CD REVIEW: UFO – A Conspiracy Of Stars

Shane | 10 April 2015 | Reply

CD REVIEW: UFO – A Conspiracy Of Stars
SPV
23 February, 2015
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8/10

Whilst it’ll never feel completely right listening to UFO without Pete Way plunking away on the bass, the UK veterans’ third album without him is less a conspiracy of stars than an alignment of them.

As Phil Mogg sings in One And Only, “it ain’t over til it’s over… and it ain’t over yet,” and after forty five years recording and touring they’ve still got it.

In fact, Moggy’s voice has matured like a carefully barrelled fortified wine (rather than a crumbly cheese, which is the way it could have gone had the band’s legendary excesses not been brought in check) he’s in astonishing form by anyone’s standards, let alone for a sixty six year old.

Vinnie Moore has been UFO’s resident axeman since 2003 now, and he plays his butt off, delivering deliciously bluesy riffs and fiery soloing.

Precious Cargo’s tasteful playing might be bluesier than we remember classic Schenker-era UFO, but Moore has the same mastery of his tools, regardless of stylistic differences.

You have to understand that 2015 UFO isn’t the same animal as the young ‘70s band featuring Mad Mickey at the height of his powers. The likes of Run Boy Run and Sugar Cane and The Real Deal are more mature and restrained – less shoot-your-load-fast-and-run flash, more technique and stamina.

Whilst we won’t go so far to say that it’s BETTER, it IS indisputably up there standing tall.