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"With "Lights Out", and by showing a great eclecticism, UFO will give Hard Rock some of its most beautiful letters of nobility. Respect!"
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5/5
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1977, in the midst of a "no future" punk wave, but also in a period of economic slush, UFO released the well named "Lights Out". This is already the sixth studio album of our favorite aliens, and the progress started with the arrival of Michael Schenker on "Phenomenon" and that of a permanent keyboard on "No Heavy Petting" continues with the recording of several titles with orchestra. Exit the nice Dany Peyronel, welcome to ex-Savoy Brown, Paul Raymond. This one was especially noticed by Pete Way for his flexibility in knowing how to handle, in addition to keyboards, a guitar neck from time to time. Paul Raymond will be an undeniable asset to the band because he also combines the talents of a composer (even if he will not be credited on "Light Out"), and will even be able to perform some vocal parts (such as on "Alone Again Or").
"Lights Out" is rightly considered as a (if not the) highlight of UFO's career, both from the point of view of critics and popular success. It is indeed the LP that will open the doors of success for them in the United States. And that's not surprising, because it's full of catchy and deep compositions at the same time. More than the composition of a melodic hard rock album, it is a real work of goldsmith and balancing act that the quintet has done. No two tracks are the same, all have their own personalities and offer a different facet of hard rock.
The record opens with "Too Hot To Handle", a rock boogie with well-crafted riffs and solos, many breaks and a purring bass, ideal for warming up the room. It's the first track, and it's already a classic. Tension is rising with a fabulous composition by Phil Mogg, "Just Another Suicide". It is here that the first notes played by Paul Raymond appear and also the first strings distilled with precision. It is a delicacy, not especially hard, with a complex but memorable structure and melody. All the instruments are of diabolical accuracy, Schenker's solos are well highlighted, and the bass is always incredible.
A short break with "Try Me", where the strings are put forward, without being too intrusive. Mogg's beautiful and plaintive voice tries to soften us up, but it is finally Schenker who will tear us apart, with a solo of anthology. Barely time to dry them, and it's "Lights Out"! No more crying, no more laughing, "no more nice time"; a suffocating smell of anarchy invades us, undoubtedly, a penetrating smell of molten metal devastates us. The steamroller will only stop when he has given birth to this great UFO classic.
Follow the very catchy "Gettin' Ready" that opens the second side (we are in the time of vinyl), followed by the whirling cover of the psychedelic band Love, "Alone Again Or", with string and orchestra. Great Pop-Hard!
The work ends with two major pieces, "Electric Phase" and "Love To Love". The first one develops a hypnotic rhythmic, with skinned guitars and tortured keyboards. An underrated track from UFO and of which I unfortunately don't know a live version. And then there's this "Love To Love". It is a monument of emotion, built in stages of intensity, like a desperate road movie scenario. All musicians are put in the foreground by Ron Nevison's production (again this bass!), all are simply in the service of music. And the support provided by the orchestra, which breaks down a few classical notes, further amplifies their power and lengthens their scope. Deep Purple had its "Child In Time", Uriah Heep its "July Morning", Led Zeppelin its "Stairway To Heaven", UFO will now have its "Love To Love".
With "Lights Out", and by showing a great eclecticism, UFO will give Hard Rock some of its most beautiful letters of nobility. Respect! - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Too Hot To Handle – 3:37 02. Just Another Suicide – 4:58 03. Try Me – 4:49 04. Lights Out – 4:33 05. Gettin' Ready – 3:46 06. Alone Again Or – 3:00 07. Electric Phase – 4:20 08. Love To Love - 7:39
LINEUP:
Andy Parker: Batterie Michael Schenker: Guitares Paul Raymond: Guitares / Claviers Pete Way: Basse Phil Mogg: Chant
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