UFO
A Conspiracy of Stars Label: SPV
Release Date:23rd Feb
"A Conspiracy Of Stars" presents UFO's current lineup for the first time: along with the original members Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (keyboards, guitar) and Andy Parker (drums), lead guitarist Vinnie Moore who has been a permanent member of the band since 2003, American bassist Rob De Luca joining the fold in 2012.
The new UFO album is full to the brim with muscular riffs, characteristic hooks, perceptive lyrics and that generally relaxed attitude.
Opening with "Killing Kind" the band, like a fine wine ,continue to grow stronger and more unique with age, so here, unleashed is the bluesy Hard Rock that UFO are so well known for now adays, With some exceptional guitarmanship from Moore the album opener bodes well for the remainder of the album, and boy it does not disappoint in the least "Run Boy Run" is a smoking number with some mega riffs and licks delivered throughout , this is a highlight, its catchy and flies into UFOS history as a classic.
Next the Blues and chilling by the Bayou come to mind as "Ballad of The Left Hand Gun" floats into the room, with telling lyrics and bar room tales , its Bluesy and infectious. Moggs voice is raspy and still hitting those notes as "Sugar Cane" delivers more blinding guitar manship , Moore sure knows how to mix up the blues with some Metallic riffing, Parker works his drums like a twenty something, not a man approaching his senior years! As Paul Raymond on Keyboards / Guitar keeps the rhytmn and De Luca sure helps deliver the blues.
I simply love the chugging guitar halfway through "Sugarcane", an exceptional six minutes and twelve seconds of your life!
The rootsy vibe continues as "Devils in The Detail" mixes some clever lyrics, with an awesome sound showing exactly why this band are still going strong in 2015 for instance On the scorching "Precious Cargo’, Mogg sings "The scatter rollers coming down, summers been and turned around, it don’t seem so long ago, that you were my precious cargo" Mogg is not able to hit the high notes of yesteryear as much, but still shows he can work those vocal chords real hard on "Real Deal".
"One and Only" is more keyboard driven and took some getting into to be honest, but it grows on you, and fits in well with the rest of the album although I would say its the weakest track.
"Messiah of Love" is a captivating and bewitching song with the lyrics "I got a kiss like a killer bee" you cant go wrong really can you! I love the rootsy and earthy deep grooves , good time rocking is what this band deliver , hard to believe the bands ages combined are over 200!
These guys could teach the music industry some tricks! "Rolling Rolling" wheels in and rocks, with some killer guitar manship.
Bonus track on the Digi Pack version is the Rocking "King of The Hill" indeed UFO are Kings of Hard Rock its 45 years later UFO are still going strong, And long may it continue.
The band head out soon on tour, make sure you catch them live and grab a hold of the new album, ( which is avaliable in many different formats) and reach for the Stars!
Review : Seb Di Gatto Score:9/10
Tracklisting:
01. The Killing Kind
02. Run Boy Run
03. Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun
04. Sugar Cane
05. Devils In The Detail
06. Precious Cargo
07. The Real Deal
08. One And Only
09. Messiah Of Love
10. Rolling Rolling
11. King Of The Hill (bonus track) Facebook Twitter Website
Tour Dates
Thu 16th April Norwich – Waterfront
Fri 17th April Cambridge – Junction
Sat 18th April Wolverhampton – Wulfrun Hall
Sun 19th April Manchester – Ritz
Tue 21st April Dublin – The Academy
Wed 22nd April Belfast – The Limelight
Fri 24th April Glasgow – O2 ABC
Sat 25th April Newcastle – O2 Academy
Sun 26th April Leeds – O2 Academy
Tue 28th April Nottingham – Rock City
Thu 30th April Bristol – O2 Academy
Fri 1st May Falmouth – Pavilion
Sat 2nd May Exeter – Phoenix
Sun 3rd May Salisbury – City Hall
Tue 5th May Brighton – Concorde 2
Wed 6th May Oxford – O2 Academy
Thu 7th May London – HMV Forum
