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The Visitor is the twentieth studio album from UFO.
The album features Phil Mogg on vocals, Vinnie Moore on
guitars, Andy Parker on drums, Paul Raymond on keyboard/guitars.***
It’s been a long and interesting ride for UFO. Though
the band never gained the popularity of some of their classic
rock contemporaries, they were no less excellent. Hell,
they were better than most of the other bands of the era.
The band’s glory years came in the mid-seventies when Scorpions
guitar virtuoso Michael Schenker joined, and played on several
albums. Even after Schenker left, the band still managed
to remain excellent – and they’d even reunited with him
on and off again. More recently, he has left the band again,
but the group has found a suitable replacement in Vinnie
Moore. ***
So, how does The Visitor, the band’s twentieth album,
hold up? Is this a return to th e Schenker glory days sound,
or does it continue in the bluesy direction the band started
taking on recent albums? ---
Unfortunately, The Visitor not only continues in the
bluesy direction the band began taking on recent albums,
it features the band taking their sound FURTHER in that
direction. Why is it these awesome classic hard rock artists
(and UFO aren’t the only ones) seem to feel the need to
abandon their classic hard rock sounds in favor of something
bluesy? I was disappointed to see that this album wasn’t
a return to the sound that made me love the band in the
first place. Even when Michael Schenker left the first time,
the band was still able to sound great. So what’s with this
transition toward a bluesy sound? The Visitor is a solid
blues-rock album, but as a UFO album, it’s safe to say it
wasn’t worth the three-year wait. Fans will still want to
add it to their collection (and will likely enjoy it), but
it’s FOR FANS ONLY. ---
"Saving Me" – The album starts off in fine enough form.
A nice, blues-heavy rocker with some great guitar work from
Moore. This song was a great way to kick things off. ***
"On The Waterfront" – This one is a more traditional
blues song. Not a bad song by any means, but it just doesn’t
sound like a UFO song. ***
This one is a more traditional blues song. Not a bad
song by any means, but it just doesn’t sound like a UFO
song. ***
"Hell Driver" – Now this is a little more like it.
Some great hard rock riffs and a nice classic sound on this
song. All in all, one of the best songs on the album. ***
"Stop Breaking Down" – Another great song. It’s a nice
combination of a rocker and a ballad. Once again, one of
the best tracks the album has to offer. ***
"Rock Ready" – Ugh. Another one of those traditional
blues songs that sounds nothing like UFO. I’m glad to see
the band trying something different, but this goes just
a little too far in the bluesy direction. ***
"Living Proof" – One of the better songs featured here.
With its gloomy sound and riffs, and great instrumentation
from the band, it’s a stand-out track. I wouldn’t file it
under “UFO Classics” but it’s still one of the best songs
here. Still has that slight blues sound, but this one is
undeniably UFO. ***
"Can't Buy A Thrill" – Again, one of the great tunes.
Nice melodic stuff here combined with the blues sound the
band seems insistent on using these days. It’s one that
has to be heard to be appreciated. ***
"Forsaken" – A classic rock ballad of sorts. Born to
Lose this isn’t, but it’s still a terrific ballad, and a
song will probably, sadly, be forgotten. *** "Villains &
Thieves" – More straightforward hard rock. Still has a bit
too much of the blues sound, but all in all it’s a pretty
good rocker. ***
"Stranger In Town" – What better way to end the album
then with a solid rocker? While I wouldn’t call this the
best song on the album it does end things in decent enough
form. ***
Some versions of the album include “Dancing with St.
Peter” as a bonus track. ---
Final Words:
All in all, The Visitor is a disappointment, featuring
UFO continuing in the blues-oriented direction of their
recent albums. It’s a good album, with some damn good tunes,
but it just ain’t the UFO this reviewer knows and loves.
Here’s hoping their next album will be a return to roots.
Final verdict? The Visitor is for fans only.
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