UFO: Phenomenon (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

"Phenomenon" was a landmark album in UFO's career, a pivotal production that crystallised on vinyl one of the best collaborations of the 70s. Let's go back a few months, to 1973. The band, which was enjoying growing success in Germany, was due to play there. Their new guitarist, Bernie Marsden (later Whitesnake), couldn't make it, so Michael Schenker, guitarist for a young band that was unknown outside Germany, the Scorpions, was urgently recruited for the tour. The result exceeded all expectations, so much so that Schenker ended up taking part in what was to become UFO's legendary line-up.

The evolution from the first three releases is impressive. UFO went from fairly rudimentary hard rock, somewhere between boggie blues and psychedelic space, to melodic, elegant, bluesy, even metal 70s hard rock. "Phenomenon" contains two of the band's timeless classics, which can be found on every compilation and in every concert: 'Doctor Doctor', with its soaring intro and its unstoppable, timeless melody, and the magical 'Rock Bottom', a mix of brutal violence and sensuality. Two perfect tracks to showcase Schenker's characteristic playing and Mogg's unique voice.

But the album is not limited to these two legendary tracks. It's packed with ethereal ballads like 'Crystal Light', 'Space Child' and especially 'Time on My Hands', all of which demonstrate the talents of Schenker, whose guitar, a Flying V with an easily identifiable sound, can lead a melody simply supported by the solid rhythm of Way and Parker, or break free violently to open up the most chaste ears with greed. We should also mention Mogg's skills on the mic, one of the most beautiful voices in the genre, and the ease with which the two mates came up with superb melodies.

Each side of the vinyl disc opened with a bluesy, rhythmic hard rock track, 'Oh My' on side 1, and 'Too Young To No' on side 2. The album also contains a heavy but effective cover of Willie Dixon, 'Built For Comfort', and a pleasant but dispensable instrumental, 'Lipstick Traces'. "Phenomenon' closes with the highly successful 'Queen of The Deep', a mid-tempo track with soaring passages, some more rocking, and a well-honed bass line.

Signed by Chrysalis and produced by Leo Lyons of Ten Years After, 'Phenomenon' is the album of consecration for UFO. They were finally recognised at home and began to break through in the States. It may not have been their best album, but it was the one that forged their identity and style, from which other bands such as Iron Maiden, Metallica and Tesla drew inspiration. - Official website

UFO

PHENOMENON

CAPITOL

HARD ROCK