Music review: UFO – 鈥楢 Conspiracy of Stars鈥�
It鈥檚 no secret that I am a huge UFO fan.
Not the unidentified flying object of the alien nature, but the English rock band that has been pounding out teeth-rattling rock arrangements since 1969.
The band鈥檚 1979 crushing performance captured on 鈥淪trangers in the Night鈥� is still considered by many rock critics (myself included) as one of the finest live rock albums of all time.
I attended my very first UFO concert during high school.
After delivering a barrage of classic tracks like 鈥淟ights Out,鈥� 鈥淒octor Doctor,鈥� 鈥淩ock Bottom鈥� and 鈥淭oo Hot to Handle,鈥� I would eventually end up owning the band鈥檚 entire discography as well as attempt to catch a show whenever the band would rumble into town.
鈥淎 Conspiracy of Stars鈥� is yet another solid performance from smoldering start to fervent finish.
Frontman Phil Mogg leads the way as he follows the same tested and true blues and rock formula that has made UFO legendary.
The scrappy Mogg has always struck me as the type of guy who would have your back in a bar brawl or back alley confrontation.
The 66-year-old singer can still deliver the goods with a gritty, commanding voice that provides plenty of muscle to the simmering lyrics and potent musical assault provided by guitarist Vinnie Moore, keyboardist Paul Raymond, bassist Rob De Luca and drummer Andy Parker.
After 46 years, the band鈥檚 offerings still sound fresh, vibrant and relevant.
鈥淭he Killing Kind鈥� opens the album in blistering fashion with Moore鈥檚 opening guitar riffs ushering in Parker鈥檚 thundering drumming and Mogg鈥檚 menacing vocals.
Moore鈥檚 guitar prowess is front and center on the hard-driving 鈥淩un Boy Run鈥� and 鈥淏allad of the Left Hand Gun.鈥�
Mogg鈥檚 soulful, gutsy vocals assertively fuel the ominous 鈥淒evil鈥檚 in the Details鈥� and boisterous 鈥淢essiah of Love.鈥� Acclaimed producer Chris Tsangarides accentuates the veteran band鈥檚 confident swagger on robust rockers like 鈥淭he Real Deal鈥� and 鈥淥ne and Only,鈥� while also showcasing a softer side on the melodic 鈥淧recious Cargo.鈥�
鈥淎 Conspiracy of Stars鈥� contains enough of a spark to keep UFO flying high for another few years.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.