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Rating:
Third Album for the English band of primary importance since, the guitarist Bolton leaves the group to make room for what would become or perhaps already was one of the greatest guitar virtuosos Michael Schenker, the younger brother of Rudolph, who will continue his career with the Scorpions unlike his blood relative.
The inclusion of the German will prove to be a pivotal move for the band's works starting right from this. "Phenomenon" opens with "Too Young To Know" a short track, only 2.29 minutes, not extremely fast but still endowed with a moving/rapid rhythm and punctuated by Schenker's solos, a definitely worthy introduction for a record of this caliber. The second track "Crystal Light" is a slow one, opened by the harp, continues along Mogg's clear voice, ignites in Schenker's guitar, and is closed harmoniously, in the best tradition of ballads, first by the voice and then by the guitar. An elegant and refined track. "Doctor, Doctor" is a historic piece of the band, starting on tiptoe, poetic, which suggests another ballad but suddenly, the rhythm changes and the song turns into a sweeping Heavy Rock supported by Mogg's, this time rougher, inspired voice and a compelling Bass/Drum background, not to forget the fundamental contribution of Schenker's Riffs. A gem for the record, and for the career of the Aliens. The next track "Space Child" is rhythmically calmer than the previous one, living its moments of greater brilliance during Mogg's sung part in which we hear a clearer clean voice, but especially in Schenker's solos that occupy almost the entirety of the time, in which the Teutonic reaches truly celestial, unattainable levels, his virtuosity captivates the listener and the mind for that inhumane atmosphere they manage to convey.
"Rock Bottom" deviates from previous works, fast, intense, fiery it changes the style imprinted so far and catapults the listener into a predominantly Hard Rock sound, in which glimpses of Blues can be found, Schenker's contribution is once again top-notch as he tackles once more with fantastic solos, the one in the central part is nothing short of extraordinary. The track also builds on Mogg's hard and catchy chorus and finally, especially in the final part, by Way's drums. Throughout the piece, the cleanliness and mastery in instrumental execution are especially surprising. The next track "Oh My" is lighter and more relaxed, the riffs are less heavy and the whole song turns out to be rhythmically without excesses. "Time on my Hand" slows down even further but is a very beautiful and romantic song.
The track number 8 "Built for Comfort" is my favorite. "Dirty" and hot sound, blues, the best of the track, accompanied by Schenker’s somewhat slow guitar solos that impart that smoky gambling hall air, an image I like to associate with these types of music, a voice present just enough for a great track that would have deserved a longer runtime. "Lip Stick Traces" is a track where only the slow and elegant rhythm of the guitar and drums is present. Finally, "Queen of the Deep" follows a particular rhythm, starting off quiet for a minute and a half, and then gains altitude carried by a great Mogg and Way's bass, subsequently experiencing the turbulence of Schenker's solo, and for those who believe the landing is soft, they are sorely mistaken, the record is closed by the massive Riffs of the German's guitar supported by Way.
Great album, perhaps not the best of UFO but one that I appreciate greatly since it's the first with that genius Schenker.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
03 Doctor Doctor (04:10)
Michael Schenker; Phil Mogg
Doctor doctor, please
Oh, the mess Im in
Doctor doctor, please,
Oh the mess Im in
She walked up to me
And really stole my heart
And then she started
To take my body apart
*livin, lovin, Im on the run
Far away from you
Livin, lovin, Im on the run
So far away from you
Doctor doctor, please
Oh, Im goin fast
Doctor doctor, please,
Oh, Im goin fast
Its only just a moment,
Shes turnin paranoid
Thats not a situation for a nervous boy
Doctor doctor, please
Oh, the mess Im in
Doctor doctor, please,
Oh, the mess Im in
But you look so angry
As I crawled across your floor
Shes got the strain,
And I cant take any more
*repeat
*repeat
04 Space Child (04:01)
Goin' through pages
and lookin' down lines and lines
Space of your life is only
passing you by
Space child ages as he turns
and faces the lines
Then after laughter was caught
in his throat as he died
Fly on homeward
Worlds are spinnin' by,
makes clouds in your eyes and eyes
The space of your life is only
passing you by
06 Oh My (02:26)
Well, I'm struttin' up and down
Tryin' to get my face in town
Wonderin' the hang where
to turn each time around
Look in your mirror just to see my face
Two way time, baby, it's no disgrace
Oh my, how the times have changed
Oh my, how the times have changed
Ladies used to dancin' but I move for real
Lookin' for reaction, something you can feel
When ya dance,
I move and they look me in the eye
Two way time, baby, it's no lie
*Oh my, how the times have changed
Oh my, how the times have changed
*Repeat
*Repeat
07 Time on My Hands (04:10)
Long, long year
I’ve sat in this place
Baby, baby, what’s good I’ve had
When you don’t know where I wanna go
Find a reason
love’s left me cold
(*)I’ve got it,
time on my hands
Been drinkin’ with the sailor boy
Been tryin’ hard to understand
Lines here in my hand
Left me hopin’ the wild thoughts I had
My lost feelin’ made me so sad
Tried so hard, the smile on my face
Can’t get it back a gain,
back home with you
* repeat
Long, long year
I’ve sat in this place
Baby, baby, what’s good I’ve had
When you don’t know where I wanna go
Find a reason
love’s left me cold
* repeat
08 Built for Comfort (03:01)
(Lyrics are wrong, someone fix them as I'm too lazy)
Some folks built like this, some folks built like that
But the way I’m built, you shouldn’t call me fat
Because I’m built for comfort, I ain’t built for speed
But I got everything all the good girls need
I don’t have no diamond, and I don’t have no gold
But I’ve got a lot of lovin’ and I want you to know
That I’m built for comfort, I ain’t built for speed
But I got everything all the good girls need
Some folk built like this, some folk built like that
But the way I’m built, you shouldn’t call me fat
Because I’m built for comfort, I ain’t built for speed
But I got everything all the good girls need
Some folk rip and roar, some folk b’lieve in signs
But if you want me, you got to take your time
Because I’m built for comfort, I ain’t built for speed
But I got everything all the good girls need
But I got everything all the good girls need
I ... I love you baby
I ... I love you baby
But I got everything all of the good girls need
And I don’t got no diamonds, don’t have no gold
Got a lot of lovin’ to satisfy your soul
I’m built for comfort, I ain’t built for speed
But I got everything all the good girls need
10 Queen of the Deep (05:48)
Heaven knows why I'm left here in this place
With the sun up in my eyes
Symbols of the morning comin' on
With the love that's got too strong to hold
If I'd been so much wiser then
I would have known which path to choose
Heaven help the lucky one
Heaven help you
Heard the news come on the radio
About the loves and the flame
I'd already heard before
Baby, two years ago
Say it's too hard to return
Now it seemed just like a dream
I saw and already seen it
On my TV screen
Now I could see all these conflicts goin' on
Don't you think you could show some thanks
I just might give you a standin' ovation
When I'm here and gone
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