LOVE Flying. It’s a 60-minute guitar blowout! What in the world happened to Mick Bolton? How could a guy who played SO MUCH guitar just disappear?
1) Obsession
2) Lights Out
3) No Place To Run
4) Walk On Water
5) You Are Here
6) No Heavy Petting
7) Force It
8) Phenomenon
9) The Visitor
10) Seven Deadly
11) The Monkey Puzzle
12) Sharks
13) Covenant
14) Making Contact
15) A Conspiracy Of Stars
16) The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
17) Mechanix
18) High Stakes And Dangerous Men
19) Misdemeanor
20) Ufo 2
21) UFO 1
This ranking wasn't easy after the first five positions...
Great video Pete! I,m not a big fan of UFO, I only have a "Best of" (It's cool) but I will hear some of this records, specially your top 5. And, of course I Will see them live in Rockfest Barcelona in july.
Roberto That is great.
but you will need the ultimate.
"Strangers in the Night"
I suggest you get that AFTER
you see them live so you wont feel disappointed. Seriously.
@@rangerrick222 thanks man!
Can you make a review on Vicious Rumors ? thanks man. subbed.
Phenomenon Is the greatest rock Album in the history 🤗💥
I love UFO and i saw them live ...❤️
Agree with Obsession. Schenker was on fire here. So kany great heavy guitar tracks.
Who here knows about Chocolate Box with Jeff Kollman on guitar?
No Place to Run was the 1st UFO album I bought. I bought the vynil LP from someone that didn't like it. Paid £2 for it, that was in about 1982.
1.wild willing and the innocent
2.obsession
3.mechanix
Damn, what a great job of ranking all these albums in the context it was done. With a catalog stretching through decades, a person's changing likes, dislikes, and maturity often sets the great bands from the one-hit wonders and trends of the time. Great artists always seem to navigate these waters by pleasing new fans and old. People must remember UFO's greatest long term fans now spend more time with grandchildren than listening to the band. A band that only finally called it quits in 2020! As for the other Schenker, he and his bandmates are finally playing in Melbourne, Aus., in two days where they'll see lots of grey hair in the audience.
Although not possible on the this ranking video it would be interesting to know how budget restraints may have affected the Vinnie Moore era of the band. The Stones and AC/DC have had no such financial or time restraints. Phil Mogg - and I think Pete Way - have also lamented on having pushed the early albums out too fast, and as dissected in the video by the oh-so cognizant Pete Pardo, they're still great. Apparently, Phil and Pete think they could have been better. The typical attitude of greatness.
As for my left-field two cents worth, if not for the not-at-all-required *yikes* re-recording of "Doctor Doctor"and "Lights Out" on the _Walk on Water_ album, two more above decent tracks in their place would have that album as my number one all time. The track "Pushed to the Limit" (not mentioned by Mistah Pardo) is the one truly great rock anthem for every guy over the age of 50 hitting the gym or renovating his tenth house, or, hitting on the younger hot blonde with some of that house investment profits. Just about everything else was a home run by Mr. Prado.
I have three granddaughters ages 6-9 and we listen to UFO and many other rock bands together all the time. They all profess their love for rock ‘n’ roll loudly and proudly. They know who Michael Schenker is and the oldest is learning guitar. In fact, when she was three, she pulled out my Assault Attack album (with Michael Schenker hoisting his Flying V from a wall of flames) and said, “Pop Pop, I don’t know who this guy is, but I think he likes rock ‘n’ roll!” Some kids just get it! As soon as they run into my house, they want to fire up something that rocks. I feel it’s my duty to save them from the scourge of modern pop. So far, so good.
1) Force It
2) Lights Out
3) Obsession
4) Phenomenon
5) No Heavy Petting
Any opinion on the Salentino album? Studio but all covers?
My fav was 'no place to run'..great songs and a 'heavy' feel to it.
Wild willing, top class album.
Love the band mt favorite era where the schenker year's!!!
Obsession for sure the best !!!
Consider ranking Devin Townsend and/or Strapping Young Lad stuff. It should be both interesting and a challenge, because it is so weird.
The space rock albums would make up my bottom two as well. Not because they're bad, but knowing the juggernaut that UFO would become sort of ruins those first ones for me. I prefer the Chapman years, as legendary and wonderful as the Schenker albums are. Wild Willing and Innocent plain kills, No Place To Run is underrated, Mechanix and Making Contact are unfairly shat upon. I can't attempt a full ranking of my own because I only have the albums through Walk On Water, but my top 5 is 1. Wild Willing Innocent 2. No Place To Run 3. Lights Out 4. Mechanix 5. High Stakes and Dangerous Men (yes, I love this album that much--sacrilege, I know...)